The European Union (EU) has stated that it will continue its close coordination with the United States regarding the Kosovo-Serbia dialogue, emphasizing that their goal is to ensure a stable, economically prosperous, and fully integrated region within the Euro-Atlantic community. Experts suggest that only with intensive involvement from the US can progress be made in the dialogue.
Communication between the EU and the US regarding the Kosovo-Serbia dialogue is expected to deepen further.
A spokesperson for the EU told RTV21 that the EU is in contact with the US on the matter and will continue to coordinate closely with them.
“The EU and the US are in contact. The goal is a stable region, economically flourishing, and fully integrated into our Euro-Atlantic community. We will continue to coordinate closely with the US,” said the EU spokesperson.
According to EU law professor Emrush Ujkani, the Kosovo-Serbia dialogue cannot make progress without coordination between the EU and the US. He stressed that more intensive US involvement in the dialogue process is a guarantee for a successful final outcome.
“Without coordination between the EU and the US, I do not expect progress in the dialogue. The EU and Washington may differ on many issues, but as far as the Western Balkans is concerned, we have seen that even during the Trump administration, there wasn’t much coordination, and this will continue in the same way. This would be a better guarantee for having a successful final outcome in this prolonged process,” Ujkani said.
Former diplomat Gëzim Kasapolli also believes that the US must be more deeply involved in the dialogue, as without that, progress in the process cannot be made.
“There can’t be progress without intensive involvement in the dialogue. The US must be present in the dialogue. I believe the US needs to engage deeply; otherwise, I don’t expect progress. Kosovo’s issue is not currently an imperative for the US, but the time will come,” said Kasapolli.
The dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia has stalled for some time. However, recently, EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas stated that the union is interested in normalizing relations between the two countries, either through dialogue or some other instrument.
“We have always said that the EU has mechanisms, tools to advance this process. I think, in addition to incentives like financial and economic instruments, they can be used in any situation. One of them is the growth plan, but there could be other mechanisms to encourage both countries to make progress. But there could also be other alternatives. Naturally, both countries are promised faster progress on the European agenda,” Ujkani said.
“What is positive is that Kallas has highlighted this stagnation. Ms. Kallas has clearly seen that the dialogue has stalled, and in order to move forward, there needs to be not only dialogue but also other mechanisms… The EU should make it clear that Serbia must think about stronger measures, and the measures the EU can impose are economic and political. The EU needs to be stricter with Serbia,” Kasapolli concluded.
Kosovo and Serbia reached the Brussels Basic Agreement and the Ohrid Annex in 2023, but these agreements have yet to be implemented.
