An agreement in sight for the normalisation of relations between Kosovo and Serbia?

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic and Kosovar Prime Minister Albin Kurti here during a press conference, at NATO Headquarters in Brussels, August 17, 2022 (Illustration image). © RFI/REUTERS/Johanna Geron editing

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A crucial meeting on the normalization of relations between Serbia and Kosovo is scheduled to take place this Saturday, March 18 in Ohrid, North Macedonia. It will bring together Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic, Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti, as well as European and American mediators.

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With our correspondent in Podgorica, Jean-Arnault Dérens

In theory, the meeting should focus on the modalities of implementation of the European plan for "normalization of relations" between Kosovo and Serbia, theoretically accepted by both parties on 27th February last. Yet Aleksandar Vucic addressed the nation again on Thursday evening, March 16, to say that he had no intention of signing anything.

► READ ALSO: Serbia says it wants to "normalize" its relations with Kosovo

The plan provides that Serbia would no longer oppose Kosovo's accession to international institutions, but would not proceed with bilateral recognition.

The far right, which demonstrates daily in Belgrade, nevertheless sees it as a "betrayal" of Serbian Kosovo.

Thousands of people demonstrated Friday evening (March 17th) in Belgrade, at the call of nationalist parties and movements, against a European plan to normalize relations between Serbia and Kosovo, on the eve of new discussions of their leaders under the leadership of Brussels. AFP - ANDREJ ISAKOVIC

In Pristina, it is the counterpart that goes badly, namely the creation of an "association of Kosovo Serb municipalities", which many want to see as a step towards a territorial partition of the small country.

In recent days, diplomatic pressure has further strengthened, with US and European envoys multiplying shuttles between Belgrade and Pristina, calling on both sides to compromise, in the name of "stability of the Balkans".

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  • Serbia
  • Kosovo
  • Aleksandar Vucic