Kosovo dialogue "not to return to status"

The EP rapporteur for Kosovo says the recently adopted resolution "envisages that Serbia should start dialogue with Kosovo without initiating status talks". "This is what is important," Ulrike Lunacek stated for the Tuesday edition of the Belgrade-based daily Vecernje Novosti, explaining why she eliminated at the last moment part of her amendment that referred to Kosovo's partition. Kosovo dialogue "not to return to status" "I realized in the meantime based on consultations with other MPs and the atmosphere in the parliament that it would be less likely for this amendment to be adopted if it was submitted its initial form that excludes talks on partition. Therefore, I extracted that part," said the Austrian MEP. "The resolution underlines the progress that Serbia has made toward the EU. It also stipulates the remaining requirements that primarily refer to the justice system and the media, as well as the necessary completion of cooperation with the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY). Two remaining indictees are still at large, and this should not be overlooked," Lunacek said. She added that the resolution also underscores that the future dialogue "between Serbia and Kosovo cannot include the issue of Kosovo status thereby reaffirming Kosovo's sovereignty". "The resolution precisely determines that the status of Kosovo, as it is today, cannot be brought into question. The fact that the status cannot be questioned implies that there will be no discussion on the borders that is division of Kosovo. Now, we should look to the future. Moreover, Serbia and Kosovo should discuss their EU paths for the sake of their citizens, and this should be the focus of the dialogue," Lunacek said. She expressed hope that the dialogue will start as soon as possible that is immediately after the election of a new government in Kosovo.

Kosovo dialogue "not to return to status"

"I realized in the meantime based on consultations with other MPs and the atmosphere in the parliament that it would be less likely for this amendment to be adopted if it was submitted its initial form that excludes talks on partition. Therefore, I extracted that part," said the Austrian MEP.

"The resolution underlines the progress that Serbia has made toward the EU. It also stipulates the remaining requirements that primarily refer to the justice system and the media, as well as the necessary completion of cooperation with the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY). Two remaining indictees are still at large, and this should not be overlooked," Lunacek said.

She added that the resolution also underscores that the future dialogue "between Serbia and Kosovo cannot include the issue of Kosovo status thereby reaffirming Kosovo's sovereignty".

"The resolution precisely determines that the status of Kosovo, as it is today, cannot be brought into question. The fact that the status cannot be questioned implies that there will be no discussion on the borders that is division of Kosovo. Now, we should look to the future. Moreover, Serbia and Kosovo should discuss their EU paths for the sake of their citizens, and this should be the focus of the dialogue," Lunacek said.

She expressed hope that the dialogue will start as soon as possible that is immediately after the election of a new government in Kosovo.