Lajčak: Dialogue progress in Kosovo and Serbia slower than expected

The European Union's Special Representative for Dialogue, Miroslav Lajčak, stated that progress in the dialogue has been slower than he had hoped, but what has been achieved continues to primarily benefit the citizens in both Kosovo and Serbia. However, he emphasized that he has been encouraged by the recent small steps forward, such as the establishment of the Joint Commission on Missing Persons, CE Report quotes Kosova Press.

Lajčak wrote on Facebook that it is high time to bring together the families and loved ones of those whose fate is still unknown. The Joint Commission is set to provide the necessary political push.

"Just before the holidays, I met with the chief negotiators, First Deputy Prime Minister Besnik Bislimi and Director Petar Petković. I thanked them for their good cooperation during the past period. The meeting took place during a busy week for the Western Balkans, including the EU-Western Balkans Summit and the adoption of the Council Conclusions on Enlargement. Both for Kosovo and for Serbia, they send a clear message that there will be no EU integration without the normalization of their relations and offer a detailed work plan for the year ahead, approved by all EU member states. They outline expectations for the implementation of the Ohrid Agreement 2023: de-escalation of tensions, accountability for the 2023 attacks, reintegration of Kosovo Serbs, the establishment of the Association of Serb-majority Municipalities, recognition of Kosovo’s documents & symbols," he wrote.

He also mentioned his visit to Skopje, where he reconfirmed that enlargement is happening and expressed his commitment to meeting the set requirements.