European Council: Kosovo and Serbia to implement the agreement on the normalization of relations

The leaders of the states and governments of the member countries of the European Union welcomed the agreement reached in the talks between the leaders of Kosovo and Serbia on March 18 in Ohrid.

Both sides agreed on Saturday to implement a Western-backed plan to normalize relations as a condition for fulfilling their aspirations for European Union membership.

"The European Council welcomes the agreement on the path towards the normalization of relations between Kosovo and Serbia and its implementation plan, reached in the EU-facilitated dialogue, as an integral part of their European path, and calls on both parties to to implement quickly and in good faith their respective obligations", the text of the conclusions of the European Council states."

The European plan for which the parties agreed on February 27 in Brussels and on March 18 in Ohrid for its implementation, requires good neighborly relations, recognition of documents and symbols and respect for each other's sovereignty and territorial integrity. It requires that the parties do not hinder each other in the integration processes, but does not require mutual recognition.

The non-signing of the document at the Ohrid meeting raised doubts about whether the agreement could be treated as legally binding.

The European Union and the United States say that despite the fact that this agreement was not signed by the parties, it is a legal obligation that includes the implementation of all previous agreements reached in the talks between the parties.

The President of Serbia, Aleksandar Vučić, said that "there are no talks on membership in the United Nations and there is no recognition. Anything else that means real normalization of relations, without tensions and conflicts, Serbia will implement."

EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell, who reported to the European Council, said any attempt to question the deal was futile.

"The agreement has been reached and must be implemented. There is no room for choice, it must be fully implemented by all parties and we will be watching carefully who does and who doesn't. And I would advise them (Kosovo and Serbia) not to point the finger at anyone but to do their job," said Mr. Borrell.

Serbia, supported by Russia, continues to oppose Kosovo's independence, which was declared in 2008 with Western support.

Kosovo declared its statehood nine years after NATO intervened to end the nearly two-year war.

Të premten Kosova shënon përvjetorin e fillimit të fushatës së bombardimeve të NATO-s kundër forcave serbe. Fushata që zgjati 78 ditë, në tokë u shfrytëzua nga forcat serbe për sulme hakmarrëse kundër shqiptarëve. Mbi 10 mijë veta u vranë, mbi 800 mijë u ndoqën nga Kosova, ndërsa rreth 5 mijë të tjerë në fund të luftës llogariteshin si të zhdukur.

Institucionet e Kosovës 24 marsin e vlerësojnë si një ditë me rëndësi vendimtare për historinë e vendit, ndërsa zyrtarët e Beogradit e cilësojnë Serbinë si “viktimë të agresionit të NATO-s”.

Ambasadori amerikan në Beograd, Christopher Hill, ngushëlloi familjet e atyre që humbën jetën gjatë luftërave të viteve të 90-ta, përfshirë edhe ata që pësuan si rrjedhojë e fushatës ajrore të NATO-s.

"I have dedicated my life to diplomacy - finding diplomatic solutions to seemingly intractable problems. During my career, I have learned that sometimes diplomacy fails. When it does, the results can be tragic. I know that the Serbian people will never forget that terrible time, nor should they," he wrote, emphasizing that "the commitment of the United States to the partnership with Serbia is unwavering, as is our commitment to diplomacy ".

Nearly four thousand NATO-led peacekeeping forces currently oversee security in Kosovo as efforts continue to secure a long-term solution to its disputes with Serbia. /VOA