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The '''Kosovo and Serbia economic normalization agreements''' are two separate documents; one was signed by the Prime Minister of [[Kosovo]] [[Avdullah Hoti]] and the other by the President of [[Serbia]] [[Aleksandar Vučić]] on September 4, 2020 at the [[White House]], in the presence of US President [[Donald Trump]].<ref name="CNN"/>
The '''Kosovo and Serbia economic normalization agreements''' are a pair of documents in which which Kosovo and Serbia agreed to facilitate economic normalization between their two countries.<ref name="Independent"/> The documents were signed by the Prime Minister of [[Kosovo]] [[Avdullah Hoti]] and the President of [[Serbia]] [[Aleksandar Vučić]] on September 4, 2020 at the [[White House]], in the presence of US President [[Donald Trump]].<ref name="CNN"/>


==Background==
==Background==

Revision as of 12:29, 18 September 2020

Kosovo and Serbia economic normalization agreements
The signing ceremony in the Oval Office
SignedSeptember 4, 2020 (2020-09-04)
LocationWhite House, Washington, D.C., United States of America
Mediators
Signatories
Parties
LanguageEnglish

The Kosovo and Serbia economic normalization agreements are a pair of documents in which which Kosovo and Serbia agreed to facilitate economic normalization between their two countries.[1] The documents were signed by the Prime Minister of Kosovo Avdullah Hoti and the President of Serbia Aleksandar Vučić on September 4, 2020 at the White House, in the presence of US President Donald Trump.[2]

Background

See also: Kosovo–Serbia relations
Milun Trivunac, State Secretary of the Ministry of Economy of Serbia (sitting left),
Richard Grenell, Special US Presidential Envoy for Serbia and Kosovo Peace Negotiations (standing right),
Eset Berisha, Director of the Civil Aviation Authority of Kosovo (sitting right)

On October 4, 2019, Donald Trump appointed Richard Grenell as Special Presidential Envoy for Serbia and Kosovo Peace Negotiations.[3] After months of diplomatic talks, on January 20, 2020, Grenell facilitated negotiations between Serbia and Kosovo[a] where the two nations agreed to restore flights between their capitals for the first time in more than two decades.[4][5] A June 27, 2020 peace summit between the two sides was arranged to take place in Washington D.C., but was canceled due to the potential indictment of Hashim Thaçi on war crimes.[6][1]

A new summit, located at the White House, was organized by Grenell and scheduled for September 3 and 4, 2020.[7] Grenell, along with Robert C. O'Brien, cohosted the talks.[7] On September 4, the agreements were signed by Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić and Kosovo Prime Minister Avdullah Hoti.[7][8] The signing ceremony took place in the Oval Office at the White House in the presence of US President Donald Trump on September 4, 2020.[8] Two separate documents were signed, one by Vučić and the other by Hoti. The only difference between the two was the final clause regarding relations with Israel. Both documents were prefaced with a congratulatory note from Donald Trump.[9]

While participating in negotiations with the United States over economic issues, Kosovo and Serbia have continued to participate in a parallel dialogue led by the European Union that has focused on the political disagreements between the two sides.[10]

Agreements

Under the terms of the agreements signed, for a period of one year, Serbia will suspend its efforts, both official and unofficial, encouraging other states to either not recognize Kosovo or to revoke existing recognition. In return, Kosovo will not apply for new membership in international organizations for the same time period. There are also commitments to find and identify remains of missing persons from the 1998–99 Kosovo conflict and to rehabilitate refugees from that conflict and from after the end of the war.[11][12]

Kosovo and Serbia agreed to conduct a joint feasibility study examining different options for connecting the Belgrade-Pristina rail network with a deep seaport on the coast of the Adriatic Sea.[11] Both sides agreed to work with the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation and Export–Import Bank of the United States on memorandums of understanding to operationalise the Peace Highway, the rail link between Pristina and Merdare, the rail link between Niš and Pristina, financing to small- and medium-sized enterprises and other projects.[13] They will also operationalize the Merdare administrative crossing point on the border between the two nations.[14] The United States promised both sides loans guaranteed by the U.S. government to fund the strategic infrastructure developments and the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation will be full-time presense in Belgrade.[8]

Both sides will increase airline passenger screening, information sharing between each other within the framework of broader U.S. cooperation in the Balkans and commit to tehnology upgrades to combat illicit activities.[15]

They will also conduct feasibility study with the U.S. Department of Energy concerning the sharing of the Gazivoda Lake/Ujmani Lake, as a reliable water and energy supply.[16]

As part of the agreements, Serbia and Kosovo both agreed to join the Mini Schengen Zone.[11]

