The Franco-German proposal which offers a solution to the current hiatus between Kosovo and Serbia through a detailed framework has been leaked in a recent report published by EURACTIV.

Following the brutal Kosovo war between 1998-1999, and Prishtina’s declaration of independence from Serbia in 2008, with US and EU backing, the relationship between the two states has remained strained. Attempts under the EU-facilitated Belgrade-Prishtina dialogue have yielded little tangible progress since its launch in 2011, reports EURACTIV.

However, since September, rumors have spun about a new framework that has been drafted by recently appointed envoys to the region from Paris and Berlin.

Officials in Belgrade and Prishtina confirmed the existence of a new German-French proposal for a deal on Kosovo’s final status but disagreed about what the document actually says.

Proposal contents:

Article 1

Kosovo and Serbia shall develop normal, good neighborly relations with each other based on equal rights.

Article 2

Kosovo and Serbia will be guided by their mutual aspirations to EU membership.

Article 3

In conformity with the SAA [Stabilization and Association Agreements] signed by both parties, Kosovo and Serbia shall settle any disputes between them exclusively by peaceful means and refrain from the threat or use of force.

They reaffirm the inviolability now and in the future of the frontier/boundary existing between them and undertake fully to respect each other’s territorial integrity.

Article 4

Kosovo and Serbia proceed on the assumption that neither of the two parties can represent the other in the international sphere nor act on its behalf.

Article 5

Kosovo and Serbia shall promote peaceful relations in the Western Balkans and contribute to the regional security and cooperation in Europe.

Article 6

Kosovo and Serbia proceed on the mutual respect of each party’s jurisdiction.

Article 7

Kosovo and Serbia declare their readiness to regulate practical and humanitarian questions in the process of the normalization of their relations. They shall conclude agreements with the view to developing and promoting on the basis of the present Treaty and for their mutual benefit cooperation in the fields of economics, science and technology, transport, judicial relations, posts and telecommunications, health, culture, sport, environmental protection, and in other fields. The details have been agreed in the Supplementary Protocol.

Article 8

Kosovo and Serbia shall exchange Permanent Missions. They shall be established at the respective Government’s seat.

Practical questions relating to the establishment of the Missions shall be dealt with separately.

Article 9

Kosovo and Serbia agree that the present Treaty shall not affect the bilateral and multilateral international treaties and agreements already concluded by them or relating to them.