Serbia and Kosovo reach agreement on normalizing ties in talks with EU officials

Following 12 hours of talks in Ohrid, North Macedonia, between the leaders of Serbia and Kosovo and EU officials, an agreement has been reached on how to implement a deal to normalize ties, according to the EU’s foreign policy chief, Josep Borrell.

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic stated that the few points agreed upon during the talks would become part of the negotiation framework for both sides.

However, Kosovar Prime Minister Albin Kurti stated that Vucic did not sign the implementation deal on Saturday.

The responsibility now falls to the European Union to devise a mechanism for creating a legally and internationally binding agreement.

The EU-led Belgrade-Pristina Dialogue, which was launched in 2011, aims to find a mutually agreeable solution for disputes in the framework of a legally binding agreement.

The EU has made it clear that Kosovo and Serbia must reach a final deal and resolve their conflicts to advance their integration into the bloc.

The 11-point agreement calls for both sides to acknowledge each other’s documents, such as passports and license plates, and to maintain good neighborly relations.