Kosovodialoog: uitkomsten gesprek 9 (en)

Met dank overgenomen van Raad van de Europese Unie (Raad) i, gepubliceerd op vrijdag 24 februari 2012.

PRESS STATEMENT EU facilitated dialogue: Agreement on Regional Cooperation and IBM technical protocol

The ninth meeting of the dialogue foreseen in UN General Assembly Resolution 64/298 was held with the facilitation of the EU on 22-24 February 2012, in Brussels. The meeting was chaired by the EU facilitator, Mr. Robert Cooper. Dr. Tahiri led the Kosovo delegation and Mr. Stefanovic led the Serbian delegation

The meeting built on the discussions from the eight previous meetings held since the start of the dialogue in March 2011, as well as on work conducted by various technical working groups

The parties reached agreement on regional representation and cooperation. Both parties confirmed their commitment to the fundamental EU value of effective, inclusive and representative regional cooperation. The agreement will allow for Kosovo to participate and sign new agreements on its own account and to speak for itself at all regional meetings. (Until now agreements have been signed by UNMIK on behalf of Kosovo). Kosovo* will be the only denomination to be used and the footnote to be applied to the asterisk will read: "This designation is without prejudice to positions on status, and is in line with UNSC1244 and the ICJ Opinion on the Kosovo Declaration of Independence".

The parties also concluded a technical protocol on the implementation of the IBM deal reached on 2 December 2011. This turns the agreed conclusions of December last year into an operational agreement. It will enable those concerned to start work on practical questions such as the budget, design and location of the facilities

The meeting also provided an opportunity to review progress on the implementation of other earlier agreements. The parties acknowledged that progress has been made and committed themselves to proceed rapidly in this process. In this context, the parties in particular look forward to a meeting of the Civil Registry working group next week with the aim to accelerate the pace of implementation in this area