Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti has recently taken a more accommodating approach toward the Serbian community by accepting ID cards issued by Serbia as part of a compromise to initiate the implementation of the Law on Foreigners and the Law on Vehicles. These concessions were welcomed by international partners. In this context, Kurti has also been speaking about incorporating the health and education systems—currently operating under Serbia’s parallel structures—into Kosovo’s legal framework.
The most sensitive points of agreements reached in the Brussels Dialogue appear to be shifting in focus, as Kurti increasingly emphasizes his commitment to integrating these sectors into Kosovo’s system.
“We will incorporate all structures within the health and education systems. You know that other illegal Serbian structures, such as those related to security, finance, and administration, no longer exist. Only education and health remain, and we will incorporate them,” Kurti told journalists when asked about the latest agreement with the EU.
Kurti had also raised this issue with foreign ambassadors earlier this year, whom he gathered in January to discuss the implementation of the Law on Foreigners and the Law on Vehicles.
At that meeting, he spoke about the “necessity of initiating the gradual integration of health and education systems as part of a comprehensive and long-term approach,” adding that the process would be carried out in coordination with the European Union and would take into account “the concerns and advice of the non-majority Serbian community in Kosovo.”
Media outlets sought clarification from Brussels regarding these developments and whether Kosovo’s commitments within the dialogue process remain in place.
An EU spokesperson responded that the latest agreement demonstrates that the EU-facilitated dialogue continues to deliver results and must remain in line with all relevant agreements within the process.
“As the High Representative stated: ‘The agreement on civil registration and the Law on Foreigners in Kosovo mark an important step forward. It is essential to ensure continuity in the provision of public services.’ This also shows that the EU-facilitated dialogue continues to deliver practical results for people in Kosovo and Serbia. It must be fully in line with all relevant agreements of the dialogue, in close coordination with Kosovo Serbs and their representatives, as well as with the EU Special Representative for the dialogue,” the spokesperson said.
The EU also emphasized that the inclusion of the Serbian community in Kosovo and their representatives is essential.
“Implementation must be carried out in close coordination with them, as well as with the EU Special Representative for the dialogue.”
A similar message was previously conveyed by the U.S. Embassy in Pristina when commenting on the recent agreement on the implementation of these two laws.
Despite continued international expectations tied to the dialogue process, Kurti stated that during his five years in office, no additional structures beyond Kosovo’s constitutional framework have been established.
“For five years as Prime Minister, opposition figures have often claimed ‘this will happen this month’ or ‘next month,’ but five years equal 60 months—and none of that has materialized. Therefore, you have a government of the Republic that is democratic and ensures welfare, security, and prosperity for all citizens without distinction,” Kurti said.
The Ohrid Agreement, reached between Albin Kurti and Aleksandar Vučić in March 2023 under EU mediation, outlines provisions related to self-management for the Serbian community in Kosovo, including service delivery in certain sectors, potential financial support, and direct communication channels with Kosovo’s institutions.
