A new round of the Brussels negotiations between Belgrade and Pristina will be held on 16 and 17 November, Danas unofficially learns from diplomatic sources.
The interlocutors of the daily Danas say that the main topics of discussion will be freedom of movement and the implementation of previously reached agreement on “permanent facilities, in connection to the integrated management of crossings.”
Danas writes that its sources expect this time “at least a small step forward.” In this context, they remind that the official Brussels had expected that during September and October, when several rounds of technical talks were held, would be reached agreements on the implementation of agreements in areas such as telecommunications and energy, but it did not happen.
In the opinion of the interlocutors, if the next meeting between representatives of Belgrade and Pristina ends with agreement then Serbia’s chances to open new chapters in December will increase.
The interlocutors of Danas believe that the recent arrests of Hilmi Kelmendi, Kosovo police lieutenant colonel, and Nehat Thaçi, Kosovo police director for the region of Mitrovica, will not “to a greater extent, affect the continuation of the Brussels dialogue.” They also claim that the arrest of Kelmendi and Thaci do not constitute retaliation of Belgrade for the arrest of Oliver Ivanović, leader of the civil initiative SPD. The sources also say that they do not exclude the possibility that Ivanović’s punishment will be reduced, who was sentenced to nine years in prison for war crimes.
