Vučić adamant: Until Pristina fulfills its obligations, I can only go to Brussels as a tourist

(Patria) - Until Pristina fulfills its obligations from previous agreements, I can only go to Brussels as a tourist, said Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić, reacting to the invitation of EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell to the leaders of Serbia and Kosovo to continue the dialogue on resolving the Kosovo issue, which is being pushed by the US and the EU.

The continuation of the dialogue to reach a final agreement, despite signals from both sides that they are willing to sit at the table, each under their own conditions, remains uncertain, and additional pressure from Washington and Brussels on political leaders in Belgrade and Pristina is expected.

Serbia's moral compass

Ahead of the start of the EU leaders' summit, Borrell reiterated yesterday that the European proposal for a plan is "on the table" and issued an invitation to the leaders of Belgrade and Pristina "to come to Brussels soon, in a few weeks, to finally push through" that proposal, which is also supported by Washington.

US Ambassador to Belgrade Christopher Hill stated this week that Serbia's moral compass should be directed towards the West because Serbia is part of Europe, assessing that resolving the Kosovo issue is an "important matter" not only for Belgrade and Pristina but also for the Union.

This agreement, as presented to the two sides in the second half of January by American-European diplomats, envisages respect for territorial integrity, inviolability of borders, recognition of state symbols, and a special arrangement for the Serbian community in Kosovo (Community of Serbian Municipalities - CSM).

Vučić told US and EU diplomats that Serbia is "ready to accept the concept of the European plan" and "work on the implementation of the proposed agreement" on the dialogue for normalizing relations with Kosovo.

Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti stated that Kosovo "accepts the EU proposal for normalizing relations" and considers it a good basis for further talks and a solid platform for progress.

Key point

Belgrade insists that the formation of the CSM is a key point for the continuation of the dialogue, while Kurti maintains that the establishment of this association is possible under six conditions, including that it is in accordance with the Kosovo constitution, that it is not based exclusively on ethnic grounds, and that it can be considered after mutual recognition.

On Thursday, after Josep Borrell's invitation, Vučić confirmed Belgrade's position on a possible roadmap for the continuation of the dialogue.

- If you call me, inform me that they have delivered the CSM. When they deliver that, I will come to talk about everything else - Vučić said, stating that he is not interested in going to Brussels as a tourist.

Last week, during a heated parliamentary debate on Kosovo, he reiterated that he will not recognize independence nor agree to Kosovo becoming an EU member.

He emphasized Pristina's acceptance to form the CSM as a key point for further dialogue on a solution. Washington and Brussels insist that forming this association is Pristina's obligation, but the views of the US, EU, Belgrade, and Pristina on the form, essence, and timing of the CSM's establishment remain irreconcilably different.

Compromise solution

Belgrade sees this community as an umbrella institution for protecting the rights of the Serbian minority, Pristina does not want the CSM to become a "Republika Srpska in Kosovo," and the US and EU are trying to find a compromise solution that would satisfy both sides.

Kosovo declared independence in 2008, which Belgrade refuses to recognize and agree to its admission to the UN. Kosovo's independence is recognized by leading Western countries, but not by China, Russia, the Vatican, and five EU member states, Hina reports.

Diplomatic attempts to reach a final legally binding agreement between the two sides have been ongoing for more than a decade, with occasional tensions, often accompanied by sabre-rattling, that have repeatedly been on the brink of a more serious conflict.