Negotiations between Serbia and Kosovo, mediated by the European Union in Brussels, ended without results. “Unfortunately, we did not reach an agreement,” said EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell late on Thursday, August 18, after a meeting with Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić and the first -Minister of the Republic of Kosovo, Albin Kurti.

At the same time, according to Borrell, this is not the end of the attempts to reach an agreement, new negotiations will take place in the coming days. “I will not give up… We must seek a solution”, highlighted the head of European diplomacy. He held separate meetings with Kurti and Vučić, after which he invited Balkan politicians to the same table as part of the Belgrade-Pristina dialogue, mediated by the European Commission since 2011.

Even before the negotiations, Vučić showed no optimism about reaching an agreement. “While I keep waiting for some solution, I remain skeptical,” he wrote on Twitter. For his part, Kurti criticized “illegal Serb structures” that are erecting barricades in northern Kosovo.

Serbia-Kosovo conflict

The conflict between Serbia and Kosovo escalated again in late July, when Pristina decided to introduce temporary documents that Serbian citizens should receive upon entering the region, as well as re-register cars and replace plates issued in Serbia to Serbs. who live in northern Kosovo. In protest, Kosovo Serbs erected barricades, after which Pristina authorities delayed the introduction of new rules until September 1.

In 2008, the Republic of Kosovo unilaterally declared Serbia’s independence. It was recognized by many European states including Germany as well as the United States. Belgrade considers Kosovo its autonomous province and does not recognize Pristina’s independence. Serbia’s position is shared by Russia, most states in the post-Soviet space, as well as five EU countries, China and India.

Serbia also aspires to join the EU and, in this regard, has committed to normalizing relations with Kosovo. Since 2013, Belgrade and Pristina have tried to resolve relations through EU mediation. Russia is blocking Kosovo’s accession to the UN.