Kosovo and Serbia economic normalization agreements
Signed | 4 September 2020 |
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Location | White House, Washington, D.C., United States of America |
Signatories | |
Parties | |
Language | English |
The 2020 Kosovo–Serbia agreement is an agreement for the normalisation of economic relations between the Republic of Kosovo[a] and the Republic of Serbia signed at the White House in Washington D.C., in the presence of US President Donald Trump on 4 September 2020.[1]
Background
The agreement was signed following two days of negotiations in Washington D.C. between Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic and Kosovo Prime Minister Avdullah Hoti.[2] The summit was organized by the Special Presidential Envoy for Serbia and Kosovo Peace Negotiations Richard Grenell, who along with Robert C. O'Brien cohosted the talks.[2][3] The signing ceremony took place in the Oval Office at the White House in the presence of US President Donald Trump on 4 September 2020.[3]
Agreement
Under the terms of the agreements signed, Serbia has suspended its efforts to encourage other states to either not recognise Kosovo or to revoke recognition for a period of one year and in return Kosovo will not apply for new membership of international organisations for the same period. Nothing in the agreement prevents other states from recognising the independence of Kosovo during this period, nor does the agreement prevent Kosovo form actively seeking such recognition.[4]
Serbia agreed to move its Israeli embassy to Jerusalem from Tel Aviv starting in July 2021 and Israel and Kosovo agreed to mutually recognise each other and establish diplomatic relations.[5]
The agreement also contains provisions for both Serbia and Kosovo designate Hezbollah as a terrorist organisation, to support decriminalisation of homosexuality around the world and commitments to identify remains from the 1998–99 Kosovo conflict and to rehabilitate refugees from that conflict.[4]
As part of the agreement, Serbia and Kosovo both agreed join the Mini Schengen Zone.[4]
Reactions
- Kosovo Prime Minister Avdullah Hoti stated that the singing of the agreement was a "great moment for Kosovo and the region".[1]
- Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic stated that the agreement "is a huge step forward".[1]
- US President Donald Trump praised the agreement stating that "There was a lot of fighting and now there’s a lot of love. Economics can bring people together."[6]
- The Prime Minister of Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu, issued a statement welcoming the agreement 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."[7]
See also
Notes
References
- ^ a b c "Serbia, Kosovo agreement", CNN, September 4, 2020.
- ^ a b Kelly, Laura, Maggie; Chalfant, Morgan (September 4, 2020). "US brokers economic breakthrough for Serbia, Kosovo". The Hill. Retrieved September 5, 2020.
- ^ a b Ballhaus, Rebecco; Pancevski, Bojan (September 4, 2020). "Serbia, Kosovo Agree to Normalize Economic Relations". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved September 4, 2020.
- ^ a b c Robinson, Jack (September 4, 2020). "Kosovo and Serbia sign 'economic normalisation' agreements". Balkan Insight. Retrieved September 4, 2020.
- ^ Riechmann, Deb (4 September 2020). "Serbia, Kosovo normalize economic ties, gesture to Israel". Associated Press. Retrieved 4 September 2020.
- ^ "Serbia, Kosovo sign economic pact at White House", Hurrıyet daily news.
- ^ Landau, Noa (September 4, 2020). "Israel to Recognize Kosovo, Which Will Open Embassy in Jerusalem Along With Serbia". Haaretz. Retrieved September 4, 2020.
External links
- 2020 in Kosovo
- 2020 in Serbia
- 2020 in the United States
- September 2020 events in the United States
- Kosovo–Serbia relations
- Kosovo–United States relations
- Serbia–United States relations
- Israel–Kosovo relations
- Israel–Serbia relations
- Presidency of Donald Trump
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