Jump to content

Kosovo–Serbia relations

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This is an old revision of this page, as edited by Narayanese (talk | contribs) at 06:49, 21 April 2013 (→‎2013 agreement: ref format). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

Kosovan–Serbian relations
Map indicating locations of Kosovo and Serbia

Kosovo
Serbia

See also: International recognition of Kosovo

The Republic of Kosovo was created upon declaration of independence from Serbia in 2008, a move which Serbia rejects. Initially there were no relations between the entities, but the following years have seen increased bilateral dialogue between the governments of Kosovo and Serbia.

Background

See also: 2008 Kosovo declaration of independence and Serbia's reaction to the 2008 Kosovo declaration of independence

Kosovo unilaterally declared its independence from Serbia on 17 February 2008, an action not recognised by Serbia. Among its reactions, Serbia recalled its ambassadors from countries which recognised Kosovo for consultations[1][2] (the ambassadors accredited to European countries returned in July 2008[3]), and indicted the Kosovan leaders on charges of high treason.[4] On 15 August 2008, Serbian Foreign Minister Vuk Jeremić filed a request at the United Nations seeking an advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice. The United Nations General Assembly adopted this proposal on 8 October 2008.[5]

2008–2012

See also: Belgrade–Pristina negotiations

Since the declaration of independence, Serbia refused to deal directly with the Autonomous Province of Kosovo and Metohija, but only through the international intermediaries UNMIK[6] and EULEX.[7] However, there has been some normalisation; beginning in 2011, an EU team persuaded Serbia to discuss some minor border issues with Kosovo; in February 2013, the presidents of Kosovo and Serbia met in Brussels.[8] Liaison officers are also being exchanged.[9]

On 27 March 2012, four Kosovo Serbs, including the mayor of Vitina, were arrested by Kosovo Police while attempting to cross the disputed border at Bela Zemlja back into Kosovo with campaign materials for an upcoming election. They were subsequently charged with "incitement to hatred and intolerance among ethnic groups".[10]

The following day, trade unionist Hasan Abazi was arrested with fellow unionist Adem Urseli by Serbian police manning the Central Serbia/Kosovo crossing near Gnjilane.[10] Abazi was charged with espionage and Urseli with drug smuggling.[11] Serbian Interior Minister Ivica Dačić stated of the arrests that "Serbian police did not wish to take this approach, but the situation obviously could no longer go on without retaliation... If someone wants to compete in arrests, we have the answer".[11] According to his lawyer, Abazi was then held in solitary confinement.[12] On 30 March, the Serbian High Court in Vranje ordered Abazi to be detained for thirty days on espionage charges dating to an incident in 1999 in which Abazi allegedly gave information to NATO.[12] Abazi's arrest was protested by Amnesty International[13] and Human Rights Watch as "arbitrary".[10]

2013 agreement

On 19 October 2012, normalisation talks mediated by the European Union began in Brussels with Serbian Prime Minister Ivica Dačić and Kosovo Prime Minister Hashim Thaçi, where the two PMs sat at the table and initiated talks on normalising relations between Pristina and Belgrade.[14] Reaching such a deal was a necessary condition of Serbia's EU candidacy.[15] The governments slowly reached agreements and deals on various areas, such as freedom of movement, university diplomas, regional representation and on trade and international customs. In Brussels, Serbia and Kosovo agreed that implementation of the border agreement would start on 10 December 2012.[16] A historic meeting took place on 6 February 2013, when Serbian president Tomislav Nikolić and Kosovar President Atifete Jahjaga sat at the same table for the first time since Kosovo declared independence.[17]

Following a December 2012 agreement, the two nations swapped liaison officers who worked at EU premises in the two capitals. Pristina referred to these officers as "ambassadors", but Belgrade rejected such a designation.[18]

Serbia's top officials met with the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton in Brussels, on 11 March 2013, Serbian president Nikolić said that Serbia and Kosovo were very close to signing an agreement which would improve their relations.[19]

On 19 April 2013, the two governments completed an agreement[20] that was hailed as a major step towards normalising relations, and would allow both Serbia and Kosovo to apply for EU membership.[15] Amongst other measures the deal establishes an independent police and appeal court for the Serb minority in Kosovo, but does not amount to a recognition of Kosovo's independence by Belgrade.[15] Special provisions in the agreement were given to Serb communities in North Kosovo.[21] In news reports Ashton was quoted as saying, "What we are seeing is a step away from the past and, for both of them, a step closer to Europe", whilst Thaçi declared "This agreement will help us heal the wounds of the past if we have the wisdom and the knowledge to implement it in practice."[15]

See also

Notes and references

Notes:

a. ^ Template:Kosovo-note

References:

  1. ^ "Serbia recalls ambassador from US". BBC. 19 February 2008. Retrieved 25 July 2008.
  2. ^ "Canada recognizes Kosovo, Serbia pulls ambassador". CBC News. 18 March 2008. Retrieved 25 July 2008.
  3. ^ "Govt. to return ambassadors". B92. 24 July 2008. Retrieved 25 July 2008.
  4. ^ Meares, Richard (18 February 2008). "Serbia charges Kosovo leaders with treason". Reuters. Retrieved 28 January 2010.
  5. ^ "UN seeks World Court Kosovo view". BBC. 8 October 2008. Retrieved 19 August 2009.
  6. ^ UNMIK Rule of law
  7. ^ After a police protocol, EULEX and Serbian officials will intensify preparations for customs and judiciary cooperation
  8. ^ "Serbia and Kosovo: Inching closer". The Economist. Retrieved 11 February 2013.
  9. ^ "Belgrade, Priština to discuss energy next week". B92. 2 February 2013. Retrieved 11 February 2013.
  10. ^ a b c "Serbia/Kosovo: Halt Arbitrary Arrests". Human Rights Watch. 31 March 2012. Retrieved 19 April 2012.
  11. ^ a b Lawrence Marzouk and Gordana Andric (28 March 2012). "Dacic: Kosovo Trade Unionist Arrest Is Retaliation". Eurasia Review. Retrieved 19 April 2012.
  12. ^ a b Fatmir Aliu (30 March 2012). "Hasan Abazi Faces Month in Custody". Eurasia Review. Retrieved 19 April 2012.
  13. ^ "Serbia: Amnesty International condemns "retaliatory" arrest of Kosovo Albanian trade unionist" (PDF). Amnesty International. 29 March 2012. Retrieved 19 April 2012.
  14. ^ "Dacic and Thaci Meet in Brussels, Make History". Balkan Insight. Retrieved 19 April 2013.
  15. ^ a b c d "Serbia and Kosovo reach EU-brokered landmark accord". BBC. 19 April 2013. Retrieved 19 April 2013.
  16. ^ "Serbia PM Pledges Kosovo Solution in 2013". Balkan Insight. Retrieved 19 April 2013.
  17. ^ "Kosovo, Serbia Presidents Hail Outcome of Talks". Balkan Insight. Retrieved 19 April 2013.
  18. ^ Hoxha, Kreshnik. "Kosovo, Serbia Liaison Officers to Start Work". Balkan Insight. Retrieved 19 April 2013.
  19. ^ "Nikolic: Very close to an agreement with Kosovo". Balkan Inside. Retrieved 19 April 2013.
  20. ^ Unofficial text of proposed Kosovo agreement. B92. 19 April 2013. Retrieved 20 April 2013.
  21. ^ "Kosovo and Serbia Reach Historic Deal in Brussels". Balkan Insight. 19 April 2013. Retrieved 19 April 2013.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Kosovo–Serbia_relations&oldid=551419460"