Merkel: Priština, Belgrade to jointly reach solution

Source: B92, Beta, Tanjug

BERLIN, PRIŠTINA -- German Chancellor Angela Merkel reiterated Monday that it was necessary to find a solution for the conflicts in northern Kosovo.

Angela Merkel and Hashim Thaci (Tanjug)

She added that Serbia should meet the requirements laid down during her visit to Belgrade last summer, and that Kosovo should also contribute to the solving of issues.
“We are in direct contact with Belgrade, and we told Serbia clearly that it should establish a reasonable commodity exchange with Kosovo, which is currently not the case, establish control at the crossings in northern Kosovo and abolish the local parallel structures,” Merkel said after a meeting with Kosovo Prime Minister Hashim Thaci at Priština airport.

She said that, while she was in Priština, she did not wish to talk about what Serbia should do, adding that she conveyed to the Kosovo prime minister what was expected from Priština.

According to Merkel, Kosovo's independence was a huge step and now the Kosovo side must act responsibly with the aim of resolving all issues.

“It is important for the Kosovo authorities to cooperate with EULEX, but not only on paper,” said the German chancellor, who received assurance from Thaci that the request would be met.

As for the situation in northern Kosovo, Merkel said that it was above all necessary to establish reasonable relations.

Commenting the Belgrade-Priština dialogue, she pointed out that it was crucial to implement agreements, and stated as example a joint customs control, which should be established with the help of the Kosovo side.

The German chancellor underlined that it was important for Kosovo to become transparent and establish the rule of law.

Merkel arrived in Kosovo to visit the German soldiers within KFOR, who, as she said, significantly contributed to regional peace.

She said that latest developments showed that participation in international forces could be dangerous, adding that recent incidents proved that there was a lot more to be done in the solving of problems and improvement of relations with Serbia.