Petkovic: Pristina refuses to discuss the CSM, it is not ready for normalization and further talks

The Director of the Office for Kosovo and Metohija, Petar Petkovic, emphasized after a new round of technical dialogue in Brussels that Pristina refuses to discuss the draft statute proposed by the EU. This clearly shows that it does not want to form the Community of Serb Municipalities (CSM), which is a crucial issue for the survival of Serbs and the process of normalizing relations.

"We talked all day. The discussions were tough, and our side was determined in presenting all arguments related to respecting all reached agreements. First, we had a bilateral meeting with the EU envoy Miroslav Lajcak, which lasted two and a half hours. We insisted on the formation of the CSM, discussed missing persons, freedom of movement, and emphasized that Serbian goods must be unblocked, which have been banned from entering Kosovo for more than a year," Petkovic told reporters in Brussels.

He conveyed that the discussions included the bridge on the Ibar River, and the Serbian delegation emphasized what is written in the agreement, which states that Pristina must first fulfill its task of demarcation in the Suvi Do area, which it has not done.

"Lajcak once again confirmed that the issue of the bridge can only be resolved through dialogue, not through unilateral actions," Petkovic stressed.

He pointed out that after this, Lajcak had a bilateral meeting with Pristina's chief negotiator Besnik Bislimi, followed by a trilateral discussion - a direct meeting of the delegations from Belgrade and Pristina.

"We again insisted on the formation of the CSM, as it is the most important and crucial issue for the survival of Serbs and the normalization process. We also discussed the implementation of all previously agreed agreements, energy issues, and official visits. Regarding official visits, Bislimi said he is not interested in that agreement and does not accept it, although we clearly pointed out that the 14 times I, as the chief negotiator, have been banned from entering Kosovo is a direct violation of the agreement," he explained.

Regarding energy, he said, the Serbian team clearly showed how Elektrosever operates and what has been done.

"The most important issue is the CSM. We discussed the way and roadmap to continue towards normalizing relations through concrete steps. It is necessary for Pristina to accept the draft statute prepared by the EU. Belgrade has said it is ready to discuss this statute, although the Management Team has already created a Statute, which is a good basis for discussions on the final statute. Bislimi refused to discuss the EU-prepared statute, which is crucial and a main step towards forming the CSM," he said.

Petkovic pointed out that the agreements from 2013 and 2015 defined the competences of the CSM and that the adoption of the statute, representing the main further step, should follow.

According to him, Pristina's refusal to discuss even the EU-prepared statute clearly shows that it will never form the CSM.

"Albin Kurti's policy is one of expelling Serbs from Kosovo, especially from the north. We emphasized that dialogue is the only place where we can reach compromise solutions and that Belgrade is always ready to talk," he emphasized.

Petkovic highlighted that Kurti's refusal last week to talk with President Aleksandar Vucic clearly shows that Pristina is not interested in forming the CSM, fulfilling agreements, the normalization process, or further talks.

The trilateral meeting with Lajcak, Petkovic, and Bislimi ended just before 9:30 PM, after two and a half hours.