Austrian Chancellor Christian Stocker said on Tuesday that from the European Union’s perspective there is no alternative to dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia if there is political will to reach a settlement.
“I truly believe there is a willingness to find a solution, despite all the difficulties, but I must say openly that I cannot offer it,” Stocker told a news conference during a visit to Serbia, according to Indeksonline. He said any agreement should allow “people in this area of the region to coexist in peace,” no matter how difficult that may appear now.
Stocker said the dispute will have to be resolved as part of Serbia’s path to joining the EU and welcomed any measure that would bring the two sides back to the negotiating table.
The last round of EU-mediated talks took place on June 10, but Kosovo and Serbia have not held a high-level meeting since September 2023. That meeting came days before a group of armed Serbs attacked Kosovo police in Banjska, near Zvecan, killing one officer. Three attackers were killed in the clash. Pristina accuses Belgrade of orchestrating the assault, which Serbia denies.
Vučić praises ties with Austria
Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić called Austria a “very important country” that had “always helped” Serbia on its EU path. He said he and Stocker discussed reforms in the rule of law and the need for dialogue with Pristina “as the only way to overcome existing tensions and crisis.”
Stocker voiced support for EU membership for all Western Balkan states, warning that the region should be shielded from destabilising efforts and that EU core values – human rights, freedom of expression and democratic coexistence – should be promoted beyond the bloc.
He stressed that the EU accession process is “not a one-way street” and that rule of law is a central benchmark. Stocker also said commitment to EU values should be visible in foreign policy, noting Serbia’s alignment rate with the EU’s common foreign and security policy is around 60% as it avoids joining sanctions against Russia and China.
Serbia has refused to impose sanctions on Moscow over the war in Ukraine but has backed several U.N. resolutions condemning Russia’s invasion. Vučić said Belgrade “has given everything” to explain its position.
Stocker also backed including all candidate countries in the EU’s roaming area and making the enlargement process more accessible to citizens, applying “the same rules and criteria” to all applicants.
Source: Indeksonline