• U.S. welcomes progress on path to Kosovo-Serbia normalization (media)
• Escobar: Discussions about the Association should start immediately (RFE)
• Lajcak, Escobar meet to coordinate steps for next high-level meeting(Koha)
• Lajcak to visit Kosovo soon to discuss implementation modalities (Koha)
• EU spokesperson reveals details of Kurti-Vucic meeting(media)
• Kosovo, Serbia OK EU Plan, ‘But Devil Is in the Details,’ Analysts Say (VoA)
• Countries welcome positive developments between Kosovo and Serbia (media)
• U.S.endorses EU plan to ease Serbia-Kosovo tensions (Independent)
• Opposition parties criticise agreement on normalisation plan (BIRN)
• Tensions simmer despite leaders' tacit approval of EU plan (Euronews)
• Serwer: Put away the carrots and take out the sticks(Peacefare.net)
• Bancroft: Serbia-Kosovo - the devil is in the implementation (Euractiv)
• Boycott of Serbian products picks up steam but imports remain high (Euractiv)

U.S. welcomes progress on path to Kosovo-Serbia normalization (media)

The U.S. State Department has welcomed the talks between Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti and Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic on Monday in Brussels. In a press release on Tuesday, the State Department said the establishment of the Association of Serb-majority municipalities remains critical to building the future of Kosovo as a sovereign country.

“The United States welcomes the leaders’ talks under the EU-facilitated Dialogue on February 27 and strongly supports the process of normalization of their relations.  Yesterday’s meeting was a good step forward, but difficult work remains. Agreement on the implementation annex is essential to normalization under the EU proposal.  Progress towards establishing the Association of Serb-majority Municipalities remains critical to building Kosovo’s future as a sovereign, multiethnic and independent country integrated into Euro-Atlantic structures,” the statement reads.

Escobar: Discussions about the Association should start immediately (RFE)

U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of State and envoy for the Western Balkans, Gabriel Escobar, said on Tuesday the Association of Serb-majority municipalities is an obligation that must be implemented. “This request is presented in the Brussels agreement. There is expectation that it will be formed. Our position is that it needs to be formed in a way that is a win for both parties,” Escobar said in an online conversation with journalists.

Asked if Kosovo has deadlines to form the Association, Escobar said the question is how soon it will be formed. “I believe that with this basic agreement, Kosovo has understood that it must form [the Association]. I don’t want to set deadlines, but I want to say that the discussion should start immediately,” he said.

Kosovo and Serbia, within the framework of the Brussels dialogue, have reached two agreements for the Association, in 2013 and 2015. However, the Constitutional Court has found that the last agreement is not in full harmony with the Constitution.

Serbia insists on the establishment of the Association, but the Government of Kosovo opposes a mono-ethnic association, which it says could create a new level of power.

Senior U.S. officials have previously stated that they will not allow the formation of a Republika Srpska in Kosovo.

Faced with pressure from the international community to form the Association, Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti in February presented six conditions for the formation of this body. He requested that the Association not be monoethnic, to change its name and for it not to have any executive powers.

Escobar said he hopes that Kosovo and Serbia will implement the agreement which they reached on February 27 in Brussels. “We hope not to use sticks, but carrots. And they are clear. Not only do they come closer to peaceful relations, but the path to European integration is also opened. We hope that both parties will fulfill their obligations,” he said.

Asked about the possible challenges in implementing the agreement, Escobar said that some are political, others are administrative. “I don't want to comment on future discussions, but the basic agreement foresees the steps towards normalization. There are obstacles, but there are also opportunities. I hope that we will find ways to implement it as a whole, including that for the Association, and some other issues such as those for license plates, diplomas, and others".

Read more at: https://bit.ly/3Y7T8lo

Lajcak, Escobar meet to coordinate steps for next high-level meeting (Koha)

EU Special Representative for the dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia, Miroslav Lajcak, and U.S. envoy for the Western Balkans, Gabriel Escobar, met in Brussels on Tuesday, one day after the high-level meeting between Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti and Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic.

