European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen urged Serbia and Kosovo to move closer quickly. The normalization of relations is a “prerequisite for the respective path to Europe”, von der Leyen said today during a joint appearance with Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic.
Von der Leyen also said that EU-mediated dialogue between Belgrade and Prishtina is “the only way forward”. Vucic, in turn, accused Kosovo of not complying with agreements signed years ago.
The EU held separate talks with Vucic and Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti on the sidelines of the Brussels summit last week. However, the mediation initiative ended without results.
European Commission presents enlargement report
Yesterday von der Leyen visited the capital of Kosovo, Prishtina. There, she strongly condemned the recent violence in northern Kosovo, with several deaths. Kosovo declared its independence from Serbia in 2008, but Belgrade still considers it a breakaway territory.
The conflict is seen as the main obstacle to both countries’ admission to the EU. Serbia has been a candidate for membership since 2012, Kosovo is only considered a “possible candidate for membership”. On November 8th, the European Commission will present this year’s enlargement report.