European Commissioner for Neighbourhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations Johannes Hahn said that finding solution to the Kosovo issue was not the only prerequisite for Serbia’s EU membership, noting that reform in the area of rule of law, fundamental rights and good governance is the essence of the enlargement process.
“It seems that many, including politicians, believe that a solution to the Kosovo issue is the only precondition set before Serbia on its EU path. This is not the case,” said Hahn in an interview with “Vecernje novosti” daily.
He said that no country can join the EU without settling all pending bilateral disputes first. In case of Serbia, he said, this means that a legally binding agreement with Pristina has to be concluded and implemented.
Hahn said that the Belgrade-Pristina dialogue implied “a feasible, sustainable and realistic solution, in line with the international law and EU acquis.”
“Any agreement must be specific and tailor made, it should not be a precedent and it must contribute to regional stability and the region’s EU path. Meanwhile, the EU should not speculate about the possible elements of the final version of a legally binding agreement,” Hahn said.
*This designation is without prejudice to positions on status and is in line with UNSCR 1244/1999 and the ICJ Opinion on the Kosovo declaration of independence.
