Dialogue remains the key condition that Kosovo and Serbia progress towards the European Union, while lack of progress will have political and economic costs. This is said, among other things, in annual drafts for Kosovo and Serbia, that the European Commission will publish on November 4th.
For Serbia, it reportedly acted contrary to its obligations, including the lobby against Kosovo’s membership in international organisations, particularly the Council of Europe and Interpol, writes RTK.
According to the draft, these repeated actions and rhetoric of Serbian officials have continued to undermine normalisation. Serbia is also criticised for not taking any important steps to ensure accountability for the attack on Banjska in September 2023.
The situation in the north is estimated calm but fragile. Kosovo is burdened with repeatedly taking actions contrary to obligations from the dialogue, including police shares on Serbia-backed structures.
The draft mentions that there has been no progress towards establishing the Association of Serb majority municipalities. Kosovo is invited to start this process, in line with obligations from the dialogue.
For the status of structures supported by Serbia in Kosovo, the draft stresses that it should be addressed according to Kosovo’s dialogue and law agreements, rather than by uncoordinated measures.
The EU requires structured consultations with Kosovo Serbs and close co-operation with the EU Special Representative for Dialogue.
For the bridge over the Iber River, the EU estimates it should be opened, but better co-ordination between municipalities and central institutions is needed.
According to the draft, Kosovo has not noted progress in the fundamental areas, while the functioning of institutions has been hampered by political fragmentation.
The signal where the truth speaks before the news!
Source Layer: Signal
