Izvor: N1 14.09.2020.
The technical part of the Belgrade – Pristina dialogue on the normalisation of relations continues in Brussels on Thursday, with the national minorities, financial claims and properties issues on the agenda, raised in Washington between Serbia’s President Aleksandar Vucic and Kosovo’s Prime Minister Avdulah Hoti, the European Commission (EC) has said on Monday.
Belgrade says it has signed a bilateral agreement with the US, Pristina claims it has been an inter-state deal between Kosovo and Serbia. In contrast, the White House has denied the US has signed anything and described the documents as a bilateral agreement between Belgrade and Pristina.
So far, Brussels kept saying it was the document they were aware of and that it was in line with the Brussels agreement from 2013, reiterating the European Union would lead the dialogue to its final solution.
However, the definition changed.
„Serbia and Kosovo signed their bilateral commitment to the US. Anything that can help the Brussels’ process is positive. The details of their commitment expressed and signed in the US should be implemented in line with the European aspirations they both have,“ Peter Stano, the EC spokesperson said.
What is not in line with the EU foreign policy, however, is Serbia’s promise to relocate its embassy from Tel Aviv in Jerusalem, since the bloc does not recognise the Holy City as Israeli’s capital.
Besides, the stone in the EU shoe is Belgrade’s cooperation with Moscow, as well as close relations with Beijing and Ankara.
„We expect the countries in the process of joining the EU to progress in harmonising policies of the block. That comes without any question,“ Stano said, commenting on Serbia’s explanation that it’s neutral and can cooperate with everyone.
Brussels is increasingly insisting on the regional foreign policies’ adjustment with the EU, while they, mostly Serbia, hold on to the idea they can do that in the later phases of the negotiations, that in the case of Belgrade are expected to last for several years.
Serbia joined the EU Declaration on Belarus what Brussels saluted, but expected the country also to join the announced sanctions against the official Minsk.