1 December

The European Union-mediated negotiations between Serbia and Kosovo are a means to normalise the relations between the two countries, Foreign Minister Urmas Paet said today at the meeting of the European Union foreign ministers in Brussels. The ministers discussed the situation in the Western Balkans, first and foremost the situation of Serbia and Kosovo. "The central problem in the Western Balkans right now is relations between Serbia and Kosovo, which have been worsening since the summer due to the North Kosovo border and customs dispute,” Paet explained.

The Estonian foreign minister stated that this situation must change and that the free movement of people and international missions in North Kosovo should be guaranteed. “We are interested in finding a solution regarding North Kosovo that would take into account the interests of the Serbians there,” he noted.

When talking about Serbia’s accession to the European Union, Paet said that Estonia supports giving candidate country status to Serbia and starting with accession negotiations. “We feel that Serbia has made sufficient progress in carrying out reforms to earn this,” he said.

Estonia also supports starting accession negotiations with Montenegro, since Montenegro has fulfilled the requirements set for it by the European Commission.

Foreign Minister Paet feels that in order for Bosnia and Herzegovina to make positive developments, the country must focus on reforms that are necessary for integration with the European Union. “Therefore we consider the support mechanism necessary for ensuring the presence of the European Union in Bosnia and Herzegovina,” he stated.