Szunyog: Kosovo and Serbia in the EU only with the normalization of relations, agreements should be implemented as soon as possible

The head of the European Union Office in Kosovo, Tomas Szunyog, stated that Kosovo and Serbia cannot join the European Union without the complete normalization of relations and emphasized that both sides, if seriously interested in a European future, should start implementing the agreements reached in the dialogue as soon as possible.

Szunyog, who is concluding his four-year mandate as the EU Ambassador to Kosovo, is optimistic about the future of the dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina, despite the current stalemate in the process.

"I am optimistic about the future of the dialogue process. I am convinced that if there is commitment, we can move towards reconciliation. As you have seen during my mandate, I have been fully committed to this issue because it is very important for Kosovo and Serbia to normalize relations," Szunyog told Teve1.

The European diplomat made it clear that without the normalization of relations, neither Kosovo nor Serbia can become part of the European Union, and he urged that the sides must start implementing the agreements.

"Once again, I make it clear that only through the complete normalization of relations can Kosovo and Serbia join the larger European family. Therefore, if you are seriously committed to joining the European Union, you should engage more in the dialogue and implement all agreements. But it must be said that so far, the sides have not made enough progress in implementing the agreements," he assessed.

Szunyog will be succeeded as the EU Special Representative in Kosovo by Estonian diplomat Aivo Orav.

According to the EU, he will take office on September 1, 2024, and will have an initial mandate of two years.