Miroslav Lajčák, the European Union’s Special Representative for the Belgrade-Pristina dialogue, confirmed today that the letter sent by Serbian Prime Minister Ana Brnabić to the European Union in December last year expressing Serbia’s reservations regarding parts of the Ohrid agreement, particularly outlining its „red lines“ concerning Kosovo, has been withdrawn.
„The letter has been withdrawn,“ Lajčák told reporters outside the Kosovo government building in Pristina, responding to a direct question.
He added:
„There are statements here and there which are not helpful, but the agreement as such is valid in its entirety. Moreover, it has become a part of the EU path for both Kosovo and Serbia, so it is valid twice.“
Background on the Letter
The letter in question was delivered by Prime Minister Brnabić on behalf of the Serbian government to the EU headquarters on December 15, 2022, coinciding with the EU-Western Balkans Summit in Brussels. At that summit, EU and Western Balkans leaders adopted a joint declaration urging both Belgrade and Pristina to engage constructively, in good faith, and with a spirit of compromise to achieve swift progress in normalizing relations.
Brnabić’s letter, however, outlined Serbia’s concerns, stating clearly: „Any normalization agreement must not, in any way, imply either de facto or de jure recognition of the so-called Republic of Kosovo. Nor can it imply our consent to Kosovo’s membership in the UN or any other organizations within the UN system.“
This letter was interpreted by Pristina as a step back by Serbia from the normalization process, with Kosovo accusing Belgrade on several occasions of violating the agreement and calling on the EU to intervene.
New Implementation Plan Proposed
Six months later, the EU presented a new implementation plan to the leaders of both Kosovo and Serbia—Albin Kurti and Aleksandar Vučić—just one year after the Ohrid annex was agreed upon. This annex included a pre-prepared implementation plan with a detailed sequencing process.
The interpretation of the original sequencing plan differed between Pristina and Belgrade. Serbia, along with the EU, viewed the Ohrid annex as a mandate to take immediate steps toward self-governance mechanisms for Serbs in Kosovo, which was broadly seen as a step toward establishing the Association of Serb Municipalities (ASM). However, Pristina consistently opposed this interpretation, insisting that the sequencing required simultaneous actions—specifically, that Belgrade should take concrete steps toward recognizing Kosovo’s independence.
A key demand from Kosovo was for Belgrade to sign a final, legally binding agreement on what Pristina referred to as „mutual recognition.“
In June, Kurti rejected the new implementation plan in Brussels, presenting new conditions for its acceptance. One of these conditions was the withdrawal of Brnabić’s letter.
Serbia’s Willingness to Compromise?
On the same day, the EU’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs confirmed that Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić had indicated a willingness to explore options regarding the letter and to formalize the agreement.
However, Kosovo’s Foreign Minister Donika Gervalla remains skeptical. She expressed doubt over whether Serbia has truly and fully withdrawn the letter. „I believe Lajčak is referring to a partial withdrawal of the letter, which does not signify an abandonment of Serbia’s stance on non-recognition of Kosovo’s sovereignty and territorial integrity—a position that remains unacceptable,“ Gervalla said.
Preuzimanje i objavljivanje tekstova sa portala KoSSev nije dozvoljeno bez navođenja izvora. Hvala na poštovanju etike novinarske profesije.
