The leaders of the Western Balkans countries met in an informal dinner organized by the High Representative of the European Union Josep Borrell.
Invited at the dinner was the head of the executives, such as Albania’s Edi Rama, Kosovo’s Albin Kurti, North Macedonia’s Zoran Zaev, Serbia’s Ana Brnabic, as well as the Montenegrin President Milo Djukanovic and the head of the Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The EU Commissioner for Neighborhood and Enlargement Oliver Varhelyi was also invited.
The meeting was over the future of the region and the main challenges ahead.
According to the announcement of the European Commission, Western Balkans leaders had a “strategic reflection” together on ways to accelerate reforms to deliver on citizens’ expectations on EU integration, as well as approaches for reinforcing positive and constructive narratives in and about the region.
The leaders confirmed their strong commitment to regional cooperation and agreed to continue addressing global challenges, such as the pandemic.
Among the main challenges mentioned by Borrell were normalizing Kosovo-Serbia relations.
The Prishtina-Belgrade dialogue is set to resume by mid-June where Prime Minister Albin Kurti and Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic will meet for the first time.
“We will discuss on to proceed with the dialogue and what will the agenda be. We need to come to an agreement ahead of the process, we can’t continue as in the past years and preceding governments. We want a dialogue based on principles and that is well prepared”, said Prime Minister Albin Kurti as he underlined that the essence will be on what US President Joe Biden has said, “mutual recognition”.
Another topic discussed was visa liberalization with Kosovo, Kurti said, as Kosovo remains the only country in southeastern Europe to have a visa regime imposed.
Serbian Prime Minister Ana Brnabic said she did “not exchange a single word” with the Kosovar premier, but simply were both at the same dinner table.
Asked if the controversial “non-papers” came up during the meeting, Brnabic responded “only vaguely” and as something that “might disturb regional stability”.
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