Vucic: The meeting was not successful, Kurti did not accept the EU proposal

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic stated after the meetings in Brussels that the discussions had ended unsuccessfully in terms of finding a clear path toward normalizing the relations and that Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti had not wanted to accept the EU proposal.

"We, as Serbia, accepted the EU's compromise proposal, but Kurti did not want to, and the meeting ended," Vucic told reporters in Brussels after the meeting.

As he noted, there were not many pleasant situations but more unpleasant ones, which is logical because, as he said, everyone was fighting for their own interests.

"It is clear that Kurti is avoiding the formation of the Community of Serb Municipalities. Serbia is not avoiding its obligations; the EU has outlined the roadmap, which we accepted, but Kurti did not," Vucic said, adding that confirmation from the EU on this matter would come soon.

He also added that since Kurti had come to power, there had been a rise in ethnic incidents, with 50% more ethnic incidents recorded in the last two months than during the worst times of any other government in Pristina.

"We pointed this out, and it is evident that challenging times lie ahead," Vucic said.

Vucic told reporters that during today's discussion, he presented data that 22 escalatory actions by Pristina had been recorded since the last meeting in Brussels.

"We had them again today, in Zvecan. They were intimidating and provoking Serbs there, but when they realized I had mentioned it during the meeting, they withdrew. However, this happens daily," Vucic said.

Vucic emphasized that Serbia had made an effort, acted constructively, and had been a serious and responsible partner for the international community.

He added that the EU's compromise proposal, which had been on the agenda of the meeting, primarily entailed the formation of the Community of Serb Municipalities.

"Let's see if there is credibility in the process or not. If we establish that we are moving toward the CSM, we will start working on our obligations in parallel," Vucic explained.

Unfortunately, as he reiterated, the other side had not accepted this.

He says that they also discussed the situation in northern Kosovo and that he pointed out how the process of establishing pragmatic, rational relations is hindered by harassment, mistreatment, and keeping Serbs in detention.

"We raised the issue of expropriation, illegal expropriation, and the expulsion of Serbs from their institutions, the places where they work... I don't believe any progress has been made, except that Kurti will have to respond to the EU's white paper. We talked about both issues, and this is the result," Vucic said.

When asked if this proposal implied deadlines, Vucic said that it implied working in parallel and added that the EU knew and wanted the formation of the CSM to come first.

"The main point is that Pristina doesn't want it. When you ask Kurti if he wants to accept the formation of the CSM, he never gives a positive answer. He says, 'I want it if 21 out of 22 points don't apply; I want it if there are no executive powers.' But we have the signed agreements from 2013 and 2015. It is not about what someone likes or doesn't like. The EU said, 'Let's make a compromise', and I said, 'Let's talk', even though it's very difficult for us, but Kurti refused," Vucic reiterated.

As the president says, he is not happy with this development because it only leads to problems.

He also stated that the EU would soon announce an even clearer position than his because, as he said, he always strived to be fair.

"That's because I believe that peace is in the best interest of both Serbs and Albanians, and I believe it is something no one should play with. I hope that in the future, we will find solutions; our greatest interest is peace," the President of Serbia emphasized.