Brussels, 15 May 2024
The first Deputy Prime Minister for European Integration, Development and Dialogue of the Republic of Kosovo, Besnik Bislimi, participated in the next meetings within the dialogue process in Brussels.
In this meeting as well, it was planned to discuss finding a solution for the receiving of financial support from Serbia, from the Serbian community in Kosovo, presented as the last opportunity for the parties to agree. Unfortunately, even this next meeting was misused by the Serbian side and did not bring results.
Previously, the parties were expected to come with comments on the draft proposed by emissary Lajçak at the meeting held at the end of April, comments which would show our readiness to move towards the mediator’s proposal.
The Kosovar side has made its comments, through which we came closer to a final solution within the legal framework of the Republic of Kosovo and at the same time without affecting the substance of the proposal of Mr. Lajcak. Serbia has responded with completely new comments, as a new proposal, and not only distancing from the proposal of the emissary, but also from the previous positions of the Serbian side.
To our desire for a functional solution that guarantees the continuation of support for the citizens of the Serbian community, the Serbian side responded with proposals aimed at the legalization of its parallel and illegal structures that operate in Kosovo and therefore outside the framework of negotiations on the issue.
To our efforts for the integration of the Serbian community, the Serbian side has now responded with the explicit request to switch from an illegal parallel system to a parallel, but legal, system. So the transition to a system where parallelism ensures non-integration and presence of Serbia in Kosovo through its institutions, which is unacceptable for our side.
The Government of the Republic of Kosovo, through its chief negotiator, expressed its regret for this setback, while during the negotiations, the withdrawal of Serbia’s positions was evident even from its own positioning and the comments sent this week, so it becomes clear that there was Serbia’s tactic to prevent a solution to this situation.
Last modified: May 16, 2024