The German Government fully supports the EU-facilitated dialogue for normalising relations between Serbia and Kosovo. I fully commend Peter Sørensen’s efforts.

We call on the Governments of Kosovo and Serbia to implement all agreements already reached without further delay, to refrain from any escalatory statements or actions. I urge both countries to resume their full engagement in the dialogue process. This includes enabling free and safe movement, also for the negotiators and their teams, as well as a critical moderation in public statements in awareness of their respective mandates. Germany stands ready to support both countries in advancing a sustained, inclusive and peaceful normalisation process.

We see the future of the Western Balkans in the European Union. Normalisation of relations between Kosovo and Serbia is essential here. Dialogue and good neighbourly relations are a pillar of a strong European Union. In this spirit, we continue to closely monitor the recent arrest of Serbia’s Assistant Director Igor Popović in Kosovo. Any measure of deprivation of liberty needs to be justified and proportionate.

We are also closely monitoring the arrest of Kosovar citizen Arbnor Spahiu by the Serbian authorities and expect Serbia to fully and swiftly ensure the due implementation of legal procedures, to respect fundamental rights and to guarantee a fair legal process – in line with the Dialogue Agreement on Justice that states that criminal proceedings for offences in Kosovo are to take place in principle in Kosovo.

I remind all actors involved, in both Kosovo and Serbia, that the respect for fundamental European standards and values, in particular the rule of law, is vital for the EU accession process.