The dialogue on the normalization of relations between Belgrade and Pristina under the auspices of the European Union (EU) continues today in Brussels, with the participation of presidents and prime ministers of Kosovo and Serbia.

In the new round of dialogue that had been scheduled by EU High Representative Federica Mogherini. The President and the Prime Minister of Serbia Tomislav Nikolić and Aleksandar Vučić, the President and Prime Minister of Kosovo, Hashim Thaçi and Isa Mustafa will be present.

Representatives of three opposition parties – Vetevendosje, the Alliance for the Future of Kosovo (AAK), Initiative for Kosovo (NISMA) – held a press conference today where they called for the halt of dialogue with Serbia. They said Prime Minister Isa Mustafa and President Hashim Thaci have no credibility to lead talks without the consent of the Kosovo Assembly. “How is it possible for the country’s leaders to make compromises for Kosovo on their own without asking us, the Assembly, the opposition. In fact, we heard of the meeting from the media,” said Vetevendosje’s Glauk Konjufca.

Senior officials from Serbia and Kosovo will hold talks in Brussels on Tuesday.

The EU-backed meeting is part of a long-term effort to normalise ties between the two.

“Both sides have committed to the dialogue and we expect that this commitment continues including to the implementation of the agreements that have been reached,” said Maja Kocijanic, an EU spokeswoman.

Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic said on Monday that he has "lost his trust in Pristina" and that for this reason, the dialogue in Brussels will be "difficult."

Speaking during a news conference with the chairman of the Council of Ministers of Bosnia-Herzegovina, Vucic added that he "above all" expects EU's "clear messages":

Political analyst from Pristina Behlul Beqaj estimates the inclusion of Presidents Hashim Thaci and Tomislav Nikolić in Brussels dialogue as the failure of the process.

- Continuation of the talks in this format will lead to degradation of Kosovo, while Serbia will be the winner in international relations - Beqaj told Beta agency, adding that the resumption of dialogue can lead to the unilateral formation of the Association/Community of Serb municipalities (ZSO).

Ahead of the upcoming round of talks in Brussels, President of Kosovo Hashim Thaci said that Kosovo and Serbia are opening the final chapter of the dialogue for normalisation of relations. Thaci ruled out the possibility of “internal issues” being discussed in the EU-facilitated dialogue. Thaci said Serbia has “seriously provoked” Kosovo with its recent actions which make it necessary to sit down and discuss normalization of relations further. “The best possible solution is definitely for Serbia to recognise Kosovo.

The leader of the Alliance for the Future of Kosovo, Ramush Haradinaj, currently in France pending a final decision of the court on whether he will be extradited to Serbia on war crimes charges, wrote in his Facebook account that the decision of President of Kosovo, Hashim Thaci, and Prime Minister, Isa Mustafa, to take part in the Brussels dialogue despite “Serbia’s successive attacks on Kosovo’s sovereignty, is a puppet’s move.” “To sit at a discussion table with Serbia which is causing Kosovo so much damage through recent attacks and such stunts like the wall, the train and false arrest

Kosovo government spokesperson, Arban Abrashi, confirmed for the portal that the President of Kosovo Hashim Thaçi, will participate together with the Prime Minister Isa Mustafa, at the meeting that will be held on Tuesday in Brussels.

Political analyst Dušan Janjić believes that during the dialogue, scheduled at the highest level in Brussels for tomorrow, both sides should clarify their attitudes about whether the dialogue will continue to be challenged or will be continued.

Janjić told Beta that there is no information on an agenda for the meeting, suggesting that the next round will be different from all previous.

Serbian Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic on Thursday spoke with German Chancellor Angela Merkel on the phone, and met with NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg in Davos.
B92's Filip Cukanovic said these conversations regarded the situation in Kosovo and relations in the region, as well as "ways to solve the problems that have piled up."

Vucic today announced "a meeting with the Albanian side with the mediation of Brussels (EU) as early as next week."