Lajcak said they have coordinated the next steps for the next meeting which is expected to be held in March. “After yesterday’s high-level meeting, Escobar and I sat down to coordinate the next steps for the next meeting. We agreed on the importance of implementation modalities and the need to implement all existing dialogue agreements,” Lajcak tweeted.

Lajcak to visit Kosovo soon to discuss implementation modalities (Koha)

EU Special Representative for the dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia, Miroslav Lajcak, met on Tuesday with Kosovo’s Deputy Prime Minister, Besnik Bislimi. Lajcak tweeted after the meeting: “Followed up on yesterday’s Dialogue meeting with DPM Besnik Bislimi. Looking forward to my visit to Kosovo soon to discuss implementation modalities. Highlighted the importance of agreeing on the implementation annex to guarantee that everything agreed will be implemented”.

EU spokesperson reveals details of Kurti-Vucic meeting (media)

Spokesman for the European Union, Peter Stano, confirmed on Tuesday that leaders of Kosovo and Serbia approved on Monday the EU’s proposal for the normalization of relations. “What was agreed at the meeting is that there is no need for further discussions on the content, on the text of the proposal and that we will work with the parties on implementation. Of course, we as the EU will help them. We will continue our relief efforts. They approved the proposal. They agreed that there is no need for further discussions about the document and that we can move on to the next phase,” Stano told a press conference.

Stano said that work is being done on the modalities for the implementation of the EU document. He also said that by mid-March another high-level meeting is expected to be held when parties will discuss implementation of the agreement. “In this spirit, we reminded both parties, as in earlier cases, that we expect implementation of past agreements as soon as possible,” he added.

Kosovo, Serbia OK EU Plan, ‘But Devil Is in the Details,’ Analysts Say (VoA)

Kosovo and Serbia have agreed to back a proposed European Union plan for normalization of relations, but, in a sign of persisting differences about its implementation, stopped short of signing it.

The plan — revealed for the first time publicly Monday evening in Brussels — includes steps to bring the parties closer and resolve some issues such as mutual recognition of respective documents and national symbols, including passports, diplomas, license plates, and customs stamps. It also stipulates that Serbia “will not object to Kosovo’s membership in any international organization.”

The document, however, does not call for Serbia’s recognition of Kosovo’s statehood.

The talks between Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic and Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti were held under the auspices of the European Union. The bloc’s foreign policy chief, Josep Borrell, told reporters after the meeting that “progress was made.”

"At the same time, more work is needed to ensure that what was accepted today by the parties will be implemented,” he said.

Whether the agreement of parties to the document is a significant achievement is not immediately clear, but some analysts are taking an optimistic view.

“I think one can confidently say that despite the absence of a signature, the glass is more than half full. I would say it's three-quarters full,” Charles Kupchan of the Council on Foreign Relations told VOA. “I do feel that the parties have passed through some kind of important political inflection point. They are heading toward the finish line.”

Read more at: https://bit.ly/3kBMwhf

Countries welcome positive developments between Kosovo and Serbia (media)

The French Ministry of Foreign Affairs welcomed the decision of Kosovo and Serbia to accept the European proposal on normalization of relations. “After the meeting held yesterday (Monday) in Brussels under the leadership of the EU foreign policy chief Josep Borell, Serbia and Kosovo reached an agreement in principle on the European proposal, which is a basic agreement aimed at normalizing relations between the two countries. France welcomes this brave decision by the two countries,” the Ministry said in a statement. “Now we expect Serbia and Kosovo to engage without reservations and with the same spirit of compromise in the implementation of this agreement, which is essential for the stability of the Western Balkans. All the agreements reached so far within the EU-facilitated dialogue must be implemented without delay, including the provisions related to the Association of Serb Municipalities.”

The Foreign Ministry of Switzerland has reacted to the latest developments in the Kosovo-Serbia dialogue, after the meeting between leaders Kurti and Vucic in Brussels. "Switzerland welcomes the last meeting in Brussels between Prime Minister @albinkurti and President @avucic on the European proposal for the normalization of relations between Kosovo and Serbia. Switzerland, supporting the EU-facilitated dialogue, hopes that further talks will yield the desired results," said the official statement of the Swiss MFA.

