Lajçak: We expected more understanding for the EU proposal

After the meeting with the Prime Minister of Kosovo, Albin Kurti, the special envoy of the European Union for the dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia, Miroslav Lajčak, in a statement to the media, said that the delegation of international emissaries expected more understanding about the possibilities offered by the proposal for normalization of relations between Pristina and Belgrade.

Lajcak said on Friday that the purpose of the meeting with Prime Minister Kurti was to discuss the proposal for normalization, which, as he said, had been presented to Kurti in September, as well as later in December [last year].

"It is too early to make dramatic statements because, as you know, we are in the middle of our mission and we will continue to Belgrade, so I don't have much to say. But, I want to say that nevertheless, at this point, we have waited for a better understanding of the possibilities offered by this proposal. I hope we get there, to the full understanding, as well as the full use of the potential that this proposal has. We will continue to work on this", said Lajcak on Friday in Pristina.

In addition to Lajcak, the American emissary for the Western Balkans, Gabriel Escobar, the special envoy of France, Emmanuel Bonne, that of Germany, Jens Plotner, and Francesco Talon, advisor to the prime minister of Italy, took part in the meeting with Prime Minister Kurti.

Lajcak emphasized that the European Union and the USA are committed to achieving the normalization of relations between Kosovo and Serbia and this, according to him, is proven by the presence of the emissaries of the USA, Germany, Italy and France at the meeting.

International emissaries stayed in Pristina with the aim of intensifying the dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia. After the visit to Pristina, they will go to Belgrade, where they will meet with the president of Serbia, Aleksandar Vučić.

The visits to both countries aim to prepare the ground for the continuation of the high-level dialogue in Brussels.

What proposal is it about?

The EU proposal, or the Franco-German plan, was submitted to authorities in Pristina and Belgrade at the end of the summer and is supported by France, Germany and the US.

Officials in Pristina have said that this proposal represents a good basis for continuing the dialogue with Serbia, while those in Belgrade have said that it is not favorable for them.

The plan, to which REL had access, foresees equal rights for Kosovo and Serbia, respect for territorial integrity, inviolability of borders, recognition of state symbols and a special arrangement for the Serbian community in Kosovo.

The document does not mention the mutual recognition between Kosovo and Serbia or Kosovo's membership in the United Nations Organization - which Kosovar officials publicly insist on - but emphasizes the support that the parties should give each other in the European integration process. / REL