According to the Brussels agreement, Pristina was obliged to approve the Statute of the Association / Community of Serb Municipalities (A/CSM) until 25 December last year. However, so far, was not written even single letter of the Statute. From the last meeting between Vučić and Mustafa held in January, Serbs from Kosovo are not closer to the A/CSM even for a millimetre. Meanwhile Pristina, step by step, fortify the self-proclaimed independence. Kosovo was admitted in UEFA, FIFA, and is on the way to receive visa free regime with EU. In addition, Washington is “pushing” Kosovo to the Interpol and the Partnership for Peace. In the last four months Serbs are awaiting fulfilment of the weak promises of Federica Mogherini and Ulrike Lunacek that they will have the A/CSM, which should give them legal protection in Kosovo.
What will bring a new round of talks between Belgrade and Pristina, which is expected to be held in mid-July, a month after the formation of the Government of Serbia?
Serbian delegation will insist on the full implementation of the Brussels agreement, including the establishment of the A/ZSO, while Kosovo Prime Minister Isa Mustafa believes that this is not an issue for the resumption of talks. He says that the priority of the next round of talks will be the demarcation of the border between Serbia and Kosovo, what the Serbian side categorically refuse. All this indicates to which extent the agreements between Belgrade and Pristina are fragile, particularly given the fact that three years after the Brussels agreement nothing has been done in relation to the establishment of A/CSM. That part of the agreement is essential for Belgrade, but also for the Kosovo Serbs.
Disrespect of the commitments from the Brussels Agreement is reflected in the best way by the fact that according to the point 2 of the General Principles, Pristina should adopt decree on the inclusion of the A/CSM in the legal system of Kosovo. Although almost nine months passed since the agreement was reached, the commitments were not implemented. The situation was additionally complicated by the decision of the Kosovo Constitutional Court, which decided that general principles are not in full compliance with the “spirit” of the Kosovo constitution.
When Pristina officials lacks good excuses for the non–implementation of the agreements, European Union openly help them. That’s how few days ago EU Special Representative Samuel Žbogar said that there is a fear from A/CSM on both sides. He even added that that fact should be considered in the process of drafting the statute which should be acceptable for all and which will serve to the empowerment of Kosovo.
