Croatian Prime Minister, German Chancellor, Advocate Peaceful Settlement In Kosovo

Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenkoviс and German Chancellor Angela Merkel expressed their support on Tuesday for the peaceful settlement in Kosovo.

They have planned to resolve the conflict between Kosovo and Serbia in compliance with the principle of territorial integrity.

Earlier on Tuesday, Plencovic, who arrived in Berlin on Monday, held talks with Merkel to discuss bilateral relations along with a number of issues on the EU agenda.

“Croatia advocates the principle of territorial integrity and a peaceful solution to the conflict between Kosovo and Serbia’’ Plencovic said at a joint press conference with Merkel following the talks.

Merkel shared the view of her Croatian colleague, saying that Berlin supported any negotiations that aimed to solve the issue.

“We support all the negotiations that lead to the goal’s achievement [the conflict’s resolution, but, at the same time, we note that the territorial integrity also has a major importance,’’ Merkel said, expressing hope that Kosovo and Serbia would engage in a dialogue.

In 2008, Kosovo authorities unilaterally declared independence, but not by Serbia, which still regards it as its Autonomous Province of Kosovo and Metohija.

In 2013, the Brussels Agreement on normalizing relations between Serbia and Kosovo was signed as the European Union persuaded Serbia to begin cooperating with Kosovo.

In 2015, an accord on forming the self-governing association of the Serb-dominated regions of Kosovo was signed.

The EU-set deadline for the implementation of the above-mentioned agreements by Kosovo expired on Aug. 4.

Pristina’s failure to stick to the terms of the agreements resulted in an escalation of tensions in the region.