SERBIA LAST night agreed to enter talks over the status of Kosovo, a move that saw the country abandon plans for a challenge in the UN General Assembly against the independence of its former province.
Although President Boris Tadic insisted his decision to co-sponsor a compromise resolution with the 27 EU member states “in no way includes recognition of Kosovo’s independence”, the development heralds a softening in his stance.
The joint resolution calls on the General Assembly to acknowledge the opinion of the UN’s highest court that Kosovo’s declaration of independence in 2008 did not violate international law. It also welcomes the EU’s readiness to facilitate dialogue between the parties.
Mr Tadic’s endorsement of the new text marks a significant reversal, as the original resolution he backed called for Kosovo’s secession to be condemned.
Serbs consider Kosovo to be the cradle of their culture and national identity, but had latterly made up only 10 per cent of its population. The country’s first response to the ruling by the International Court of Justice in July was to insist that there was no reason to change its policy of non-recognition.
The change by Mr Tadic followed talks with EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton. The backdrop is the prospect of Serbia’s application to join the EU being stalled if it did not recognise Kosovo.
Mr Tadic described the joint resolution of Serbia and the EU as a “compromise” and said it was the result of joint work. “The agreed text of the resolution was reached with a sincere desire to solve all open issues in a partnership with the EU, and all other important international factors,” he said.
Baroness Ashton said: “We have been working together with Serbia and this result today is a reflection of our common commitment to Serbia’s European perspective. After the UN General Assembly vote . . . the important thing will be that the dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina can start. This dialogue will in itself be a factor for peace, security and stability in the region.”
The concession by Mr Tadic was welcomed by liberal Serbs, who believe it may bring the country closer to the EU. But the opposition Democratic Party decried it as “an act of capitulation at an ultimatum by the western powers in order to snatch away Kosovo”.