October 30, 2024
Madam President,
First of all, I would like to thank the Special Representative of the Secretary-General, Ms Caroline Ziadeh, for her briefing. I welcome the presence among us of the Ministers of Foreign affairs of Serbia, Mr Marko Djuric, and of Kosovo, Ms Donika Gërvalla-Schwarz.
Madam President,
There is an urgent need to make progress towards normalizing relations between Serbia and Kosovo and appeasing tensions. The normalization of these relations is a guarantee of regional stability and an essential condition for the European perspective that both countries have chosen.
France welcomes the unblocking of the work on the Central European Free Trade Agreement thanks to the compromise found in October between Kosovo and Serbia, UNMIK’s facilitating role in this respect, and the Kosovar government’s decision to reopen the Merdare border crossing to goods from Serbia. This is an important decision that allows progress towards regional and European integration. Further efforts are still expected to reduce waiting times at the border.
France welcomes the decisions taken at the end of last year by the Serbian authorities to begin implementing the Brussels-Ohrid agreement, as well as Prime Minister Miloš Vučević’s declaration on October 9, in which Serbia commits to implementing all its obligations within the framework of the dialogue facilitated by the European Union.
This progress is encouraging, but still insufficient. Efforts must be pursued for the agreement concluded more than a year and a half ago to be fully implemented. It is essential that both parties demonstrate their willingness to make progress in this dialogue.
Madam President,
France condemns the increasing number of unilateral actions by the Kosovar authorities in the North of the country, which are affecting the daily lives of the Serbian community. These decisions are unnecessarily fueling tensions.
France recalls that Kosovo’s Euro-Atlantic integration depends first and foremost on progress within the framework of the dialogue facilitated by the EU. The status of Serb parallel structures must be resolved within this framework, through the creation of the Association of Serb Majority Municipalities (ASMM) on the basis of the draft European statute. The lack of progress on this point remains an obstacle to the effective implementation of the rights of persons belonging to Kosovo’s Serbian minority. It is essential to restore representative democracy in Northern Kosovo, and to re-establish the active participation of Serbs in local governance, policing and the judiciary.
The end of September marked the first anniversary of the tragic attack in Banjska. It is unacceptable that the perpetrators of this crime are still free. They must be held accountable. The Serbian authorities are well aware of the commitments they have made and what they must do in this regard. France will continue to pay close attention to developments on this issue.
Madam President,
The normalization of relations between Serbia and Kosovo cannot be achieved without a search for compromise between the parties and, in so doing, without the political courage to achieve it. France calls on the Serbian and Kosovar leaders to act responsibly and honor their commitments.
We will continue to support the European mediation with a view to achieving a comprehensive, definitive and legally binding agreement. It is through dialogue and within the framework of European mediation that just and lasting solutions will be found. Let’s recall that the European Union was given a mandate in this regard by the United Nations General Assembly.
France supports UNMIK’s efforts to strengthen the rule of law, respect for human rights and reconciliation between the communities in Kosovo, in coordination with KFOR and EULEX Kosovo. UNMIK’s mandate is linked to the normalization of relations between Serbia and Kosovo. France is in favor of maintaining it for as long as necessary.
Thank you for your attention.