The Foreign Ministry of Slovenia has welcomed the agreement in Brussels, between the leaders of Kosovo and Serbia, for the normalization of relations based on the European proposal. "We welcome the positive developments between Serbia and Kosovo that lead to the normalization of relations. An important step for their progress on the road to the EU and for stability in the Western Balkans. This is in our strategic interest," reads the statement of the Slovenian MFA.

U.S. endorses EU plan to ease Serbia-Kosovo tensions (Independent)

A senior U.S. official says Washington has high expectations for a European Union-sponsored plan aimed at easing long-standing tensions between Serbia and Kosovo

The U.S. has high expectations for a European Union-sponsored plan aimed at easing long-standing tensions between Serbia and Kosovo, a senior U.S. State Department official said Tuesday.

Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Gabriel Escobar told an online news conference that both countries, as well as Europe, would stand to benefit from the stability the plan would usher in.

“Our expectations are very high to this agreement and I think what’s new is not only the seriousness of both governments but the seriousness of our European partners to make this happen in the shadow of one of the biggest crisis Europe has seen since the WW2,” Escobar replied to an Associated Press question.

On Monday, Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic and Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti gave their tacit approval to the EU plan to end months of political crisis and help improve bilateral ties.

The agreement stipulates that both countries would recognize their respective documents and national symbols, and respect their independence, autonomy and territorial integrity, the right of self-determination, the protection of human rights, and non-discrimination.

They have agreed to deepen future cooperation in the fields of economy, science and technology, transport and connectivity, judicial and law enforcement, health, sport, environmental protection and missing persons.

Read more at: http://bit.ly/3IYz5RY

Opposition parties criticise agreement on normalisation plan (BIRN)

Opposition parties in Pristina and Belgrade accused their respective countries' leaders of betrayal after they tentatively agreed on a EU plan for the normalisation of relations between Kosovo and Serbia.

Kosovo and Serbia’s leaders Albin Kurti and Aleksandar Vucic broke their deadlock on Monday evening by tentatively agreeing a European Union plan on the normalisation of relations between the two countries but opposition parties in Pristina and Belgrade expressed discontent about the agreement.

Kurti and Vucic met in Brussels on Monday evening to discuss the plan, which was put on the table by EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell.

“This is an important and significant development because since last summer, we have been involved in crisis management, focusing only on crises: one crisis after another, trying to control the tensions on the ground,” Borrell told media after the meeting.

Nothing has been signed yet, although the EU has published the agreement on its website. It is expected that the EU’s envoy for Belgrade-Pristina dialogue, Miroslav Lajcak will visit the two countries in the coming weeks, while the next Kurti- Vucic meeting is expected to be held on March 18 in Skopje, North Macedonia.

Vucic said on Tuesday that he battled to protect Serbia’s interests at the Brussels meeting.

“We fought as much as possible in difficult conditions and fought for the future of Serbia in peace, for the continuation of investments in our country. And I also keep my oath and the constitution of Serbia and Kosovo and Metohija as part of Serbia,” Vucic said.

Read more at: https://bit.ly/3EFyWAn

Serbia-Kosovo tensions simmer despite leaders' tacit approval of EU plan (Euronews)

Kosovo has accused Serbia of refusing to sign a European Union-sponsored plan that would normalise relations after months of rising political tensions.

On Monday, Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic and Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti gave their tacit approval to the EU plan to end months of political crisis and help improve bilateral ties.

The agreement stipulates that both countries would recognise their respective documents and national symbols, and respect their independence, autonomy and territorial integrity, the right of self-determination, the protection of human rights, and non-discrimination.

They have agreed to deepen future cooperation in the fields of economy, science and technology, transport and connectivity, judicial and law enforcement, health, sport, environmental protection and missing persons.

Both countries want to join the EU, which has told them that they first need to sort out their differences. The agreement says they will not hamper each other’s steps to join the bloc.

Recently, tensions flared over seemingly trivial matters like vehicle licence plate formats, or the arrest of an ethnic Serb police officer.

