The new chief diplomat of the EU, talks with Kosovo and Serbia about the tensions between them

2024-12-03 22:50:56, Kosova & Bota CNA

The new chief diplomat of the EU, talks with Kosovo and Serbia about the

The head of the European Union's foreign policy, Kaja Kallas, said on Tuesday that the only way for Kosovo and Serbia to join the bloc is to normalize relations between them, based on the Ohrid agreement.

Mrs. Kallas, who took up her new position three days ago, made these comments after separate meetings in Brussels with the Prime Minister of Kosovo, Albin Kurti, and the President of Serbia, Aleksandar Vucic.

"I welcomed the willingness to cooperate fully after the latest terrorist attack. The perpetrators must face justice," Ms. Kallas wrote on the X social media platform, referring to Friday's explosion in the canal supplying water from Lake Ujman in northern Kosovo.

The President of Serbia, Aleksandar Vu?i?, wrote about the "open and difficult conversation" with the chief European diplomat.

"The high representative of the European Union for foreign and security policy spoke about the necessity of dialogue with Pristina, the resolution of the Banjska case and the imposition of sanctions against the Russian Federation," wrote President Vucic, underlining that he responded to her "in accordance with the policy and the interests of Serbia".

Serbia is the only European country that has not joined Western sanctions against Russia over its aggression in Ukraine. Western diplomacy is also asking Belgrade to bring to justice those responsible for the September 24, 2023 attack in northern Kosovo when a group of armed Serbs killed a member of the Kosovo police.

Meanwhile, the Serbian President said that he has spoken with the US Assistant Secretary of State, James O'Brien, about the "escalation of the situation" in Kosovo.

"I reiterated Serbia's unwavering stance that promotes peace and maintains stability, seeking strong and clear support from American partners in our efforts," he wrote on social media.

The Prime Minister of Kosovo, Albin Kurti, said after the meeting that the surrender of the former vice-president of the Serbian List, Milan Radoiçiç, who took responsibility for the attack in Bansjka, is one of his conditions for the dialogue, while he reiterated the request for the signing of the agreement for the normalization of relations , which the parties agreed to in March 2023.

"Of course we also discussed the last attack that was done to us in Kosovo, the explosion of the Ibër-Lepenc canal in Zubin Potok of Kosovo, in which case more than half of the population of our country was endangered", said Prime Minister Kurti, who accuses Serbia is behind the explosion.

Belgrade denies the accusations and has expressed its "willingness to cooperate for the investigation" of the attack.

The leaders of both countries are staying in Brussels together with the leaders of other countries of the Western Balkans to meet with the new president of the European Council, Antonio Costa, who meanwhile is preparing the high-level meeting between the EU and the Balkans. West, which is expected to be held on December 18 in Brussels./ VOA