New European Union foreign affairs chief Kaja Kallas met with Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic and Kosovo’s Prime Minister Albin Kurti to discuss efforts to normalize relations amid rising tensions. The meetings followed recent violence in the region, including an attack in Banjska and an explosion in the Ibar-Lepenc Canal.
While not part of the official EU dialogue, the discussions showed the bloc’s ongoing involvement in the region’s stability.
Kallas said on social media, “The only path to EU membership is through normalizing relations based on the Ohrid Agreement. I welcome their willingness to cooperate after the terrorist attack. The perpetrators must face justice.”
Kallas, who started her five-year term on Dec 1, committed to advancing the EU enlargement process and reducing tensions between Kosovo and Serbia.
Kurti calls for full implementation of Ohrid Agreement
Kosovo’s Kurti emphasized the need for full implementation of last year’s Ohrid Agreement during his meeting with Kallas, stressing that Kosovo’s future depends on EU integration and regional peace.
He also briefed Kallas on the investigation into the November 29 attack in Zubin Potok and reiterated Kosovo’s demand for Serbia to hand over Milan Radoicic, a suspect in the September 24 attack in Banjska.
Kurti connected the explosion to Russian interests, noting the discovery of Russian emblems among seized materials. He called on international partners to help ensure justice.
The EU condemned the Zubin Potok attack, calling it a “terrorist act” against Kosovo’s infrastructure.
Vucic dismisses Kosovo’s allegations
Vucic called his meeting with Kallas “difficult but open,” reaffirming Serbia’s commitment to cooperation on the investigation. He denied Kosovo’s accusations that Serbia was behind the Zubin Potok attack and pledged to release any new evidence as it becomes available.
Kallas is expected to continue pushing for stability and progress in the region over the coming months.