“By the end of this year, we cannot have the agreement implemented in full. Elections must first be held in the north of Kosovo (after the resignation of the Serbian mayors). This is the main condition for the formation of the Association of Serbian Municipalities. Without them, this association is impossible,” Fatmir Scheholi, Institute for Affirmation of Inter-Ethnic Relations, told Euronews Serbia.

Read more at: https://bit.ly/3SGbV6g

Serwer: Put away the carrots and take out the sticks (Peacefare.net)

Opinion piece by Daniel Server, expert on Balkans affairs and professor at John Hopkins University.

Yesterday's EU-hosted meeting between Serbian President Vucic and Kosovo Prime Minister Kurti ended without signing a "normalization" agreement. That ranks as a failure, especially after months of built-up expectations. But let's take a closer look, based on the criteria I outlined yesterday: improved state-to-state relations, reciprocity, and international engagement.

Assessing the unsigned agreement

Improved state-to-state relations: Articles 1-2 score high in this category, as they would require recognition of each others' sovereignty, equality, independence, territorial integrity, symbols, and documents. Article 3 would also apply the UN Charter provisions on the use and threat of force, which apply to sovereign states. Together they amount to mutual recognition as sovereign and independent states, in all but name. This is virtual recognition.

Reciprocity: Article 4 provides that neither party can act on behalf of the other or represent the other internationally. This rates high in the reciprocity category. It also provides that Serbia will not block Kosovo's membership in "any" international organization, which presumably includes the United Nations. That is not reciprocal, but it need not be, since Kosovo has not tried to block Serbian membership. Article 5 applies mutual "non-blocking" specifically to the EU. Article 6 requires both parties to continue the dialogue with the goal of a "legally binding agreement on comprehensive normalization of their relations." That doesn't say mutual recognition. But it is close, especially when read in conjunction with Article 8 for the exchange of permanent diplomatic missions.

Read more at: http://bit.ly/3SBnKKI

Bancroft: Serbia-Kosovo - the devil is in the implementation (Euractiv)

Opinion piece by Ian Bancroft, writer and diplomat.

Serbia and Kosovo have taken a profound step forward in normalising their relations by reaching consensus a proposal brokered by the EU. As always, however, the devil is in the detail. Without a clear plan on how the agreement will be implemented, it will remain stillborn.

The eleven articles of the agreement on the path to normalisation enshrine fundamental principles on the basis of which relations between Kosovo and Serbia can develop and ultimately flourish.

A commitment to the sovereign equality of states and respect for territorial integrity will permanently silence destabilising talk of land swaps or border revisions.

An exchange of permanent missions will provide vital diplomatic channels to iron out fundamental disagreements and reduce the scope for misunderstandings.

Serbia will end its objections to Kosovo’s membership in any international organisation – and presumably, by extension, its campaign of derecognition – removing another source of friction between Belgrade and Pristina.

Read more at: http://bit.ly/41vZKNd

Kosovo boycott of Serbian products picks up steam but imports remain high (Euractiv)

A campaign for Kosovo businesses to stop buying and selling Serbian products is picking up; however, the amounts of goods imported by Pristina from its neighbour totaled almost  €18 million in 2022 and are not dropping- yet.

Kosovo was a province of Serbia before the bloody 1998-1999 war, which was ended by the NATO bombing against Belgrade, with Pristina declaring independence in 2008. While Serbia does not recognise this independence, the EU facilitates ongoing dialogue to normalise relations.

The ‘Don’t Buy Serbian Products-Besa, Besa’ campaign calls on Kosovo citizens not to empower Serbia and to buy locally instead, ensuring money remains in the Kosovo economy. Some companies have even stepped up to offer free transport of goods to Kosovo, including Eurokoha and Kosovo Airlines, which said it would transport medicines from Germany and Switzerland to Kosovo for free.

“For this purpose, Eurokoha and Kosovo Airlines are ready to cooperate with the relevant state institutions to carry out the free transport of basic medicines to Kosovo. This will be done to supply the citizens of Kosovo with safe medicines from these EU countries. This initiative is implemented as a support to the campaign of the group Besa Bese “Don’t buy Serbian products,” the announcement from January states.

Read more at: https://bit.ly/3mheD5I