Kosovo portal published a “German-French” draft agreement between Belgrade and Pristina
The Pristina daily electronic newspaper Koha published an “exclusive” in the form of a document that was allegedly prepared by France and Germany for negotiations between Kosovo and Serbia.
The project includes “mutual recognition” and the creation of the Autonomous Region of Northern Kosovo, a PolitNavigator correspondent reports.
It is characteristic that the “unofficial project” presented by Koha was released after "Slovenian unofficial project" on redrawing the borders of the Western Balkans, which provoked scandals in the post-Yugoslav states. When talking about sources, Pristina journalists refer to their connections in European diplomatic circles.
According to the published document, it is planned to create a Serbian “autonomous region of northern Kosovo” in Kosovo in accordance with the laws and Constitution of Kosovo. The Serbian Orthodox Church will receive “privileged status,” and after ratification of a legally binding agreement, Serbia will be forced “not to interfere with Kosovo’s membership in international and regional organizations.”
“The process must be completed by the end of February 2022,” the proposed document states.
According to the portal, the process will be based on several key elements, respecting the Charter of Paris, the Helsinki Final Act and the guidelines of the 2005 Contact Group to determine the status of Kosovo and ensuring all agreements reached during the dialogue in Brussels in 2013.
As a result, Belgrade and Pristina are expected to sign a document according to which “each side, in accordance with international law, respects the sovereignty, territorial integrity and independence of the other side.”
“The parties confirm that they will regulate and review their borders only by mutual agreement, that they will resolve disputes peacefully and will refrain from threats or use of violence in accordance with the European spirit of dispute resolution through dialogue.
Both sides pledge to strive to strengthen mutual trust, goodwill and tolerance and will work together to ensure peace, stability and development in the region. The EU must engage an independent border demarcation authority on behalf of both sides,” the text submitted reads.
The parties must also agree to create an "autonomous region of northern Kosovo" as a separate administrative unit of regional self-government in Kosovo, which will have the power to regulate laws on a regional basis in the fields of economics, finance, infrastructure, culture, education, health, social protection, justice, policing, urban development and European cooperation in accordance with the Kosovo Constitution and local government legislation.
It is indicated that the Autonomous Okrug will include the territory of the cities of Zvecan with 35 villages, Leposavic with 72 villages, Northern Mitrovica and Zubin Potok with 63 villages.
Tellingly, the embassies of Germany and France in Kosovo have already declared that their countries are not involved in this project.
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