Each sides will recognize the diplomas and professional certificates from the other.[14]

Serbia agreed to move its Israeli embassy to Jerusalem from Tel Aviv in July 2021, and Israel and Kosovo agreed to a mutual recognition of each other and establishment of diplomatic relations.[17] Kosovo also announced that they would locate their embassy in Jerusalem. In doing so, Serbia will become the first European, and Kosovo the first Muslim majority nation, to have embassies in Jerusalem.[18]

Each sides will remove 5G equipment from their mobile networks provided by what was termed "untrusted vendors" from their mobile networks, and to prohibit such vendors from bidding in the future.[8] Officials from Serbia and Kosovo said this was a reference to Chinese companies such as Huawei Technologies.[19]

Both sides pledged to protect and promote freedom of religion, including renewed interfaith communication, protection of religious sites and implementation of court decisions regarding the Serbian Orthodox Church, continued restitution of Holocaust-era heirless and unclaimed Jewish property.[20]

The agreements also contain provisions where both Serbia and Kosovo designate Hezbollah as a terrorist organization and support the decriminalization of homosexuality around the world.[11]

Aftermath

On September 15, 2020, letters of interest were signed by the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation and the Export–Import Bank of the United States with the governments of Kosovo and Serbia for financing the construction of a "Peace Highway" between Nis and Pristina.[21]

Reactions

Favourable

  • Israel Prime Minister of Israel Benjamin Netanyahu issued a statement welcoming the agreements and wrote that the agreement and stated, "First country with a Muslim majority to open an embassy in Jerusalem. As I have said in recent days, the circle of peace and recognition of Israel is widening and other nations are expected to join it."[22]
  • Kosovo Kosovo Prime Minister Avdullah Hoti stated that the singing of the agreements was a "great moment for Kosovo and the region".[2]
  • Russia Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov confirmed its open support to Serbia with regard of Kosovo.[23] However, Russia also welcomed the economic normalization between two nations.[24]
  • Serbia Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić stated that the agreements were "a huge step forward".[2]
  • United States US President Donald Trump praised the agreements stating that it was a "Truly historic day" and adding that "There was a lot of fighting and now there’s a lot of love. Economics can bring people together."[25]

Unfavourable

  • Arab League The Arab League criticised the decision of Serbia and Kosovo to open embassies in Jerusalem rather than Tel Aviv.[26]
  • State of Palestine The Palestinian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates denounced what was issued by the President of the United States Donald Trump regarding the approval of the governments of Serbia and Kosovo to open embassies in the city of Jerusalem, as it described this step as "A blatant and unjustified aggression against the Palestinian people, their cause, and their just and legitimate national rights."[27] The Palestinian ambassador to Serbia Mohammed Nabhan responded saying "This statement, as long as it materializes, is contrary to international law and to UN resolutions concerning the Palestinian question and Jerusalem as an occupied city."[28]
  • Turkey Turkey expressed concern about the decision of Serbia to relocate its embassy in Israel to Jerusalem describing it as a "clear violation of international law".[29] Turkey also urged Kosovo to not have its embassy in Israel located in Jerusalem.[30]

Mixed

  • European Union On September 7, 2020, in Brussels, President Aleksandar Vučić and Prime Minister Avdullah Hoti confirmed that they attach the highest priority to EU integration and to continuing the work on the EU-facilitated Belgrade-Pristina Dialogue which is a key element of their respective EU paths. The recently agreed documents in Washington, building on previous Dialogue-related commitments could provide a useful contribution to reaching a comprehensive, legally binding agreement on normalization of relations.[31][32] On the same date, the European Union warned Serbia and Kosovo that they could undermine their EU membership hopes by moving their Israeli embassies to Jerusalem. Serbian Foreign Minister Ivica Dacic said the final decision will still have to be discussed by the government and will depend on “a number of factors” including future development of ties with Israel.[33] EU foreign affairs spokesman Peter Stano said "In this context, any diplomatic steps that could call into question the EU's common position on Jerusalem are a matter of serious concern and regret." [34]

