Mogherini warns alternative to Belgrade-Pristina dialogue dangerous (N1, Beta)
European Union High Representative Federica Mogherini on Tuesday called the authorities in Pristina to revoke the 100 percent tariffs on goods from Serbia and warned that the alternative to the Belgrade-Pristina dialogue is dangerous.
Speaking at a news conference with Serbian Prime Minister Ana Brnabic after a session of the EU-Serbia Stabilization and Association Council, Mogherini said that the raising of the tariffs was “a clear violation of CEFTA and the spirit of the Stabilization and Association Agreement with Kosovo”.
Brnabic aid that Belgrade is committed to the dialogue with Pristina but warned that the latest steps taken by the Kosovo government are “the greatest threat to regional stability and peace”.
Pristina’s attempts to win membership in international organizations in the belief that Serbia does not have the right to prevent it is unacceptable, she said. A press release following the Stabilisation and Association Council meeting recalled that Serbia has opened 16 chapters in its pre-accession negotiation with the EU. It added that public support for Serbia’s EU perspective should be “enhanced through active and unambiguous communication”.
“The SA Council encouraged Serbia to intensify reform efforts and to deliver convincing results, including a sustainable track record, in particular on democratic governance and the rule of law, including judiciary and war crimes, freedom of expression, and the fight against corruption and organised crime,” the press release said.
Serbia is expected to remain constructively engaged in the EU-facilitated Belgrade-Pristina Dialogue to reach a legally-binding agreement on a comprehensive normalization of relations with the full implementation of all Dialogue agreements.