The Brussels conditions for opening the chapter 35 relating to the normalization of relations with Kosovo, based on which should begin negotiations with the EU, are almost “impossible” for Serbia, because many of them go deep into the status of Kosovo. Moreover, together with 11 requests from Brussels arrived even list of recommended responses, which would satisfy the EU.
According to our information, there are eleven demands on which insists Berlin, which officially present the implementation of the Brussels Agreement, but the fulfillment of some of them actually supports the independence of Kosovo. The daily claimed that Berlin and Brussels demanded (1)the Statute of the Community of Serb Municipalities to be in line with the Kosovo laws, (2) an agreement on the international phone code for Kosovo to be reached, (3) system of civil defense to be integrated into Kosovo system, (4) constructed facilities to be built on the border crossings, (5) the agreement on energy to be implemented, (6) so-called Peace Park placed on the bridge in Kosovska Mitrovica to be removed, (7) illegal trafficking across the illegal border crossings to be prevented, (8) Kosovo passports to be accepted in Serbia, (9) participation of Pristina in all regional forums to be accepted, (10) Kosovo authorities to be given control over the Gazivode and Galac power substations, and (11) the local self-managements to be completely integrated into Kosovo system.
Belgrade therefore launched comprehensive diplomatic action, at many European addresses, in order to alleviate and reformulate the Brussels recommendations, based on which depends the opening of the first chapter.
Minister for EU Jadranka Joksimovic said that negotiating position for Chapter 32 has been prepared, and that it can be opened by the end of this year, or in January next year. Belgrade is also preparing action plans for chapters 23 and 24: “Regarding Chapter 35, i.e. continued implementation of the Brussels agreement, we implement our share of responsibility to the highest possible extent. I do not think that the attitude of Germany is directed against us, but it is a different approach to the negotiations. We are in contact with representatives of the Bundestag and Germany, and I believe that we will find acceptable solution.”
Aleksandar Senić, head of the Parliamentary Committee for European Integration, said for Vecernje Novosti that Germany’s MFA a few days ago issued a statement that Germany will not give up their positions. As he claims the opening of negotiations on chapters can be expected in early spring.
Analyst Dragoljub Andjelkovic claims that it is true that we were not asked officially and explicitly to recognize Kosovo. “But it is also true that the German aggressive approach towards Serbian policy on Kosovo, as the ultimate goal, has the request to accept independence. I think it would be good if president Nikolić would continue to hold harder approach towards Berlin. On the other side Vucic should leave open door towards the Brussels, because of the countries such as France or Italy, which support us,” he said.
