Borrell: Time for Belgrade, Pristina to demonstrate responsibility

BRUSSELS - EU foreign policy and security chief Josep Borrell said on Thursday he expected Saturday's Ohrid meeting, which will focus on the implementation annex of a proposed EU agreement between Belgrade and Pristina, to result in far-reaching normalisation of relations between the two sides.

"This Saturday, I will convene a high-level meeting of the Belgrade-Pristina Dialogue. This time is different from previous meetings. Not just because I will meet President of Serbia Aleksandar Vucic and PM of Kosovo Albin Kurti in the region, in Ohrid, North Macedonia, instead of in the familiar halls of the European External Action Service in Brussels. But also, because we will focus our discussion on the Implementation Annex of the recent EU Agreement that will result in far-reaching normalisation of relations between Kosovo and Serbia," Borrell wrote in a post on his blog.

"Both together will, in essence, result in normalisation of life of people in the region and open Kosovo’s and Serbia’s respective path towards joining the EU," he added.

"The EU is the eventual home for Serbia and Kosovo. I will continue to work tirelessly towards eventually reaching a comprehensive agreement on normalisation of relations that is acceptable to EU member states, is in line with international law and the European acquis, and contributes to regional stability. The agreement on the table is an important step towards that objective," he noted.

"This is the time for the leaders of Kosovo, Serbia and of the entire Western Balkans to show courage, and to demonstrate shared responsibility for the success of the EU accession process of the region," Borrell also said.