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The European Union expresses “grave concern and regret” over Belgrade’s commitment to transfer the Israeli embassy to Jerusalem, casting a shadow on the resumption of talks between Serbia and Kosovo, reported AFP.
Serbian President Alexander Vucic and Kosovo Prime Minister Avdula Hoti meet today in Brussels for a second round of EU-mediated face-to-face talks to resolve disputes two decades after the conflict in the war.
The meeting follows talks at the White House, where Vucic and Hotti signed statements agreeing on measures to improve economic relations, and in the case of Serbia, they pledged to move their embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.
Trump announced a “breakthrough” in the normalization of relations between Serbia and Kosovo
However, there are still many differences between Serbia and Kosovo
The EU remains committed to the so-called “two-state solution”, in which Jerusalem will be the capital of both Israel and a future Palestinian state, and its diplomatic mission is in Tel Aviv.
The community is waiting future members like Serbia to align with their foreign policy positions.
“In this context, any diplomatic measure that may call into question the EU common position on Jerusalem, Cause worry and regret“EU foreign affairs spokesman Peter Stano told reporters in Brussels.
Breaking years of diplomatic practice, the administration of US President Donald Trump in December 2017 recognized Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and moved the US embassy to the city.
Washington called the agreements signed by Vucic and Hotti on Friday a breakthrough, but today the two leaders issued a joint statement. much more cautious.
In the White House, Serbia and Kosovo are negotiating economic relations
This will be the second diplomatic success of the Trump administration
“The documents recently agreed in Washington, which are based on previous dialogue commitments made by both parties, could make a useful contribution to reaching a comprehensive and legally binding agreement to normalize relations,” the statement said.
In one of the most unresolved disputes in Europe, Serbia refused to recognize Kosovo’s declaration of independence after the province was separated in the bloody war of 1998-1999, which ended only after NATO’s bombardment of Serbian troops. .
Both Kosovo and Serbia face increasing pressure from the West to resolve the deadlock, which is seen as crucial for the two countries’ accession to the EU.
The war killed more than 13,000 people, mostly Kosovo Albanians, who make up the majority in the former Serbian province.
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One of the key issues is the diplomatic recognition of Kosovo: five of the 27 EU countries do not recognize its independence.
The two countries have been negotiating under EU leadership for a decade to normalize relations, but little progress has been made, with a set of agreements reached in 2013 to be fully implemented and the previous round of talks dissolved in 2018. г .
Vucic and Hoti resumed face-to-face talks in Brussels in July, but the attempts started cold, with the Serbian leader accusing Pristina of trying to “blackmail” Belgrade.
EU Foreign Minister Josep Borrell, who is organizing talks in Brussels with EU special envoy Miroslav Lajcak, said today’s meeting will focus on “minority communities and settling mutual financial claims on the property”.
“Both issues are very sensitive and very important for the future relations between Kosovo and Serbia and for the daily life of their peoples,” Borel said.
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