European Union High Representative for Foreign Affairs, Kaja Kallas, held her first bilateral meetings today in Brussels with Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti, Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić, and Montenegrin President Jakov Milatović. The discussions centered on recent developments in the region, including the situation in northern Kosovo and the ongoing Kosovo-Serbia dialogue.
EU spokesperson for foreign policy and security, Anitta Hipper, stated in a response to Gazeta Express that the focus of these meetings was on regional developments, the Beograd-Pristina process, and preparations for the upcoming EU-Western Balkans summit. These meetings, while not directly part of the dialogue framework led by Kallas, addressed the key issues impacting the region today.
“The talks focused on the latest regional developments, including the situation in northern Kosovo, the Belgrade-Pristina process, and preparations for the EU-Western Balkans summit,” Hipper explained.
Kallas first met with Serbian President Vučić at 13:45, followed by a meeting with Prime Minister Kurti at 14:45, and then Montenegrin President Milatović at 15:45. Additionally, Kallas, alongside EU Commissioner for Neighborhood and Enlargement, Olivér Várhelyi, was confirmed to attend a non-formal dinner hosted by the new President of the European Council, Antonio Costa. This dinner will bring together six Western Balkan leaders at 20:00.
After the meetings, Kallas shared her thoughts, emphasizing that the only path to EU membership for both Kosovo and Serbia is through the normalization of relations, based on the Ohrid Agreement. She also welcomed the willingness of both leaders to cooperate fully following the recent terrorist attack, asserting that the perpetrators must face justice.
“The only path to EU membership is through the normalization of relations, based on the Ohrid Agreement,” Kallas wrote after meeting with Kurti and Vučić. “I welcomed the willingness to cooperate fully after the recent terrorist attack. The perpetrators must face justice.”
