EU Special Representative for the Kosovo–Serbia Dialogue, Peter Sørensen, has confirmed the start of work of the Joint Commission on Missing Persons, marking the first trilateral meeting of the body involving Kosovo, Serbia, and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).
The announcement comes one day after meetings between the chief negotiators of Kosovo and Serbia in Brussels, held as part of the EU-facilitated dialogue process.
In his statement, Sørensen noted that the Joint Commission was established as a result of an agreement reached in May 2023 between Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti and Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić, during a high-level meeting.
Mandate and Objectives of the Commission
According to Sørensen, the primary purpose of the Joint Commission is to oversee the implementation of the Declaration on Missing Persons, which aims to:
- Clarify the fate of missing persons, including those who were forcibly disappeared
- Provide truth and answers to affected families
- Contribute to lasting peace and reconciliation between the parties
The Commission will also support the Working Group on Missing Persons, which is led by the International Committee of the Red Cross, by facilitating cooperation between the parties and helping resolve disputes that may arise during implementation.
“The EU facilitator, Kosovo, Serbia, and the International Committee of the Red Cross may address the Commission with any questions related to the implementation, application, or interpretation of the Declaration,” Sørensen stated.
EU Expectations
Sørensen emphasized that the European Union has high expectations for the Joint Commission’s work, expressing hope that it will make a tangible contribution to resolving the fate of missing persons and help close a painful chapter for families who have waited for answers for many years.
