Brussels, June 1, 2013
The delegation of the Republic of Kosovo, headed by Deputy Prime Minister Edita Tahiri, was in Brussels on May 30 and 31, 2013, to attend the first meeting of the Implementation of the normalization of relations between Kosovo and Serbia.
Under EU leadership, numerous meetings of working groups on issues addressed in the Agreement on Normalization and Implementation Plan, including issues of justice, security, diplomatic exchanges, as well as energy and telecom, were held over two days.
These long and intense negotiations have marked significant progress towards the creation of detailed plans for the implementation of normalization, including the responsibilities and obligations of both parties to fulfill the obligations arising from the Normalization Agreement and Implementation Plan, as well as the specified timeframe of practical implementation.
After completing the two-day meetings, deputy Prime Minister Edita Tahiri said that at the talks in Brussels prevailed a very constructive working atmosphere and concrete results were achieved due to the commitments to advance the process of implementation of the agreement on normalization. She stressed that discussions were made on the dynamics of dissolution of Serbian illegal structures in the area of security and justice and the steps that the Serbian side must take in this direction, by emphasizing the need to set deadlines for implementing the Plan. We have also discussed the issues of integration of the Serb community individuals in the justice and security institutions of the state of Kosovo, through the recruitment process under the laws of the Republic of Kosovo and the issues and procedures establishing the Association of Municipalities of Serb majority, in respect of the Constitution and laws of Kosovo and the European Charter on Local Government, said Ms. Tahiri.
The main result in this round of talks was the signing of the Agreement for the exchange of diplomatic representation between the two countries, Kosovo and Serbia, and according to this agreement that has been negotiated for months, the exchange of diplomatic representatives between the two countries will occur on June 17, 2013, said Deputy Prime Minister Edita Tahiri. She praised the agreement for its special significance for the normalization of relations between the two countries, as it constitutes an important contribution to good neighborliness, peace and stability in the region.
Also, during these two days in Brussels, expert groups have met and discussed the issue of telecom and energy. Deputy Prime Minister said that the positions of the two states on telecom issues are getting closer. It is agreed that in the coming days, the mediator of the European Union will provide concrete solutions by offering a model that has emerged as a result of these talks. Regarding the issue of Kosovo’s state code, Ms. Tahiri said that Kosovo has requested and continues to request that the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) must decide on one of the possible codes, 383 or 384 to be allocated for use in Kosovo and the Serbian side have agreed to these terms and will not make objections and will comply with such a decision.
Progress has been made also with regards to the energy issue, but as with the issue of telecom there will be additional ideas from the EU in order to ensure the finalization of the agreements. An important result worth mentioning in this regard is the commitment of the Serbian side to establish interstate cooperation between the transmission authority of Kosovo KOSTT and its counterpart in Serbia, and not interfere with the path of this institution to become part of European institutions.
Finally, Deputy Prime Minister Tahiri mentioned that there were tendencies of the Serbian side to divert from the normalization Agreement and Implementation Plan, but the Kosovo side has successfully prevented such negative tendencies.
The next meetings for the implementation of the normalization Agreement will continue next week.
The delegation of the Republic of Kosovo, led by Deputy Prime Minister Edita Tahiri consisted of Dren Zeka, chief political adviser, Gazmir Raci, political coordinator and counselor, Elona Cecelia, Political Advisor, Donika Qerimi, political advisor to the Deputy Prime Minister Kuqi, Ruzdhi Halili, Director of the Office for Strategic Planning in the Office of the Prime Minister, Qemajl Marmullkaj, senior officer of the Strategic Planning Office, Ismet Kabashi, Chief Prosecutor of the Republic of Kosovo, Enver Peci, Chairman of the Independent Judicial Council, Fejzullah Hasani, President of the Supreme Court, Sali Mekaj, Chairman the Court of Appeal, Shpend Mexhuani, Director of the Kosovo Police, Fisnik Rexhepi, political adviser to the Minister of Interior, Naim Bejtullahu, CEO KOSTT, Arben Gjukaj, CEO KEK, Enver Halimi, Chairman of the Board of the Energy Regulatory Office, Merita Kostari, Member of the Board of ERO, Ekrem Hoxha, Chairman of the Board of the Regulatory Authority for Electronic and Postal
Communications, Besnik Berisha, Member of the Board of the Regulatory Authority for Electronic and Postal Communications, Besnik Osmani, Secretary General of the Ministry of Local Government, Sami Ukelli, Director General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Lulzim Peci, Ambassador.
Last modified: July 31, 2022