Brussels, 18 June 2013
Yesterday, in Brussels, was the first day of the fourth round of talks on implementing the agreement on the normalization of inter-state relations between the Republic of Kosovo and the Republic of Serbia, with EU mediation.
On the talks agenda were these issues: energy, telecoms, and justice. After the end of talks sometime in the evening, the Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Kosovo, Edita Tahiri gave a media statement in which she praised the start of the implementation of the agreement regarding diplomatic exchange between the Republic of Serbia and Kosovo. Ms. Tahiri said this is a very important step for relations between the two countries, and it is respectively recognition of the Republic of Kosovo by Serbia. Ms. Tahiri expressed her conviction that in the near future the two independent and sovereign states would establish diplomatic relations between them.
In addition, the latest meeting on telecommunications facilitated discussions about both parties positions for the purpose of reaching an agreement, but did not end with concrete results, she said, adding that the Kosovar party notes and observes that Serbia continues to make unilateral interpretations of the agreement on normalization and the implementation agreement and is not showing the maturity and seriousness required of a negotiating partner. She stressed that the Kosovo party had prevented the other party’s attempts to politicize the process, inviting them to engage in the spirit of good neighborliness and peace and full respect of the agreement on normalization, reached between the prime ministers of the two states.
On the issue of telecoms, there was trilateral agreement that Kosovo should have a telephone code from the ITU, but there were differences over the application procedure. The Kosovo party elaborated and defended its position that the country telephone code should be issued by the ITU following a direct application from Kosovo, referring to the Brussels agreement within a 3 month time period, and after a transition period, the ITU would allocate a code for the sole use of the state of Kosovo. In addition, it was requested that the illegal operation of the Serb mobile and land telephone operator be halted. The Kosovo party refused the request to license a Serb mobile operator, explaining that it was not in conformity with the laws of Kosovo and that licensing in such cases occurs through an international tender. With regard to the land telephone, they offered the opportunity of licensing a new company registered in Kosovo, as no tender is required for the licensing of land phone operators, according to Kosovo’s laws. We refused the Serb party’s request that “Telekom Serbia” receive a license for the land telephone, on the basis that according to Kosovo’s laws, only companies registered in the state of Kosovo have the right to apply for a license. The Kosovar party re-emphasized that the only acceptable solutions that can be taken into consideration are those foreseen by the laws and regulatory framework in force in Kosovo, which provide sustainable and attractive solutions for all its citizens.
Meanwhile, with regard to energy, the parties agreed on establishing inter-state cooperation in energy, respectively between the Kosovo Transmission Authority KOSTT and its counterpart authority in Serbia (EMS), which means reciprocal recognition between both countries in this field. Meanwhile, disagreements related to the request of the Serb party to license a public energy supplier in Kosovo, as the Kosovo party refused on the basis that the laws of Kosovo allow only one public supplier. The tendency toward ethnically based solutions was observed, an approach that was categorically rejected by the Kosovo delegation.
Meanwhile, with regard to justice, bilateral consultations continued with the European Union, in which the Kosovo delegation set out its position regarding the establishment of law and order in the field of justice in the north of Kosovo, including the process of integrating Serb judges interested in joining the Kosovo institutions. It should be emphasized that a trilateral meeting was anticipated, but the Serb delegation boycotted yesterday’s meeting on justice.
The Republic of Kosovo delegation was led by Deputy Prime Minister Edita Tahiri and included: Dren Zeka, key political advisor, Visar Xani, media advisor; on justice issues: Ismet Kabashi, Enver Peci, Fejzullah Hasani, Sali Mekaj, Arjeta Rexhaj, Donikë Qerimi, Albert Avdiu, Ehat Miftaraj and Ramadan Gashi. On energy issues: Naim Bejtullahu, Enver Halimi, Merita Kostari, Arben Gjukaj and Elona Cecelia. On telecoms issues: Ekrem Hoxha, Besnik Berisha and Gazmir Raci.
Last modified: July 31, 2022