The idea proposed in Kosovo by Prime Minister Albin Kurti and reiterated by other officials to separate the European integration process from the dialogue with Serbia is considered in principle illogical and impossible by many diplomats in the European Union headquarters.
Kurti had stated that it is in the interest of the state of Kosovo, the EU, and the USA for Kosovo’s accession process to the European bloc not to be linked to the Kosovo-Serbia dialogue for normalizing relations. Kurti made these statements at the conference “The Growth Plan for Western Balkans and Faster Integration into the EU”, held on January 22 in Skopje, North Macedonia.
Some EU diplomats, with whom Radio Free Europe has spoken, say that solving issues or open questions with neighbors is at the core of the enlargement process.
“Regional cooperation, good neighborly relations, and the readiness to solve open issues with neighbors through political means and dialogue have been established as a condition in the enlargement process, from the Zagreb summit in 2000 until today. Without this condition, enlargement would not make sense, as the EU does not want member countries with conflicts with their neighbors,” said an EU diplomat, recalling that “normalization of relations between Kosovo and Serbia is one of the most important issues, not only for these two countries but for the entire Western Balkans region”.
The EU spokesperson for foreign affairs and security, Peter Stano, also stated that good neighborly relations and reconciliation are the cornerstone of the EU integration process.
“Good neighborly relations, reconciliation, and the normalization of relations are the cornerstone of the EU accession process for each aspiring country. This is also a legal part included in the relevant documents related to the accession process of Kosovo, Serbia, and all other countries,” said Stano in his response.
“The European Union and member states have been crystal clear – both in public statements and directly with partners – that the path to the EU for Kosovo and Serbia goes through the dialogue for normalizing relations,” he added, recalling several conclusions of the EU Council from 2013 to the last ones from December 12 of last year.
In those conclusions, it was written that normalizing relations and implementing obligations from the dialogue are essential conditions on the European path of both Kosovo and Serbia, and both risk losing important opportunities in the absence of progress.
According to European diplomats, the dialogue is a means for normalizing relations between Kosovo and Serbia, while normalization is a condition for both countries to progress in their European integration process. Therefore, these sources say it is impossible and would contradict the logic of the enlargement process if this condition were to be removed.
EU sources have said that Serbia has also stated several times that it cannot “remain a hostage to the dialogue” because Belgrade claims to have fulfilled all obligations, while Kosovo has not, and according to them, “Kosovo is responsible for the lack of progress in the normalization process”.
However, what is understandable, according to EU diplomats, is that each country aspiring to EU membership has its own path and should be evaluated based on its individual merits in meeting the criteria.
“This means that if Kosovo fulfills its obligations and Serbia does not, then Kosovo will not be hindered from progressing. The opposite will also be valid – Serbia will not be a hindrance to Kosovo’s failure to fulfill obligations,” said an EU diplomat.
EU sources remind that the implementation of obligations from the dialogue will also become a formal part of the accession negotiation process with Serbia, including in Chapter 35 of the EU Negotiating Framework, as requested by the EU member states.
