The European Union is unraveling the mistakes in the Brussels dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia, in order to give life to the process of normalizing relations between the two neighboring countries, the bloc's foreign policy chief, Kaja Kallas, said on Monday in Podgorica.
Asked about the stalled dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia, Kallas said during a press conference that "what we are doing this month is analyzing" together with the EU's envoy for the dialogue, Peter Sorensen, who took office in February.
"What is important for us is the normalization of relations, because without this neither of them can move forward on the path towards the EU," Kallas said.
Kallas did not provide further details on what he thinks were the mistakes or what has not gone well so far in the bloc-mediated dialogue.
Despite the dialogue developed over the years and the signing of agreements, the process has stalled and tensions have increased.
Under EU mediation, Kosovo and Serbia reached an agreement in 2023 on a path toward normalizing relations. But since then, the bloc has criticized both countries for failing to implement the agreement, despite it being binding on them.
Kallas, in an interview with Radio Free Europe on April 2, said that the European Union is interested in normalizing relations between Kosovo and Serbia, whether through dialogue or some other instrument.
"Maybe it's dialogue, maybe it's another tool. I am ready to examine this issue, and I will do so together with the Special Representative [for the Kosovo-Serbia dialogue, Peter Sorensen] in the coming days," Kallas had said.
Due to the crises in northern Kosovo, which increased tensions between the two countries, no round of political dialogue has taken place in Brussels since September 2023, but there have only been talks at the level of chief negotiators.
With the visit to Podgorica, Kallas began her official tour of the Western Balkan countries - the first in the region in her capacity as head of European diplomacy.
From April 7 to 9, Kallas will also be in Albania and Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Kallas said she is concerned about regional stability and warned that this issue will be discussed tomorrow in Sarajevo.
"Attacks on the unity and constitutional order of Bosnia and Herzegovina cannot be tolerated. Politicians have a great responsibility to work together and make the country progress towards the EU. They must overcome divisions, not deepen them, which is very important for the stability of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the region," Kallas said.
She has not announced a visit to Kosovo and Serbia.
Kallas called on Montenegro to commit to reforms
During the press conference, together with the Prime Minister of Montenegro, Milojko Spajic, Kallas said that Montenegro has made progress on its path towards the European Union, but that much remains to be done and that the focus must remain on reforms.
"I welcome the commitment because reforms are needed for the accession process. We know that there are no shortcuts, reforms must be implemented. I welcome the agreement with the opposition that allows the Assembly to continue its work," said Kallas.
She expressed gratitude that Montenegro supports the United Nations Resolution on Ukraine and respects its territorial integrity:
"It is very important to remain faithful to these values. We know that we can count on the support of Montenegro."
Montenegrin Prime Minister Spajic said that last year was the most successful in terms of Montenegro's European integration.
"Montenegro has no dilemmas, the European Union is our strategic path and there is nothing that can distract us from it," said Spajic.
He emphasized that Montenegro is a leader in the European integration process.
"I hope that this year we will close several negotiation chapters with the EU. Last year was very successful. Thank you for your support and everything you do for us," said Spajic.
After Podgorica, Kallas will hold a meeting in Cetinje with the President of Montenegro, Jakov Milatović, on relations between the EU and Montenegro, the country's strategic direction and progress in the EU accession process.
According to announcements, the EU's chief diplomat will also meet with the ambassadors of EU member states and will hold a meeting with representatives of civil society in Podgorica.
It has also been announced that Kallas will present at the military airport in Podgorica the EU's support in the field of defense and security and, in the presence of the Minister of Defense, Dragan Krapović, will present the support package for the Montenegrin Army from the European Peace Facility.
Montenegro has been in negotiations for membership with the European Union for almost 13 years. So far, out of a total of 33 chapters, it has closed six.
It is expected that several more chapters will be closed at the June meeting of the Intergovernmental Conference in Brussels.
By the end of the year, according to warnings from the chief negotiator with the EU, Predrag Zenović, up to nine chapters could be closed./ REL (A2 Televizion)
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