The European Union is ready to convene a high-level meeting between Kosovo and Serbia, but both sides must demonstrate the political will to make it happen, EU representative to the United Nations Stavros Lamperinos said.
Speaking at a UN Security Council meeting on Kosovo, Lamperinos said EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas remained prepared to call such a meeting, stressing that normalisation of relations between Kosovo and Serbia remains a key condition for both countries’ European integration.
“The High Representative remains ready to convene a high-level meeting, but willingness from both sides is needed. We encourage the parties to take ownership of this effort towards normalisation, engage in good faith and make such a meeting possible,” Lamperinos said.
He reaffirmed the EU’s commitment to the European perspective of the entire Western Balkans, emphasising the importance of implementing the 2023 Agreement on the Path to Normalisation, as well as previous agreements reached through the EU-facilitated dialogue.
EU Welcomes Agreement on Law on Foreigners
Lamperinos also expressed concern about the situation in northern Kosovo and developments during the summer months, including demolitions.
He welcomed the agreement reached with Kosovo on March 14 concerning the Law on Foreigners and called on both sides to continue efforts to reduce tensions.
The EU representative further urged the parties to create conditions for a multi-ethnic judiciary and facilitate the return of Serb judges and prosecutors.
US Also Calls for Concrete Steps Towards Stability
The EU’s appeal comes amid similar calls from the United States, which has urged Kosovo and Serbia to take concrete steps towards building stable relations and engaging constructively in dialogue.
US representative to the UN Security Council Tammy Bruce said peace between the two countries was essential.
Meanwhile, the United Kingdom called on Serbia to bring those responsible for the Banjska attack, including Milan Radoičić, to justice. British representative Jennifer MacNaughtan also referred to the killing of Kosovo Police Sergeant Afrim Bunjaku and urged Serbia to provide access to archives to help establish the fate of people who went missing during the war in Kosovo.
France, for its part, criticised amendments to Kosovo’s law on the Specialist Chambers, arguing that they were inconsistent with Kosovo’s international obligations.
Representatives of Russia and China also raised concerns at the Security Council over what they described as attacks on and violations of the rights of Kosovo Serbs. They also criticised KFOR’s decision to optimise its troop deployment following an improvement in the security situation.
