Brussels Agreement (2013)
| Type | multilateral treaty |
|---|---|
| Context | normalizations of Kosovo–Serbia relations |
| Signed | 19 April 2013 |
| Location | Brussels, Belgium |
| Original signatories |
Serbia Kosovo |
| Ratifiers | Kosovo |
The Brussels Agreement (Albanian: Marrëveshja e Brukselit; Serbian: Бриселски споразум / Briselski sporazum) was made between the governments of Serbia and Kosovo on the normalization of their relations. It was negotiated and concluded, although not signed by either party, in Brussels under the auspices of the European Union. The negotiations were led by Serbian Prime Minister Ivica Dačić and Kosovo Prime Minister Hashim Thaçi, and mediated by EU High Representative Catherine Ashton. The agreement was concluded on 19 April 2013.
Following the Kosovo War and NATO bombing of Yugoslavia in 1999, Kosovo was placed under United Nations administration under UNSC Resolution 1244. In 2008, Kosovo unilaterally declared independence and has since been recognized by 111 countries.
So far ten rounds of talks were held at the European External Action Service office in Brussels. Baroness Ashton, the EU High Representative, had been chairing talks for two years. followed by Federica Mogherini. Normalization of relations with neighbouring states is a key precondition for states wishing to join the EU; the Brussels Agreement brought Serbia close to EU accession talks and Kosovo to initialling a Stabilisation and Association Agreement (SAA). The SAA was signed by HR Mogherini and PM Mustafa in October 2015. One of the most difficult problems still is removing the parallel Serbian structures in the Northern part of Kosovo until full sovereignty.
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