Belgrade and Pristina agree on the status of the Republic of Kosovo
According to European Voice, Belgrade and Pristina agreed on the status of Kosovo. From now on, the self-proclaimed state will be able to fully represent itself at international meetings.It should be noted that Serbia did not recognize the republic, but recognized Kosovo’s right to participate in regional organizations in the Balkans and the right to sign official documents. The relevant compromise agreement was concluded in Brussels. According to a representative of the European Commission, Maya Kosjacic, the parties also agreed to jointly protect the disputed border.
Negotiations between the province of Kosovo and Serbia were resumed on Wednesday after the 2-month pause. The mediator was the European Union. The signed agreement is the first agreement reached by the parties since 2008, when Kosovo made a statement about secession from Serbia unilaterally. Representatives of Pristina insisted that the text of the document should include a provision recognizing the independence of Kosovo, but such a provision was not included in the agreement.
Last October, the European Commission recommended giving Belgrade the status of an EU candidate, but did not make a decision on this issue at the December summit. It should be noted that in Brussels it was repeatedly said that the issue of Serbia’s joining the EU depends on the settlement of relations with Pristina by Belgrade. The point here is that Kosovo also claims to participate in the European Union: the independence of this republic was recognized by twenty-two of the twenty-seven EU member states.
Recall that the Kosovo armed conflict 1998-1999's. started because of an attempt by local Albanians, who make up roughly 90% of the population, to achieve independence. The Serbian authorities obstructed the secession of the province, which ultimately led to seven-seven to seven-day bombing of Serbia by NATO member countries. An international military contingent was introduced in Kosovo, which was entrusted with the tasks of preventing hostilities and maintaining security in the enclave.
In the 2008 year, with the support of the United States and the European Union countries, the Albanian authorities unilaterally declared Kosovo’s independence from Serbia. But Belgrade does not recognize the self-proclaimed state.
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