Tensions between the two states/ The head of the EU makes a strong appeal to Kosovo and Serbia. Here is what is expected to happen

The President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, on Tuesday invited Kosovo and Serbia to use the proposal of the European Union to normalize relations.

In a meeting with correspondents of European news agencies, von der Leyen said that he expects these two countries to use the opportunity in the next meetings, so as to contribute to the stability of the region, as well as in their journey towards the EU .

"We have a European Union plan for the normalization of relations between Pristina and Belgrade. I think it is an opportunity for both parties to use the momentum, because normalization is key for the security, stability and prosperity of the region", said the head of the EU.

She said that she expects the parties to be constructive in the next meetings.

"I hope that both sides will be very constructive in the meetings that will take place soon".

Asked what the consequences will be if no agreement is reached between Kosovo and Serbia in these meetings, she said that "negotiations must be carried out first, and then the results must be seen".

The Prime Minister of Kosovo, Albin Kurti, and the Serbian President, Aleksandar Vucic, will meet on March 18 in Ohrid.

In the last meeting on February 27 in Brussels, European officials have said that the parties have agreed, in principle, on the content of the EU's proposal for the normalization of relations.

At the Ohrid meeting, the parties are expected to discuss the implementation plan of the EU proposal.

The document of 11 articles - which was made public by the European Union - does not specifically mention mutual recognition, which the Government of Kosovo has said should be at the center of an eventual agreement to normalize relations.

Megjithatë, në nenin 2 të propozimit përmendet që palët duhet të respektojnë pavarësinë, sovranitetin dhe integritetin territorial të njëra-tjetrës. Propozimi, po ashtu, përfshin zotimin e palëve për t’i respektuar të gjitha marrëveshjet e arritura deri më tani në dialogun për normalizimin e marrëdhënieve, si dhe përkushtimin e tyre për të mos e penguar njëra-tjetrën në proceset integruese.

Kryeministri Kurti ka thënë të martën se është optimist për takimin në Ohër, por që nuk varet gjithçka nga ai.

“Unë kam ofruar që edhe më 27 shkurt, në Bruksel ta nënshkruajmë propozimin e Bashkimit Evropian, mirëpo pala tjetër nuk ka qenë as e gatshme, as e interesuar”.

The President of the European Commission has said that Russia's war in Ukraine has resulted in dramatic changes in Europe, and has made the enlargement process even more important for the European bloc and the Western Balkans.

"The war in Ukraine has increased the strategic importance of EU enlargement. We wish to bring our partners from the Western Balkans closer to the EU as soon as possible", Von der Leyen said, among other things.

Kosovo and Serbia started negotiations mediated by the European Union in 2011.

Right now the two countries have different goals for the final agreement.

Kosovo insists on mutual recognition, Serbia seeks a compromise solution.