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Cliff: Part of the Brussels Agreement about diplomas does not function (Tanjug)

The British Ambassador to Kosovo, Ian Cliff told Tanjug that part of the Brussels agreement, relating to the recognition of diplomas, does not function and that issue with recognition of diplomas issued by North Mitrovica University should be improved. 

“I can say that part of the Brussels agreement relating to the recognition of diplomas does not function,” Cliff said, adding that the British Embassy in Kosovo supported a number of Serbian lawyers who wanted to take the bar exam and become the part of Kosovo justice system. "But then, we faced the situation where the same lawyers were told that they could not take bar exam because their diplomas, issued by the University of Novi Sad, Belgrade, etc.. are not recognized here," said Cliff. 

In a statement to Tanjug news agency, he said that issue of recognizing diplomas from North Mitrovica University should be discussed, although it is not directly mentioned in the Brussels agreement. "If we continue with the integration of Serbs into Kosovo system, if people will be involved in the functioning of that system, if they will be civil servants, then the diplomas must be recognized," said Cliff. 

Pristina and Belgrade reached agreement on recognition of diplomas in November 2011, as a part of the talks of two sides in Brussels. 

Speaking on the implementation of the Brussels Agreement, British diplomat said that parts that refer to the joint border management and implementation of local and central elections were successful. "Certainly more work should be done in terms of justice, energy and telecommunications. On the other hand, Kosovo has not yet come to the adoption of laws concerning the establishment of the agency for the issues of property," said Cliff. 

Cliff spoke about the "Peace Park", which the Serbs built on the main bridge in Kosovska Mitrovica, and which the Albanians consider as a roadblock that prevents freedom of movement, announcing solving of this problem in three stages. 

"This process will be conducted in three phases. In the first phase will be carried out engineering and technical inspection of the bridge. In the second phase will be done some studies, in order to find out how to continue, and in the third phase will be determined what will be a long-term solution, when it comes to this problem," said Cliff. 

He added that this should be done in "a very careful way". Everyone is aware of the situation that the bridge in the last 15 years has become the symbol and there is absolute need to pay attention to this problem, because it is a very sensitive issue.