Miroslav Laj?ák, the European Union’s special representative for the Kosovo-Serbia dialogue, urged both Pristina and Belgrade on Tuesday to prioritize the normalization of relations as a key step toward EU integration.
Laj?ák emphasized that the two processes are interlinked. In talks with Kosovo’s chief negotiator Besnik Bislimi and Serbia’s Petar Petkovi?, Laj?ák discussed implementing the 2023 Ohrid Agreement, including de-escalation, accountability for 2023 attacks, the reintegration of Kosovo Serbs, and the creation of an Association of Serb-majority municipalities.
He also underlined the importance of mutual recognition of Kosovo’s documents and symbols.
Laj?ák’s comments followed a successful conclusion of negotiations on the 2023 Declaration on Missing Persons from the Kosovo War. According to the Red Cross, 1,612 people remain missing. Laj?ák called the agreement “a significant step” toward providing closure for affected families.
The EU envoy also announced that Brussels would soon host the first meeting of a Joint Commission to implement the declaration, with work expected to begin in January 2025.
Kosovo and Serbia reached a landmark agreement earlier this year as part of the EU-mediated dialogue aimed at normalizing relations. However, implementation of the commitments made in the declaration, such as full access to reliable information and cooperation on locating the missing, has yet to begin.
