Next Steps for the Dialogue: A decisive moment for Normalization between Serbia

The Atlantic Council’s Europe Center is delighted to invite you to a virtual public event on the next steps for the Belgrade – Pristina Dialogue featuring a panel of regional experts analyzing the state of play of the EU-facilitated Belgrade – Pristina Dialogue. This event will take place virtually on Friday, March 17 from 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. EDT.

On February 27, 2023, Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic and Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti met with senior EU counterparts in Brussels for continued talks under the EU-led Belgrade – Pristina Dialogue which aims to normalize relations between Serbia and Kosovo. In this meeting, both leaders agreed in principle to the EU Proposal “Agreement on the path to normalization between Kosovo and Serbia” which includes a commitment by both parties to cultivate good-neighborly relations in order to achieve lasting peace.

This preliminary agreement promises a significant step towards overcoming the long-standing conflict between Belgrade and Pristina and creating the conditions for cooperation for the benefit of the people of Kosovo and Serbia, and of the Western Balkans as a whole. Still, there is significant work ahead. Both leaders must negotiate the implementation of the Agreement amid intense national debates.

This panel discussion takes place on the eve of the March 18th reconvening of the two leaders and EU officials in North Macedonia which is expected to produce a plan for the implementation of the EU Agreement. Ahead of this important meeting, these panelists will discuss the current status of talks in Belgrade and Pristina on the EU Agreement as well as the domestic dynamics in both countries affecting the negotiations. The event will also focus on the impact an agreement would have on relations of both countries with the EU and the United States, and the significance that a completed deal on normalization would hold, particularly in the historical context of the tenth anniversary of the Brussels Agreement.

We hope that you will be able to join us for this timely conversation. This discussion will take place on Zoom and will be broadcast on YouTube, Twitter, and Facebook. To receive the event information, please register using the button above. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email with information on how to watch the event.