Brussels-based correspondent Augustin Palokaj opines that as far as the future government of Kosovo is concerned, the only thing that the European Union is interested in is whether or not this government will continue dialogue with Serbia and if it will implement all agreements reached with Belgrade. Palokaj further notes that “according to interpretations by the Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK) that only the party or coalition that has won the elections can form the government, excludes democracy.

BELGRADE - The head of the Office for Kosovo-Metohija Marko Djuric will meet with European Commission officials in Brussels on Monday to discuss topics relevant to the situation in Kosovo-Metohija following the recent elections there.

Djuric will discuss matters related to the implementation of the Brussels Agreement and the continuation of the Belgrade-Pristina dialogue, the Office for Kosovo-Metohija has announced.

European Union has extended the mandate to its rule of law mission in Kosovo for another two years.

In a statement, European governments said EULEX will begin to reduce its executive functions in the justice sector and added that prosecutors do not plan on taking on new cases.

They also said that the mission will be downsized in order to reflect the change of its activity.

Sources told the paper that the EU High Representative for Foreign Policy and Security, Catherine Ashton, had a telephone conversation yesterday with the acting Prime Minister of Kosovo, Hashim Thaci, but no details as to what was discussed were provided.

Prior to the adoption of the Resolution were held negotiations between Yugoslav President Slobodan Milosevic and Viktor Chernomyrdin, who was the representative of the then Russian President Boris Yeltsin. These negotiations were completed in early June, with the mediation of Martti Ahtisaari, who represented the EU and the UN. Document on Milosevic-Ahtisaari-Chernomyrdin agreement, which was adopted by the National Assembly and then the federal government, was the basis for the Resolution 1244. 

German Chancellor Angela Merkel said on Sunday that as far as the European Union is concerned, the countries of the Western Balkans, have clear EU prospects but added that “they still have a long road ahead of them”. Merkel said Germany supports their membership in the EU, “but experience has taught us that when there is not progress before membership, the work after membership is certainly not easier”. “Ultimately, it is up to the countries themselves whether or not they will go quickly through specific phases,” Merkel added.

The Head of the European Union (EU) Office in Kosovo, Samuel Zbogar, noted in a front-page interview, that the upcoming elections will be the first since the successful completion of the Stabilisation and Association Agreement between the EU and Kosovo, and it is normal to expect that European standards will be upheld in the voting process. “If there is political will, Kosovo can have elections in accordance with European standards”, said Zbogar. He added that the way these elections are held will also determine how Kosovo’s EU integration process will proceed.

EU Special Representative in Kosovo Semuel Zbogar stated for RTK2 that the existence of public TV in Serbian language is essential for the Serbs in Kosovo. He said that RTK2 broadcast information from all Serbian areas, and called on for the expansion of the signal in the north.

What are the possible scenarios of receipt of the Western Balkans countries into the European Union? All at once, each for itself or everyone in line behind Turkey.

Young Researchers of the European Fund for the Balkans, mainly nationals of countries hoping to join the European Union, outline four scenarios for accession of the whole Balkans to the European Union.

EU has deployed today  dozens of short-term observers who will monitor Kosovo’s parliamentary elections to be held on 8 June. “Today, our short term observers have deployed at respective zones. They will monitor the entire Kosovo, all the municipalities. They will meet with local election officials, local political parties, they will follow some pre-election gatherings, meet with members of civil society, internal observers as well as representatives of media,” said the Spokesperson of this EU monitoring mission, Sarah Crozier.