High Level meeting in the framework of the EU-facilitated Dialogue between Serbia and Kosovo

A High Level meeting of the Dialogue for normalisation of relations between Serbia and Kosovo was held on 24 January 2017 under the auspices of the European Union.

Both sides agreed to to take the Dialogue forward in a spirit of respect, cooperation and mutual understanding. They discussed the developments over the past days, agreed to leave the tensions behind and to focus on the work ahead. It was also decided that a series of meetings in the context of the High Level Dialogues were to take place in the following days.

This was the first meeting between the authorities of the two territories following an incident when a Serbian train was not allowed into Kosovan territory due to the nationalist message it carried.

• Primary Source

EP: EPRS: At a Glance, March 2016: Serbia and Kosovo: Normalisation of relations http://www.europeansources.info/record/serbia-and-kosovo-normalisation-of-relations/

EurActiv, 24.01.17: Kosovo leader hopeful ahead of talks with Serbia http://www.euractiv.com/section/enlargement/news/kosovo-leader-hopeful-ahead-of-talks-with-serbia/

Balkan Insight, 24.01.17: Kosovo, Serbia Presidents Meet to Ease Tensions http://www.balkaninsight.com/en/article/the-presidents-of-serbia-and-kosovo-to-meet-in-brussels-01-23-2017

ESO: Background Information: Hostages to dialogue. The process of normalising Serbian-Kosovar relations. http://www.europeansources.info/record/hostages-to-dialogue-the-process-of-normalising-serbian-kosovar-relations/

EU: EEAS: EU facilitated dialogue: relations between Belgrade and Pristina https://eeas.europa.eu/topics/eu-facilitated-dialogue-belgrade-pristina-relations_en

EUObserver, 24.01.17: Serbia-Kosovo talks back on track https://euobserver.com/foreign/136639

EU: EEAS: Press Release, 19.01.17: Next meeting in the framework of the EU-facilitated Dialogue on 24 January https://eeas.europa.eu/headquarters/headquarters-homepage/18936/

Euronews, 23.01.17: Serbia, Kosovo set for EU-backed talks http://www.euronews.com/2017/01/23/serbia-kosovo-set-for-eu-backed-talks

B92, 24.01.17: Kosovo dialogue continues, 'Thaci to seek recognition' http://www.b92.net/eng/news/politics.php?yyyy=2017&mm=01&dd=24&nav_id=100314

B92, 23.01.17: PM 'lost trust in Pristina,' not optimistic ahead of talks http://www.b92.net/eng/news/politics.php?yyyy=2017&mm=01&dd=23&nav_id=100301

EurActiv, 27.01.17: Tensions flare at Serbia-Kosovo meeting in Brussels http://www.euractiv.com/section/enlargement/news/tensions-flare-at-serbia-kosovo-meeting/

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