UK supports normalization efforts between Serbia, Kosovo: Special envoy

BELGRADE, Serbia (AA) – Britain’s special envoy for the Western Balkans has expressed his country’s support for normalization efforts between Serbia and Kosovo.

Stuart Peach met with Serbian Prime Minister Ana Brnabic in the capital Belgrade.

”London supports both the Berlin process, the EU-sponsored dialogue process and all other initiatives that contribute to the improvement of concrete cooperation in the region,” said a statement from Brnabic’s office.

Speaking about relations with Kosovo, Brnabic said that fulfilling matters previously agreed to during the dialogue process is the only way to overcome unresolved issues and achieve a mutually acceptable solution.

She added that the preservation of peace and stability is Belgrade’s main priority.

The two agreed on the mutual determination to improve bilateral relations.

Meanwhile, the European Union and US special representatives for the Western Balkans, Miroslav Lajcak and Gabriel Escobar, are expected to visit Kosovo and Belgrade this week.

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said in October that Germany and France offered to expedite Serbia’s EU membership process if it recognized Kosovo’s independence.

The Muslim majority Balkan republic of Kosovo declared its independence after a long struggle for liberation from Serbian control in 2008, with most UN member states including the US, the UK, France, Germany and Türkiye recognizing it as a separate autonomous country from its neighbor. However, Belgrade continues to regard it as its territory.

Brussels has facilitated the Serbia-Kosovo dialogue, which is designed to ease tensions and resolve issues, one of the requirements for full-fledged EU membership.