Priština wants "diplomatic relations within 4 years"

Priština wants "diplomatic relations within 4 years"

Now, the daily Večernje Novosti writes, as the continuation of the talks is not even in sight due to the political deadlock in Priština - authorities there are nevertheless seeking to sign "a legally binding agreement and establish diplomatic relations with Serbia." They also want this done "in the next four years."

"We want the dialogue to be in the same format as before, and for a time limit to be set," Kosovo President Atifete Jahjaga was recently quoted as saying.

On the other hand, Belgrade believes that the dialogue does not have a time limit, should remain status-neutral, and result in improvement of living conditions in Kosovo.

According to the daily, Priština's understanding of future negotiations is "undoubtedly supported by the latest European Commission report on Serbia's progress in which it seeks a 'new era of relations' between Serbia and Kosovo, which would be sealed with an agreement between the two sides."

Participant in the dialogue and head of the Government Office for Kosovo Marko Đurić told the paper that it was "important that negotiations last as long as needed" to reach a political agreement on the normalization and improvement of conditions of everyday life:

"It's a very complex political process and often the duration and the manner in which it takes place irritates one. However, it is important to stay focused on the final result: long-term normalization of relations, which is important for the future of Serbs and Albanians. There's no room for outsmarting one another on status issues."

Parliament's Committee on Kosovo and Metohija chair Milovan Drecun says that "normalization does not have a fixed term" and that it is "difficult to say at what point it will be completed - considering almost an entire year has been lost due to the political deadlock in Priština."

"The problem is that Priština has a different view on normalization and is using it to achieve its strategic objectives and an agreements between two states."

Other than announcing that Federica Mogherini would replace Catherine Ashton as mediator, the EU has not to date not offered any other details about the future phase of the currently stalled negotiating process.