Belgrade-Pristina dialogue

SOUNDBITE (English) Robert COOPER, EU facilitator (Counsellor) for the Belgrade-Pristina dialogue

These were two agreements we reached in this dialogue, both, in different ways, significant. The agreement on regional cooperation is very important for the EU as it is based on the idea of wider regional cooperation, the more the governments communicate with each other, the better for everybody's welfare and security. This is the principal we want to apply in the Balkans as well, the more people talk with each other the better they can run business especially in a small area with a large number of countries. Secondly it is a matter of security, the more people talk and know each other, the less likely this are to go wrong. Regional cooperation is an important issue for Europe as a whole and the Balkans. Until now this cooperation has been imperfect, Kosovo has not been represented in all intergovernmental fora, this agreement makes sure that Kosovo speaks for Kosovo, that the Kosovo government participates as a full member of all organisations on its own account, they will exercise all their own rights. It puts the whole of regional cooperation of the Balkans in a much more solid and lasting footing.

Keywords : Kosovo | Western Balkans | Cooper | regional cooperation Duration : 00:02:15

SOUNDBITE (English) Robert COOPER, EU facilitator (Counsellor) for the Belgrade-Pristina dialogue

In regional cooperation, the debate during last months has been about one sentence, which is a footnote attached on the name Kosovo. The name is important because under this name Kosovo will sign regional treaties and this is how it will be described in programmes and agendas.

Duration : 00:00:28

SOUNDBITE (English) Robert COOPER, EU facilitator (Counsellor) for the Belgrade-Pristina dialogue

What matters is not the name or the footnote, but that Kosovo represents itself and they are sitting around the table.

Duration : 00:00:10

SOUNDBITE (English) Robert COOPER, EU facilitator (Counsellor) for the Belgrade-Pristina dialogue

The footnote contains the two pieces of international law that are imporant in the case of Kosovo. One is the UN Security Council Resolution 1244 and the other is the ICG opinion on the Kosovo declaration of independence. The two sides look at these pieces in two ways. 1244 established initially a UN administration of Kosovo but it also provides for a UN administration transition to a settlement. In the view of the Kosovo government, this transition has taken place under 1244, whereas the Serbian government believes this transition has not taken place. The fact that resolution 1244 exists is common ground, as well as that the ICG opinion exists. The footnote means that the name Kosovo is in conformity with international law, it can be accepted by both sides without prejudicing the subject of status.

Keywords : United Nations Duration : 00:01:37

SOUNDBITE (English) Robert COOPER, EU facilitator (Counsellor) for the Belgrade-Pristina dialogue

The IBM agreement about the integrated management of crossing points follows on from the political agreement we had in December, it will be the first legal agreement between Pristina and Belgrade , of course without prejudice on the question of status. It will put work on practical details. When the IBM crossing points are actually functioning, it will involve daily cooperation between customs, policy and immigration. Our experience says that even when countries have differences, the customs personnel find a lot in common. If this cooperation works it will be good for ordinary people, as well as for law and order. This is a good agreement, because whereas the first agreement concerns high-level people, the second is about everyday officials, so in these two agreements we have covered a whole span of cooperation.

Keywords : customs | border control | IBM Duration : 00:02:03

SOUNDBITE (English) Robert COOPER, EU facilitator (Counsellor) for the Belgrade-Pristina dialogue

EULEX has been present in the negotiations, they will help with the design of the facilities and in some of them they will play an active role as well.

Keywords : EULEX Duration : 00:00:40

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Duration : 00:00:01