One of the agreements reached in Brussels was the joint declaration on missing persons. However, due to Serbia’s refusal, it has remained only on paper. The European Union acknowledges that its implementation has not yet begun. Peter Stano stated that the implementation will occur once the parties agree on the terms of reference for the Joint Commission, which is expected to monitor the declaration’s implementation.
The declaration on missing persons, signed over a year ago in Brussels between Kosovo and Serbia, has still not been implemented.
Since May 2, 2023, its implementation has remained only on paper.
Regarding the non-implementation of this declaration, RTK inquired with the European Union. In a written response, EU spokesperson Peter Stano confirmed that the implementation of the Declaration on Missing Persons has not yet started.
“The implementation of the Joint Declaration has not yet started. This will happen once the parties agree on the Terms of Reference for the Joint Commission, which is expected to monitor the implementation of the Joint Declaration, supporting the work of the Working Group led by the International Red Cross…” he said.
Stano mentioned that this issue was addressed during the meeting of chief negotiators on October 24. He also denied the representation of Kosovo by UNMIK in the Joint Commission, stating that this was neither proposed nor discussed.
He further added that the EU reiterates that this is ultimately about the families of those still missing and that this issue should not be politicized.
However, political analysts in Kosovo consider this a total irresponsibility on Serbia’s part.
Mazllum Baraliu also states that the international community should speed up the implementation of this declaration, as it is responsible for it.
“Serbia has all the data on the genocide and the victims, including the missing persons in Kosovo, and does not want to provide it because it is very compromising for them. Serbia is the main responsible party for the issue of the missing, and for the tragedy of our mothers waiting in anxiety for their family members…” said Mazllum Baraliu, a political analyst.
Another political analyst, Albinot Maloku, states that Serbia continues its old practice of denying everything that happened before 1999.
“The EU, as a mediator, has not prioritized Kosovo’s demands, despite the recent government steps, especially after the agreements in Ohrid and Brussels. This is, again, due to Kosovo’s failure to use moments to apply pressure on Serbia for the implementation of agreements, and the international factor continues to appear unjust, being biased…” said Maloku.
Since the last war in Kosovo, over two decades ago, more than 1,600 people remain missing, with some believed to be buried in mass graves in Serbia.
