Kosovo, Serbia leaders to discuss ‘all open issues’ in Brussels meeting

By Agnes Szucs

BRUSSELS (AA) – Leaders of Kosovo and Serbia are expected to discuss “all open issues” in bilateral relations during their meeting in Brussels later this week, the European Commission said on Tuesday.

“All open issues will be addressed and should be addressed through the EU-facilitated dialogue” between Belgrade and Pristina, Nabila Massrali, the European Commission’s spokesperson for foreign affairs, told reporters.

EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell will host Kosovo’s Prime Minister Albin Kurti and Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic on Thursday, following recent tensions between the two countries.

The EU will “focus to move the dialogue forward for the benefit of the people of Serbia and Kosovo,” Massrali noted.

She also stressed that the EU finds it important “that both parties must end their hostilities at this point” and “act responsibly.”

On Wednesday, Kurti and Vucic will separately meet with NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg.

Tensions between Serbia and Kosovo escalated earlier this month because of Kosovo’s planned implementation of a new law making it mandatory for everyone, including Serbs living in Kosovo, to have a Kosovo ID card and license plate.

Kosovo later announced that it had decided to delay the new measures until Sept. 1.

Launched in 2011, the EU-led Belgrade-Pristina Dialogue aims to normalize relations between the two Balkan countries and to find a mutually agreeable solution for the disputes in the framework of a legally binding agreement.

Kosovo declared its independence from Serbia in 2008, with most UN member-states, including the US, UK, France, Germany, and Türkiye, recognizing it as an independent country.