In order to make quick progress in the implementation, we call on Kosovo to launch the procedure to establish the Community/Association of Serb-Majority Municipalities (CSM) in Kosovo as prescribed in the draft Statute, and on Serbia to deliver on de-facto recognition. Formalities, including related to adoption, should not stand in the way of progress on this issue, reads a joint statement by French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.

“We now expect Kosovo and Serbia to swiftly agree on the details in the EU-facilitated Dialogue. In the absence of progress on normalisation of relations both Parties risk losing important opportunities,” they warned.

The European officials, who held separate talks on Thursday in Brussels with Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic and Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti, said they welcome the engagement of the two Parties in the discussions.

“We take good note of the comments made by the two leaders of Kosovo and Serbia to the European Statute for the establishment of the Association of Serb-Majority Municipalities in Kosovo and their expressed readiness to implement. The draft statute we presented and fully endorse encompasses a modern European way to address the sensitive issue of minority protection in line with best European practices and standards, within the parameters defined by Parties,” reads the statement.

They underlined their expectation for Kosovo and Serbia to deliver on their commitments to implement the Agreement on the Path to Normalisation.

“The implementation phase should progress with both Parties delivering on their respective obligations in parallel in a step-by-step manner based on the principle that both Parties need to do something to get something. The focus should now be on advancing on the full implementation of the Agreement without preconditions or delays,” said the European leaders.