• Thaci, Vucic resume dialogue in Brussels today (media)
• Thaci: Ratification of demarcation will clarify Kosovo’s agenda (media)
• Fajon: I hope visa liberalization will happen this year (media)
• PDK MP: Kosovo citizens will travel visa free this year (Epoka)
• Engel: Kosovo should be given visa liberalization without delay (media)
• Pristina-Belgrade meetings in Brussels conclude unsuccessfully (Indeksonline)

Thaci, Vucic resume dialogue in Brussels today (media)

Kosovo and Serbia Presidents, Hashim Thaci and Aleksandar Vucic, are expected to resume the high-political dialogue in Brussels brokered by the High Representative of the European Union. The meeting is aimed at furthering dialogue between Pristina and Belgrade. The EU insists that Pristina and Belgrade must normalize relations and progress in dialogue is seen as the key requirement for both countries in their European integration prospects. Thaci said in an interview to Radio Free Europe that he does not expect any miracles from the meeting but increased responsibilities and greater commitment from both sides. Thaci said the process will enter a final phase of reaching a historic agreement that will close all chapters of darkness, conflict and problems and open the chapters of cooperation, understanding, good neighborly relations and reconciliation. Vucic said recently his state is willing to reach a compromise on all unresolved issues with Kosovo.

Thaci: Ratification of demarcation will clarify Kosovo’s agenda (media)

Kosovo President Hashim Thaci, who is visiting the U.S., said on Thursday that the ratification of the border demarcation agreement with Montenegro will clarify “Kosovo’s agenda and will constitute an additional argument for our friends and partners”. “We are entering the final phase of normalization of relations between Kosovo and Serbia. We are blessed to have the unwavering support of our strategic allies,” Thaci posted on Facebook.

Fajon: I hope visa liberalization will happen this year (media)

Tanja Fajon, the European Parliament’s Rapporteur on Kosovo, congratulated Kosovo on ratifying the border demarcation deal with Montenegro and said she hopes Kosovo’s citizens will soon travel visa-free in EU member states. Fajon did not mention any specific date but said the EU will work on the process if all requirements are met. She said the fact that there are five non-recognizing countries is not a problem for visa liberalization. “I would like to congratulate Kosovo and MPs for this very important step and I hope for a soon visa-free travel regime for Kosovo. Certainly, we and I as European Parliament Rapporteur, will do everything to have a decision by the European Commission that all requirements are met. The final requirement is the fight against corruption and then we will vote on this at the European Parliament,” Fajon said.

PDK MP: Kosovo citizens will travel visa free this year (Epoka)

Blerta Deliu Kodra, PDK MP and chair of the Kosovo Assembly European Integration Committee, told the paper on Thursday that by adopting the border demarcation deal with Montenegro, Kosovo has met all the requirements in the visa liberalization process. “As chair of the European Integration Committee, I have had many bilateral meetings and discussions about the process, but knowing the decision-making procedures, I cannot talk about a specific date when we will have visa liberalization. I am optimistic that after these decision-making procedures, our citizens will travel without visas in 2018,” she said.

Engel: Kosovo should be given visa liberalization without delay (media)

U.S. Congressman, Elliot Engel, welcomed the ratification of the border demarcation agreement with Montenegro, and said Kosovo deserves to be treated equally with other countries that already have visa liberalization. Engel said Kosovo should be given visa liberalization without further delay. “This is an important day for Kosovo’s relations with its neighbor, Montenegro,” Engel wrote in his letter. “I call on our friends in the EU to do what needs to be done. Kosovo deserves equal treatment as other countries that already visa liberalization and it should be given this status without unnecessary delays.”

Pristina-Belgrade meetings in Brussels conclude unsuccessfully (Indeksonline)

The Pristina-based news website reports that for three days, delegations from Pristina and Belgrade discussed in Brussels the Association/Community of Serb-majority municipalities, energy, the Mitrovica Bridge, integrated border management and freedom of movement. Avni Arifi, head of Pristina’s delegation in the talks, told the news website that no progress was made in the last round of talks. “The meetings have ended and we are going back. I can only conclude that there has been no progress,” Tahiri said.