Josep Borrell, the head of EU diplomacy, has issued a warning to Kosovo and Serbia on the eve of the anniversary of the Ohrid Agreement's signing. In a statement released on March 17, he expressed regret over both countries' failure to meet their obligations under the agreement, warning that their European integration prospects could be jeopardized.
Monday marks a year since Kosovo and Serbia signed the Ohrid Agreement. The agreement and its implementing annex were supposed to pave the way for the normalization of relations between the two countries.
"For the first time during the EU-facilitated dialogue, the parties agreed on clear parameters that determine the trajectory of the normalization process of their relations. This Agreement and its implementation will clearly show that the future of both partners lies in the European Union," Borrell stated.
However, since then, tensions between Pristina and Belgrade have repeatedly flared up.
Borrell further added, "it is regrettable that, despite numerous efforts by the EU and the international community, both Kosovo and Serbia have so far made very limited progress in fulfilling their obligations under the agreement."
The EU has repeatedly stressed the necessity for full implementation of the Agreement in line with international law. Borrell pointed out that any failure to comply not only endangers the European integration process for both countries but also undermines their credibility as reliable partners.
"It is time for both Kosovo and Serbia to break the current vicious cycle of crises and tensions and move into a new – European – era… We expect the leaders of Kosovo and Serbia to demonstrate responsibility, vision and leadership by making progress on implementation without further delay," Borrell concluded.
This warning comes as the EU recently launched a new round of negotiations between Serbia and Kosovo to address disagreements over the Serbian dinar's circulation in Kosovo's northern municipalities.
