REL: The epilogue of the dialogue with mutual recognition between Kosovo and Serbia, also the goal of the EU

For the normalization of relations between the two countries, a dialogue has been taking place in Brussels for more than 11 years under the mediation of the European bloc, but this process has so far not brought the parties so close that it can be said that they are close to reaching an agreement. final agreement.

The President of Serbia, Aleksandar Vuçi., Has expressed his surprise at the frequent statements that the dialogue should end with mutual recognition. The Serbian leader said that he knew that this was the position of the West, but so far no one has said it officially.

Kosovo insists that dialogue should include mutual recognition, while Serbia seeks a compromise solution.

But diplomats in the European Union claim that leaders in Serbia, since the beginning of the dialogue with Kosovo, have known that comprehensive normalization would mean “a kind of recognition”.

On June 10, during a visit to Kosovo, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz stated that the final agreement should resolve the recognition of the Kosovo issue. For EU diplomats, this is an understandable position, as Germany has recognized Kosovo as a state.

The same position that the dialogue should be concluded with mutual recognition was expressed in Pristina by the Austrian Foreign Minister, Alexander Schallenberg.

Whereas, for the first time in a report on Serbia, the European Parliament has included an amendment which states that the basis of the agreement for the comprehensive normalization of relations between Kosovo and Serbia should be mutual recognition.

Some of the EU countries that have not recognized Kosovo’s independence have said that they have taken this position due to “respect for international law”. But, after the opinion of the International Court of Justice that the declaration of independence of Kosovo has not violated international law, they said that they will follow the dialogue and “will accept any result that will be achieved in the dialogue.”

The EU says that the only reason they can not mention recognition as a goal of dialogue is the fact that there are still five countries in the EU that have not recognized Kosovo.

“Although this can not be said officially and publicly, everyone in the EU knows that a situation in which two countries will not recognize each other can not be called normalization,” an EU source told Radio Free Europe. .
For example, the EU has repeatedly said that dialogue should ensure the comprehensive normalization of relations that would enable both sides to advance on their respective European path. Even this wording, diplomats say, makes it clear “to understand how the conclusion of the dialogue is seen.”

Another EU diplomat who spoke to Radio Free Europe on condition of anonymity also recalled the wording found in the EU’s negotiating framework with Serbia. It does not talk about “relations between Belgrade and Pristina”, a wording mentioned by Serbia, but about “relations between Kosovo and Serbia”.

The normalization of relations with Kosovo, through a legally binding agreement is a condition for Serbia to join the EU.

“This process should ensure that both sides can continue their respective European path, avoiding that anyone could block the other in these efforts and should gradually lead to the comprehensive normalization of relations between Serbia and Kosovo, in the form of a legally binding agreement until Serbia’s EU membership, with the expectation that both will be able to exercise their rights and fulfill their obligations“, It is said in the framework which is the basis of the EU for membership negotiations with Serbia.

“If this is read carefully, then it is clear that this means recognition, without mentioning it.”says an EU diplomat for Radio Free Europe.

Attitudes about whether or not dialogue should necessarily conclude with mutual recognition are also built on the basis of the countries from which officials or diplomats come. Some diplomats from countries that have not recognized Kosovo say that “it does not necessarily mean that recognition is the only purpose of dialogue”.

The rapporteur for Serbia in the European Parliament, Vladimir Bilicik, has also opposed the inclusion of the reference for mutual recognition as a goal of the dialogue. This diplomat comes from Slovakia, a country that has not recognized Kosovo and said that his country has not given signals that he will change his position.

Bilicik acknowledged that he was against the mention of recognition, but also claimed that the inclusion in the European Parliament’s report on Serbia of the recognition amendment represents the will of the majority in the EU.

The increasingly frequent statements of senior officials from EU countries, especially those of influence, such as the Chancellor of Germany, may be signs that the dialogue needs to be accelerated and a final agreement reached.

EU sources say that “there are differences in approach between some countries on whether to insist more on recognition, and this would help reach agreements on other things in the dialogue, or some agreements should be reached through which “A trust would be established between the parties, which would lead to recognition.”

The problem lies in the fact that in the last two years there has been, as diplomats say, “limited progress”, and some even say that “there has been no progress at all” in the dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia.

But the calls of the European Parliament, although they have a political weight, are not expected to have any impact on countries that have not recognized Kosovo. The five EU member states that have not recognized Kosovo are: Spain, Romania, Slovakia, Cyprus and Greece.

“Recognition is a competence of member countries. We do not expect the calls of the European Parliament to have any impact. “If there was, until now the member states would recognize Kosovo as a state, as the European Parliament constantly demands such a thing”, says an EU diplomat.

EU officials involved in relations with the Western Balkans region are very careful when talking about recognition between Kosovo and Serbia. They fear that any of their statements could be misunderstood by any party and could have a negative impact on the dialogue process.

Some diplomatic sources from countries that have not recognized Kosovo, said that they have heard from EU representatives that “non-recognition by the five countries is a good thing for the EU involvement as a facilitator in the dialogue, as it can be presented as a impartial mediator ”.

As long as there are countries in the EU that do not recognize Kosovo, the EU can not say publicly and formally that the purpose of recognizing Kosovo. But EU sources in Brussels say “it is very clear what comprehensive normalization means, with legally binding agreements”. As in other cases, during the dialogue process, the parties have different interpretations of what the ultimate goal of the dialogue is.

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