RT.com
19 Mar 2023, 17:43 GMT+10
The breakaway province has agreed to greater autonomy for its minority population, says the Serbian president
Serbia and its breakaway province, Kosovo, have made headway in normalizing ties and reached agreement on several crucial points, President Aleksandar Vucic announced on Saturday. Pristina has consented to the creation of the Community of Serb Municipalities (CSM), which would give greater autonomy to the Serb population in several areas of Kosovo, Vucic added.
Speaking after a high-level meeting in Ohrid, North Macedonia, attended by Kosovo's Prime Minister Albin Kurti and top EU diplomat Josep Borrell, Vucic said that while he "had not signed anything today," the parties "had made good progress in a constructive atmosphere."
"It was no D-day, but it was an OK day," he summed up.
"These few points that we agreed upon will become part of the negotiation framework for each of the parties... The European Council will assess how much has been done by the implementation plan, which will have to be expanded," Vucic stated.
He highlighted that Belgrade attached much importance to the formation of the Community of Serb Municipalities. "That's why I'm really happy. It was stated that the formation of the CMS should be started immediately, but I don't know if Pristina will do it."
"If we want to persevere on the European path, our progress will also be appreciated in terms of the implementation of what I told you about tonight," the president added.
Progress was also confirmed by the EU's Borrell. "The parties have fully committed to honor all articles of the agreement and implement their respective obligations expediently and in good faith," he tweeted.
Last month, the EU unveiled a proposal for a "path to normalization" of relations between Belgrade and Pristina. At the time, the bloc insisted that the two develop "good-neighborly relations," recognize each other's documents and "proceed on the assumption that neither of the two can represent the other in the international sphere."
Both parties must also "ensure an appropriate level of self-management for the Serbian community in Kosovo," the EU said at the time.
However, Vucic signaled that while Serbia is ready to work on implementing many points of the EU-backed plan, formal recognition and Kosovo's accession to the UN are out of the question.
Kosovo unilaterally declared independence in 2008 with the support of the US and many of its allies. The breakaway region is not recognized by several countries, including Russia, China and Serbia itself.
(RT.com)
Get a daily dose of New York Telegraph news through our daily email, its complimentary and keeps you fully up to date with world and business news as well.
Publish news of your business, community or sports group, personnel appointments, major event and more by submitting a news release to New York Telegraph.
More InformationWASHINGTON, D.C.: Filmmaker Peter Jackson's lifelong fascination with the extinct giant New Zealand flightless bird called the moa...
NEW DELHI, India: India has submitted a revised proposal to the World Trade Organization (WTO) in Geneva to implement retaliatory tariffs...
SAN FRANCISCO, California: Nvidia, the Silicon Valley chipmaker at the heart of the artificial intelligence boom, this week briefly...
REDMOND, Washington: Artificial intelligence is transforming Microsoft's bottom line. The company saved over US$500 million last year...
WASHINGTON, D.C.: A federal rule designed to make it easier for Americans to cancel subscriptions has been blocked by a U.S. appeals...
BASTROP, Texas: In a surprising turn at Elon Musk's X platform, CEO Linda Yaccarino announced she is stepping down, just months after...
NEW YORK CITY, New York: Former British prime minister Rishi Sunak will return to Goldman Sachs in an advisory role, the Wall Street...
WASHINGTON, D.C.: Travelers at U.S. airports will no longer need to remove their shoes during security screenings, Department of Homeland...
NEW YORK CITY, New York: Financial markets kicked off the week on a cautious note as President Donald Trump rolled out a fresh round...
(Photo credit: Eric Canha-Imagn Images) In his 51st career start, Garrett Crochet accomplished two feats in one dominant outing:...
(Photo credit: Daniel Kucin Jr.-Imagn Images) Two teams that have long climbs if they're going to reach the postseason needed a sweep...
(Photo credit: Scott Kinser-Imagn Images) Idan Toklomati scored early and Kerwin Vargas tallied late as Charlotte FC came away with...