EU's proposal important step towards normalization with Serbia: Kosovo PM

BELGRADE, Serbia

Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti Thursday said that the European Union's proposal is an important step towards normalization with Serbia.

"The agreement talks about equality, respect for territorial integrity, removal of obstacles to independence and membership in international organizations, as well as the exchange of diplomatic missions, state symbols, and passports (recognition). It is an important step towards improving relations between Kosovo and Serbia," said Kurti.

Memli Krasniqi, Chairman of the opposition Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK), emphasized that there are only a few days left until the signing of the EU plan.

The next round of dialogue for the normalization of relations between Serbia and Kosovo will be held in North Macedonia later this month.
Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic previously said he expects talks to resume on March 18 as the EU aims to have some sort of progress by March 24.

The EU announced earlier this week that Serbia and Kosovo have agreed to sign a proposal to normalize ties after a meeting between Vucic and Kosovo's Prime Minister Albin Kurti.

Serbia-Kosovo dialogue

Launched in 2011, the EU-led Belgrade-Pristina Dialogue aims to find a mutually agreeable solution for disputes in the framework of a legally binding agreement.

Following a flareup in border tensions last summer, Lajcak presented the bloc's latest proposal on normalizing relations in September.

The EU requires Kosovo and Serbia to reach a final agreement and resolve disputes to progress in their integration into the bloc.

Most UN member states, including the US, UK, France, Germany, and Türkiye, recognized Kosovo as a country separate after it declared independence from Serbia 15 years ago.

Serbia, though, continues to regard it as its territory.

Vucic said in October that Germany and France had offered to expedite Serbia's EU membership process if it recognized Kosovo's independence and allowed it to become a member of international organizations.

According to the leaked proposal, Kosovo should, for its part, allow the establishment of a union of Serbian municipalities in the north, where many ethnic Serbs live.

EU officials hope to complete negotiations on the plan this spring, with Brussels facilitating the talks.