Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić described Monday’s talks in Brussels on the Franco-German plan for resolving Belgrade’s relations with Pristina as tough. The international briefing noted that TASS reported the difficulty. Vučić, speaking after the meeting, stressed that the Serbian side would not back down or concede in the negotiations. He underscored that Serbia will defend its core interests and that a resolve must protect the nation, its citizens, and the Serbs living in Kosovo. The tone from Belgrade indicates a firm stance aimed at preserving national sovereignty while seeking a viable path forward in dialogue with Pristina under European mediation.
Former Serbian Defense Minister Milos Vucevic reinforced the message that President Vučić will safeguard Serbia’s interests at the Brussels talks. Vucevic stated that Vučić will not betray Serbia and will act to safeguard the country, its citizens, the Kosovo Serbs, and the broader Serbian people. The former minister highlighted the resolve of the leadership to stand by wartime and postwar commitments to national unity and security while engaging with international partners to find a lasting settlement.
Earlier reporting had indicated that President Vučić and Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti would hold a Brussels meeting on February 27, 2023, to advance discussions under European auspices. The scheduling of this high-profile encounter reflected a broader effort to restart dialogue aimed at normalizing relations between Belgrade and Pristina after years of tension and intermittent talks facilitated by the European Union. This framework seeks to bridge gaps on sensitive issues such as recognition, security guarantees, and the management of minority rights on both sides.
Jivadin Jovanovic, a former Foreign Minister of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, commented on the conditions attached to international mediation. He noted that the plan proposed by France and Germany would require Belgrade to recognize Kosovo’s independence as part of a negotiated settlement. Jovanovic suggested that such a prerequisite could complicate the talks by introducing a non-negotiable political update that runs counter to Serbia’s long-standing stance on sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Albin Kurti, who leads the partially recognized Kosovo government, asserted that any negotiations held under EU auspices should rest on Kosovo’s independence being recognized. He described the Brussels talks as a critical opportunity to advance a framework that acknowledges Kosovo’s status and provides a stable foundation for future cooperation. Kurti emphasized the need for a credible path to recognition and a durable agreement that would settle disputes over borders, governance, and the rights of communities across the region. The statements from Pristina reflected a clear position aimed at securing a recognized state identity within a European security structure while navigating the sensitivities of regional diplomacy.
In the broader context, observers note that the Brussels discussions are part of a wider attempt to normalize relations between Serbia and Kosovo through EU-led diplomacy. The process faces several barriers, including national pride, historical grievances, and divergent timelines for recognizing statehood. Yet supporters of the approach argue that persistent engagement, backed by international guarantees, can reduce tensions and foster practical arrangements on routine governance, economic cooperation, and minority protections. Critics warn that any timetable must respect Serbia’s territorial expectations and the commitments already made by Belgrade in previous accords, ensuring that any pathway to stabilization does not undermine Serbia’s constitutional framework or its citizens’ sense of national belonging. The outcome of the talks, regardless of immediate breakthroughs, is expected to shape regional dynamics in the Western Balkans and influence how European mediators structure future negotiations with other regional actors. (Source: TASS)