See also

Notes

  1. ^ a b Template:Kosovo-note

References

  1. ^ a b Wood, Vincent (September 4, 2020). "Serbia and Kosovo agree to normalise economic ties in US-brokered deal". The Independent. Retrieved September 5, 2020.
  2. ^ a b c "Serbia, Kosovo agreement", CNN, September 4, 2020.
  3. ^ Bayer, Lili. "Trump names Ric Grenell his special envoy for Serbia and Kosovo – POLITICO". Politico.eu. Retrieved March 1, 2020.
  4. ^ "Serbia-Kosovo Flights to Resume Under U.S.-Brokered Deal". The New York Times. January 20, 2020.
  5. ^ "Kosovo-Serbia flights to restart after two decades". Euronews. January 25, 2020.
  6. ^ "Kosovo Specialist Prosecutor Charges Thaci with War Crimes". Balkan Insight. June 24, 2020. Retrieved June 24, 2020.
  7. ^ a b c Kelly, Laura, Maggie; Chalfant, Morgan (September 4, 2020). "US brokers economic breakthrough for Serbia, Kosovo". The Hill. Retrieved September 5, 2020.
  8. ^ a b c d Ballhaus, Rebecco; Pancevski, Bojan (September 4, 2020). "Serbia, Kosovo Agree to Normalize Economic Relations". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved September 4, 2020.
  9. ^ "Kosovo and Serbia Signed Separate Pledges, Not an Agreement". September 4, 2020.
  10. ^ "WATCH: Trump officials hold press conference on Serbia-Kosovo economic deal". PBS. September 4, 2020. Retrieved September 5, 2020.
  11. ^ a b c d Robinson, Jack (September 4, 2020). "Kosovo and Serbia sign 'economic normalisation' agreements". Balkan Insight. Retrieved September 4, 2020.
  12. ^ "Recognizing Kosovo through economic cooperation". Serbian Monitor. September 6, 2020.
  13. ^ "Documents signed at the White House cover wider scope than expected". September 4, 2020.
  14. ^ a b "Documents signed at the White House cover wider scope than expected". European Western Balkans. September 4, 2020. Retrieved September 5, 2020.
  15. ^ "Grenell: We did not do typical political thing". N1 Srbija.
  16. ^ "Kosovo and Serbia Sign 'Historic' Deal Under Trump's Auspices". September 4, 2020.
  17. ^ Riechmann, Deb (September 4, 2020). "Serbia, Kosovo normalize economic ties, gesture to Israel". Associated Press. Retrieved September 4, 2020.
  18. ^ Lazaroff, Tovah (September 5, 2020). "Kosovo, Serbia to open embassies in Jerusalem". Jerusalem Post. Retrieved September 5, 2020.
  19. ^ Pancevski, Rebecca Ballhaus and Bojan (September 4, 2020). "Serbia, Kosovo Agree to Normalize Economic Relations" – via www.wsj.com.
  20. ^ "Serbian President Emphasizes Bilateral, not Trilateral Agreement Was Signed at White House". ALBANIA DAILY NEWS.
  21. ^ https://www.dfc.gov/media/press-releases/dfc-and-exim-sign-lois-serbia-and-kosovo-invest-peace-highway
  22. ^ Landau, Noa (September 4, 2020). "Israel to Recognize Kosovo, Which Will Open Embassy in Jerusalem Along With Serbia". Haaretz. Retrieved September 4, 2020.
  23. ^ "Russia comfirms it fully back Serbia's sovereignty over Kosovo". GREEK CITY TIMES.
  24. ^ Teslova, Elena (September 9, 2020). "Russia welcomes Serbia, Kosovo economic normalization". ANADOLU AGENCY.
  25. ^ "Serbia, Kosovo sign economic pact at White House", Hurrıyet daily news.
  26. ^ "Arab League Slams Serbia, Kosovo Decision to Move Their Embassies to Occupied Jerusalem". Al Bawaba. September 6, 2020.
  27. ^ "وزارة الخارجية والمغتربين//دولة فلسطين تدين املاءات ترامب على صربيا وكوسوفو، وموافقتهما بخصوص التطبيع ونقل السفارة للقدس". وزارة الخارجية والمغتربين.
  28. ^ ""העברת השגרירויות תפגע בפלשתינים"". www.israelhayom.co.il. Retrieved September 7, 2020.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  29. ^ "Turkey concerned over Serbia's relocation of embassy to Jerusalem". WAFA Agency.
  30. ^ "Turkey 'disappointed' by Kosovo's move to recognise Israel". September 6, 2020.
  31. ^ "Belgrade-Pristina Dialogue: Joint Statement by President A.Vučić and Prime Minister A.Hoti ahead of their meeting in Brussels". September 7, 2020. Retrieved September 7, 2020.
  32. ^ "Serbia, Kosovo commit to EU talks on normalizing ties". September 7, 2020. Retrieved September 7, 2020.
  33. ^ "EU Warns Serbia, Kosovo Over Unexpected Israel Embassy Move". September 7, 2020. Retrieved September 7, 2020.
  34. ^ "EU Warns Serbia, Kosovo Over Unexpected Israel Embassy Move". Aljazeera. September 7, 2020. Retrieved September 7, 2020.
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