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| The flags of Serbia, Kosovo and the EU in the form of pazel |
Member states of the European Union will propose urgently that the negotiation framework for Serbia's accession to the bloc includes the implementation of the Agreement on the normalization of relations with Kosovo and all obligations from past agreements within the dialogue, Euronews reports.
This proposal is expected to be made at the meeting of the General Affairs Council in Brussels on December 12. The Council is expected to request the European Commission and the European External Action Service (EEAS) to urgently propose the inclusion of the implementation of obligations from the dialogue on the normalization of relations in Chapter 35 of the negotiation framework for Serbia's accession to the EU.
Radio Free Europe has had access to the draft conclusions prepared for this meeting, which call on Serbia to unconditionally implement all obligations from the agreement within the dialogue for the normalization of Kosovo-Serbia relations, mediated by the EU and supported by the United States.
"The Council calls on the European Commission and the High Representative [for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell] to urgently propose before the Council, by the end of January 2024, a change in the criteria in Chapter 35 for Serbia's accession to the EU," the document states.
Specifically, the inclusion of the obligation for the normalization of relations with Kosovo in the negotiation framework for accession to the EU has been mentioned by high-ranking officials of the bloc as a way to make the agreement reached in Brussels on February 27 and later on March 18 in Ohrid, including its annex for implementation, "legally binding."
The agreement, consisting of 11 points, among other things, foresees a level of self-governance for the Serbian community in Kosovo and mutual recognition of state symbols, while requiring Pristina and Belgrade to implement all previous agreements of the dialogue.
So far, the negotiation framework has not been formally changed.
EU ministers are expected to approve the conclusions of the December 12 meeting, and they must also be approved by the leaders of the EU at the European Council summit scheduled for December 14 and 15.
In the draft conclusions for Serbia, once again, Belgrade will be urged to fully cooperate in bringing to justice those responsible for the attacks on civilians and KFOR (NATO's peacekeeping mission in Kosovo) soldiers during the violent protest by local Serbs on May 29 in Zvecan, northern Kosovo.
Serbia is also required to bring to justice the attackers of the Kosovo Police on September 24 in Banjska.
During the attack, which Kosovo considers terrorist and blames Serbia for, teenager Afrim Bunjaku was killed. Three Serbian attackers were also killed during the armed clashes on September 24.
Milan Radojicic, former deputy leader of the Serbian List, the main party of Serbs in Kosovo supported by Serbia, took responsibility for the attack. Belgrade, however, has denied involvement in the attack.
"The Council reiterates that there is no justification for violence and strongly condemns acts of violence by Serbian protesters against citizens, KFOR troops, law enforcement personnel, and the media on May 29, 2023, and the violent attacks on the Kosovo Police on September 24, 2023, in northern Kosovo," the document states.
In the section addressing Serbia's obligations to take measures to bring to justice the perpetrators of crimes, the Council "expresses regret that Serbia has not taken sufficient steps in this direction."
According to the draft conclusions, the Council calls on Serbia to engage in the dialogue mediated by the EU "with good will and in the spirit of compromise to reach a comprehensive, legally binding agreement with Kosovo for the normalization of relations, in accordance with international law and EU laws, without further delays. This agreement should address all key outstanding issues and contribute to the stability of the region," the document states.