No solution for Kosovo and Metohija without the support of great powers: Austrian Chancellor on the outcome of the Belgrade-Pristina dialogue

Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz said that any possible solution to the Kosovo problem would have to be supported by the great powers, especially permanent members of the UN Security Council, stressing that the citizens of Serbia must be aware that without clear progress in relations between Belgrade and Pristina, Serbia will not be able to join European Union.

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- It is in our interest to be in close partnership with the United States when it comes to the Western Balkans and we have their support in encouraging progress in reaching a solution to this important issue - Kurz said in an interview with Cord magazine.

As he said, the citizens of Serbia must be aware that "without the effective and clear normalization of relations between Belgrade and Pristina there will be no EU accession".

- We have good relations with Belgrade and Pristina, we are trying to support the dialogue process as much as possible - said the Austrian Chancellor.

Foto: Tanjug/AP

Kurc reiterated that he always considered that Serbia should have a place in the European Union, as well as all other countries of the Western Balkans, adding that what is happening in the Western Balkans has a direct impact on Austria.

The Austrian chancellor added that a number of reforms need to be implemented to join the EU and that the number of reforms has already been carried out in Serbia under the leadership of Aleksandar Vucic.

Asked whether the accession of Serbia and other Western Balkan countries was temporarily removed from the Brussels agenda, given the current developments within the EU, Kurt specifically emphasized that this was not true.

- What could have led you to such a conclusion? It is the opposite because during the Bulgarian and Austrian EU presidencies in 2018 the enlargement process was placed on top of the agenda - emphasized by the Austrian chancellor.

FOTO TANJUG/ FILIP KRAINCANIC

Asked whether the differences between him and the head of Serbian diplomacy Ivica Dacic influenced bilateral relations between Serbia and Austria, Kurz responded that the relations of the two countries are excellent and that both countries have an interest in preserving it.

- I have regular meetings with President Vucic and my colleague, Prime Minister Ana Brnabic, and we have excellent personal relations. I know Ivica Dacic for a long time and we saw each other in Vienna recently - said Kurz.

Reminding that Austria is one of the main investors in Serbia and that up to now has invested over 2.3 billion euros in that country, Kurz stressed that Austrian companies are interested in long-term investment and expanding business in the country.

(Telegraf.co.uk / Tanjug)