Dialogue remains the main condition for Serbia's EU membership

It has been a while since Kosovo and Serbia held meetings in Brussels, within the framework of the process of normalizing relations. The international factor has consistently reacted by considering this process important for the European future of both states. The same request was also made in Belgrade within the framework of the annual conference of the Working Group for Chapter 35 of the National Convention on the EU.

The dialogue process between Belgrade and Pristina remains one of the main conditions that Serbia must meet in the negotiations for membership in the European Union. It was precisely on this topic that the annual conference of the Working Group on Chapter 35 of the National Convention on the EU was held.

Speaking at the opening of the conference, Norway's Ambassador to Serbia, Kristin Melsom, stressed that Norway strongly supports the dialogue mediated by the European Union.

 "Norway welcomed the agreement reached in March 2023 as an important turning point on the path towards normalization of relations. We continue to encourage both sides to respect the commitments made, to refrain from unilateral actions and to fully commit to implementing what has been agreed. Norway remains a stable and reliable partner for both Serbia and Kosovo," she said.

Representatives of the Working Group on Chapter 35, which monitors the dialogue process, assessed that the dialogue is in a deep crisis. In this context, the issue of recognition of Kosovo has also been reopened.

Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić has said that if Serbia had imposed sanctions on Russia and recognized Kosovo, it would be ahead of all EU candidate countries. However, civil society representatives point out that such a request is not officially part of the membership process, although some member states may impose political conditions.

 "Such a requirement does not exist as a formal condition, although some EU member states may impose political demands. What is expected from Serbia is the full implementation of the obligations undertaken, which Serbia has not yet done. Using the argument of recognizing Kosovo in the context of European integration is neither accurate nor correct," Dragisa Mijačić, Coordinator of the Working Group on Chapter 35.

Experts also criticized the European Union for not adapting its negotiating approach to current reality.

They emphasized that it is essential to implement existing agreements, because the normalization of relations should not be seen as a victory for one side, but as a common interest of both countries. /rtk