Sorensen: The EU places hope in the Joint Commission to help clarify the fate of missing persons

EU Special Representative for the Belgrade–Pristina Dialogue Peter Sorensen announced that on January 22, the Chief Negotiators of Kosovo and Serbia, together with him, convened for the first time in a trilateral format of the Joint Commission on Missing Persons.

As he noted, the establishment of this Commission was agreed in the Declaration on Missing Persons, which was signed on May 2, 2023, during a high-level meeting facilitated by the High Representative/Vice-President (HR/VP), by the President of Serbia, and the Prime Minister of Kosovo.

“The objective of the Joint Commission is to oversee the implementation of the Declaration on Missing Persons, which aims to contribute to shedding light on the fate of the remaining missing persons, which includes persons forcibly disappeared, provide closure to their families and foster lasting reconciliation and peace. In accordance with the agreed Terms of Reference, The Joint Commission shall support the ICRC-chaired Working Group on Missing Persons efforts by facilitating the Parties’ implementation activities, resolution of any disagreements and by reviewing progress,” the statement reads.

The EU mediator, Kosovo, Serbia, or the ICRC may refer to the Joint Commission any issue related to the implementation, application, and interpretation of the Declaration on Missing Persons, as well as any disputed issue that arises within the Working Group chaired by the ICRC.

“This also includes the issue of reviewing and updating the Terms of Reference and General Framework of the ICRC-chaired Working Group on Missing Persons, should the latter fail to reach consensus on this matter. The Joint Commission shall deliberate on issues within its mandate under the agreed Terms of Reference. Any decision on disputed issues referred to the Joint Commission by the ICRC chaired Working Group will be referred back to the ICRC-led Working Group for adoption and implementation,” Sorensen emphasized.

He stressed that the European Union places great expectations on the Joint Commission to make a significant contribution to clarifying the fate of missing persons and to help close a painful chapter for families who have been waiting for answers for far too long.

“On 17 December 2024, the Chief Negotiators of Kosovo and Serbia agreed in Brussels on the Terms of Reference for the Joint Commission on Missing Persons to be established under the Declaration on Missing Persons agreed by President Aleksandar Vucic of Serbia and Prime Minister Albin Kurti of Kosovo on 2 May 2023,” the statement concludes.