Negotiation teams of Belgrade and Pristina agreed in principle about the manner of mutual recognition of university diplomas, however the text of the agreement will undergo further harmonization.
The agreement on mutual recognition was published late Wednesday at the web page of the Serbian Government’s Office for Kosovo and Metohija, however on Thursday morning it was withdrawn for further harmonization, following the request of all three sides – Brussels, Belgrade and Pristina.
Final version, of the first draft dated 2011, is due to be harmonized at the first following meeting in Brussels at the ministerial level. Provisions that were published for a short period of time provide that European University Association (EUA) will mediate in mutual recognition of diplomas. With the EUA certificate further procedure will be the same as for any other country, whereas individual faculties will be in charge when it comes to recognition of such diplomas for further education. When it comes to recognition of such diplomas with regard to employment, entity in charge will be ENIK/NARIK center, operating within the Ministry of Education, which has been inaugurated on Thursday.
Recognition of diplomas, obtained anywhere in the world not only in Pristina, through accelerated and simplified procedure in a novelty in Serbia. So far it was a lengthy and expensive procedure with unpredictable outcome, whereas current procedure should last maximum 90 days.
