Ursula von der Leyen’s pledge for Serbia: make peace with Kosovo and prosperity will follow

ADVERTISEMENT

Midway by means of a four-day go to to the Western Balkans, the European Union’s prime official was in Belgrade to fulfill Serbia’s president Aleksandar Vucic.

European Fee President Ursula von der Leyen’s message was that there’s cash on the desk, however provided that Serbia and Kosovo can settle their variations.

EU leaders offered a six-billion euro funding bundle for the Western Balkans at a summit in Albania in early October.

However there are circumstances.

Mrs Von der Leyen’s go to to Belgrade got here a day after she had been in Pristina, the capital of Kosovo, a former province of Serbia that declared independence in 2008. Serbia has refused to recognise Kosovo’s independence. Serbs in Kosovo have additionally refused to recognise Kosovan mayors and different municipal leaders after boycotting elections in a lot of municipalities.

The simmering tensions between Belgrade and Pristina that noticed violent clashes in September may jeopardise any EU funding.

The Ohrid Settlement drawn up in March offered a street map for peace and cooperation between Kosovo and Serbia.

At a information convention after their assembly, Ursula von der Leyen stated: ”Enlargement is on the prime of the agenda of the European Union. It’s a time of worldwide turbulence, so we should strengthen the unity and the safety of our continent. And enlargement is the best way to do it. We wish Serbia to hitch our union. The supply relies on belief, on reciprocity and on partnership. It’s a promise of peace and prosperity, and it’s a distinctive alternative proper now that nobody else can match.”

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic, stated: ”Serbia is dedicated to preserving peace and stability. Serbia is aware of its obligations. Serbia, in accordance with the settlement, will fulfil its obligations.”