J. Joksimović: We expect the EU and Lajčák to focus on the implementation of the Brussels Agreement

May 03 2020 | Belgrade

J. Joksimović: We expect the EU and Lajčák to focus on the implementation of the Brussels Agreement

Minister of European Integration Jadranka Joksimović has stated today that, with regard to the Belgrade–Pristina dialogue, Serbia should not make lines of division regarding who demonstrates better leadership, whether the EU or the USA, but it should promote its interests with both of them, as well as with others who support Serbia’s position on the status of so-called Kosovo.

“We should not introduce a line of division regarding who is more capable, who has which intention and what the outcome will be. As far as we are concerned, we are striving to promote out interests both with the EU and the USA, and, of course, with those who support Serbia’s position on the status of so-called Kosovo.”

Joksimović has noted that the EU has not lost its role in the Belgrade–Pristina dialogue, adding that it is obvious that the initiatives of the USA and Special Presidential Envoy Richard Grenell have been very engaged and concrete, focused and pragmatic, particularly regarding the abolition of taxes on goods from central Serbia.

Joksimović believes that the EU Special Representative for the Belgrade-Pristina Dialogue, Miroslav Lajčák, will certainly focus on the Brussels Agreement.

“He has made the first round of telephone conversations with everyone; he has talked to our President Vučić, who clearly conveyed our position and our expectations. We have a list of what we have done so far and what we expect Pristina to do,” stated Joksimović.

As regards Special Presidential Envoy Richard Grenell, Joksimović has said that he has been focused on a part of the pragmatic approach advocating the relaxation of economic measures, adding that there have been several initiatives, as well as a strong pressure to Pristina to abolish taxes on goods from central Serbia.

“This has definitely been the focus of Grenell’s arrangement so far. His initiatives have not interfered with the essence of the EU’s task in this process – acting as an intermediary in the dialogue related to the Brussels Agreement,” stated the Minister.

She has said that the Brussels Agreement, that initial agreement, has not been fully implemented because Pristina has not established the Community of Serb Municipalities, while Belgrade has fulfilled its obligations in that regard.

She has stated that political relations in Pristina, which are volatile, certainly do not form a stable environment for representatives of Belgrade and Pristina to sit and talk.The Minister has emphasised that Belgrade’s delegation, President Aleksandar Vučić, the Office for Kosovo and Metohija, and the Negotiating Team in general are working with full dedication, adding that it is first necessary to see what Pristina is doing with regard to forming a new government.

According to her, the resumption of the dialogue does not depend on Belgrade at the moment, adding that, when conditions are met, it is necessary to see what has been done and where things stand regarding the Brussels Agreement.

Asked whether she thinks it is possible to speak about the continuation of the dialogue this year, Joksimović has said that it first needs to be seen what will happen with the Government in Pristina, now that Isa Mustafa has found a new coalition partner, with deadlines being set for the end of May.

“For now, we are only observers, interested observers. If someone calls us to return to the table, we will, we just need to see with whom exactly, whether we can have a fundamental exchange of opinions, and to see what has been achieved so far,” stated Joksimović.

Source: Tanjug