News

KOSOVO AND SERBIA: THE ASSOCIATION OF SERB-MAJORITY MUNICIPALITIES AND DIALOGUE

CIG organized a roundtable for government officials, political party leaders and members of civil society from Kosovo and Serbia. The discussion addressed the establishment of the Association/Community of the Serb-majority municipalities in Kosovo and the dialogue between Pristina and Belgrade. The first day of the discussion focused on the establishment of the Association of ten Serb-majority municipalities. The participants listed a number of obstacles that are delaying the formation of the Association. Many Kosovo speakers held Belgrade and the remaining parallel institutions in the north responsible for the delay in the implementation of the Brussels agreement of which the Association is a part. The Serb speakers argued that the delay is largely because it took Pristina six months to form the new government. The second day focused on the future of the dialogue. Many speakers said that it is difficult to continue with the dialogue and reach new agreements as long as the old ones are not implemented. A number of Kosovo representatives were against the continuation of the dialogue in this format, arguing that this is not in the interest of Kosovo and that Kosovo should not discuss with neighbors its internal issues. They said a dialogue on such issues is needed with Kosovo Serbs but not with Belgrade.

[URIS id=186]