Kosovo dialogue round ends, participants make no statements

Kosovo dialogue round ends, participants make no statements

Representatives of Belgrade and Pristina met for the second time in a week after tensions increased over a train that was to travel from Belgrade to Kosovska Mitrovica, and after incendiary statements.

On Wednesday, representatives of Pristina first met with EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini in a separate meeting that lasted about half an hour, followed by her meeting with representatives of Belgrade that started at 20:30 CET. Half an hour later, the three sides had a working dinner.

Serbia was represented by PM Aleksandar Vucic and President Tomislav Nikolic, while President Hashim Thaci and PM Isa Mustafa traveled to Brussels representing the Pristina side.

As the participants decided not to make any statements to reporters, it is not known what the two delegations talked about, and whether the topics included those the Serbian side expected to be on the agenda. The meeting's outcome is also unknown.

According to announcements earlier on Wednesday, the sides were to consider the implementation of the already reached agreements and open issues, including the Community of Serb Municipalities, energy, and judiciary.

Nikolic said in Brussels ahead of the talks that Serbia was defending many country's territories and right to sovereignty.

"Nobody is optimistic any more in the EU and Pristina that we might discuss what's important to them, the so-called independence of Kosovo. The Albanians and Mogherini want to raise the issue of the justice system, to return to the bridge in northern Mitrovica, whether or not that can survive... we insist on the Community of Serb Municipalities, that's our topic," he said.

"Encouraged"

"In our meeting today we followed up on the discussions we had in the dDialogue on January 24. I am encouraged by the constructive engagement shown by both sides. This commitment and political will contributes significantly to reducing tensions and we will continue to work in this spirit," Federica Mogherini said in a statement issued after the negotiations last night, and added:

"The dialogue is a very important process for Serbia and Kosovo, but also for the region and the European Union. Progressing in the normalization of relations is key for both to preserve peace and advance towards the European Union. It is essential for Europe and for regional stability."

"All participants today reconfirmed their full commitment to working together within the dialogue. I would like to thank all participants, Presidents Thaci and Nikolic and Prime MinistersVucic and Mustafa for the frank and constructive discussion we had," said Mogherini.