The prime minister of Kosovo, Albin Kurti, has announced that he has agreed to the plan proposed by the European Union (EU), which is aimed at improving the relations between Kosovo and Serbia, Reuters writes.
In January, Western representatives told Kosovo and Serbia that it was time to decide whether to accept an 11-point peace plan. If countries reject the plan, they have to face consequences from the US and the EU.
Kosovo declared independence in 2008, and since then the countries have been negotiating with the EU as a mediator. One of the main goals of both Belgrade and Pristina is to join the EU. The bloc’s proposed peace plan does not require Serbia to recognize Kosovo’s independence, but Belgrade must stop opposing Kosovo’s membership in international organizations.
The 11-point plan envisages the implementation of previously concluded agreements, including the establishment of semi-autonomous municipalities in areas mainly inhabited by ethnic Serbs. Kurti has criticized this idea, stating that it will ethnically divide the country, but the West has rejected these accusations.
The Prime Minister of Kosovo wrote on Twitter:
«We do accept the EU proposal for normalisation of relations between Kosovo and Serbia, and consider it a good basis for further discussion and a solid platform for moving forward.»
Last week, Kurti also said he was considering granting some autonomy to certain municipalities, but only if it did not violate Kosovo’s constitution, and autonomy was not granted solely on ethnic grounds. He noted that there are issues that still need to be resolved in Brussels.
About 100 thousand of Kosovo’s population of 1,8 million are ethnic Serbs, and half of them live in the northern part of the country. Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic warned parliament last week that if Serbia does not accept the peace plan, its EU accession talks will be suspended, and access to EU funds and investments will be denied.
Read also: Serbs in Kosovo begin to remove barricades