Important decisions on Kosovo and Serbia

“Norway welcomes the EU’s decision to grant Serbia candidate status and to start working towards closer cooperation with Kosovo. These are important contributions to the stabilisation of South East Europe,” said Foreign Minister Jonas Gahr Støre.

On 1 March, the EU decided to grant Serbia candidate status. The EU also intends to develop closer cooperation with Kosovo, by launching a feasibility study for a Stabilisation and Association Agreement, by engaging in dialogue on visa-free travel to the Schengen zone, and by working towards a trade agreement.

“We look forward to the day when Serbia and Kosovo find a way to resolve their differences, not least the question of how the needs of the population in the Serbian-dominated areas of northern Kosovo are to be met. This question can only be resolved if there is active engagement on both sides, with the international community playing a supporting role,” Mr Støre said.

“Given our close ties to Serbia and Kosovo, Norway is prepared to support the process of dialogue between Serbia and Kosovo in the time ahead. We will also continue to support both countries’ EU adaptation processes,” said Foreign Minister Støre.

As part of the ongoing EU-mediated talks, on 24 February Kosovo and Serbia reached agreement on Kosovo’s representation in regional meetings and on implementing a number of practical measures that will simplify cooperation between the two countries.