Serbia ‘rewarded’ for Kosovo resolution

Belgian presidency to push for Serbia to be granted EU candidate status after Serbia softens its language on Kosovo.

EU foreign ministers today agreed that Serbia’s application for EU membership should be pushed forward as a reward for Serbia’s greater co-operation with the EU on the question of Kosovo’s status.

Speaking on behalf of EU foreign ministers after a ministerial meeting in Brussels today (13 September), Steven Vanackere, the foreign minister of Belgium, holder of the EU’s rotating presidency, said that the ministers believed it was important to “recognise the efforts” made by Boris Tadić, Serbia’s president, in getting agreement on a United Nations resolution on Kosovo.

Last Thursday (9 September), following pressure from EU member states, Serbia dropped its demands for language challenging the status of Kosovo.

Instead, in its final wording, the resolution acknowledged an advisory opinion issued by the UN’s International Court of Justice that Kosovo did not break international law when it declared independence in 2008. The resolution also recognised the EU’s role as the principal mediator in discussions between Kosovo and Serbia.

Vanackere said that, at a meeting of the EU’s General Affairs Council on 25 October, he would ask ministers for EU affairs to forward Serbia’s application for EU membership to the European Commission.

The Commission will then assess the country’s readiness to start talks on accession to the EU. At its recommendation, the EU’s member states then decide whether to start negotiations.

Serbia applied for candidate status in December 2009.