Bilcik: It is high time for the formation of the CSM; we should move toward concluding the dialogue this year

Vladimir Bilcik, a Member of the European Parliament and rapporteur for the European Parliament for Serbia, says for Voice of America that he hopes Belgrade and Pristina will find the will for normalization and that this year they really should move toward concluding the dialogue.

Bilcik states that the EU is sending clear messages to Aleksandar Vucic and Albin Kurti that the implementation of the agreements on the normalization of relations is expected in 2024.

"We are sending them clear messages and hope they will find the will for it. From my experiences with President Vucic, I think there is an understanding and readiness for progress. We have seen this, especially concerning ID cards, license plates, and energy, dealing with practicalities on the ground. And that is important. I believe it is up to Pristina to resolve a significant issue for Serbia and the protection of all Serbs living in Kosovo – and that is the establishment of the Community of Serb-majority Municipalities. It is high time to fulfill that. I think it will truly enable progress, and I hope Pristina has the power and responsibility to act in good faith in the coming days and weeks. It is essential to calm tensions in the region. It is an absolute imperative that attacks, like the one in Banjska, do not happen again. And that there are no attacks on NATO and KFOR soldiers. The events from the past need thorough investigation so that none of the parties has a reason to escalate tensions. It's encouraging that Belgrade has shown a willingness to encourage Serbs to participate in elections. I hope the elections in northern Kosovo will take place, and that there will be a political agreement on how to achieve all that. The agenda is clear and complex. This year, we really need to move toward concluding the dialogue," Bilcik said.

When asked about Serbia's interpretation that expanding the negotiating framework for Serbia through the Ohrid Agreement and its Annex would mean that the European Union is closing its doors to Serbia, as recently stated by the President of Serbia, Bilcik says that true commitment to all agreements is needed, including those reached over a decade ago.

"Commitment from both sides is needed. There is consensus on the need for progress and implementation. I think everyone acknowledges that. This is not a matter of signatures, but mutual understanding confirmed. We also have clear conclusions from December last year related to Chapter 35. There is a deadline for that, and we expect EU institutions to clarify what needs to be done. The atmosphere surrounding the dialogue is full of emotions and strong statements from both sides. However, it is necessary to focus on practical negotiations. A good will is required for that. We have a clear roadmap on what both sides need to do," he adds.

He further notes that negotiations are ongoing, and there have been several meetings since March, even at the highest level, and that the fact that there have been no documents presented to the public since March does not mean that there are no discussions, but the ultimate result is needed, which is the normalization of relations.

"They are ongoing, and the frequency of contacts is high. That is what is important. I will consider it satisfactory when a mild normalization of relations between Belgrade and Pristina is established. I think everyone else will be satisfied. We need to work on achieving results. Currently, we are in a functioning process, but that process will be considered successful only when it bears fruit. A satisfactory result is the normalization of relations, and that will require both sides to make important decisions and take steps to move forward," Bilcik concludes.