EU Envoy focuses on missing persons in Kosovo-Serbia talks
According to Kosova Press, the European Union’s Envoy for the Kosovo-Serbia dialogue, Miroslav Lajčák, announced that this week’s discussions in Brussels will focus on the inaugural meeting of the Joint Commission for Missing Persons.
Kosovo and Serbia agreed in December last year to fully implement the Joint Declaration on forcibly disappeared persons. The decision to establish the Joint Commission was reached during a tripartite meeting between the chief negotiators and the EU envoy in Brussels.
Why is this important: The issue of missing persons remains one of the most sensitive topics in the Kosovo-Serbia dialogue. During the 1998-1999 war in Kosovo, more than 6,000 individuals went missing, and 1,600 are still unaccounted for. Despite ongoing efforts, Kosovo continues to demand information from Serbia on the whereabouts of these individuals, but progress has been limited.
What Lajčák said: Lajčák emphasized the importance of advancing the dialogue while highlighting his recent discussions with U.S. officials to address geopolitical challenges in the Western Balkans.
“My first mission of the year took me to the United States. In Washington, D.C., I engaged in detailed discussions with Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs, Jim O’Brien, and Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for the Western Balkans, Sasha Kasanof. Together, we delved into the geopolitical challenges and opportunities facing the region, stressing the importance of continued cooperation and the need to advance the Normalization Dialogue,” Lajčák stated.
Lajčák also mentioned that he briefed Deputy Secretary of State Richard Verma ahead of Verma’s visit to the region.
“Back in Brussels, the focus this week will be on the Missing Persons with the first meeting of the Joint Commission,” he added.
Context: In 2023, Kosovo and Serbia signed the Joint Declaration on Missing Persons as part of the EU-mediated dialogue to normalize relations. The declaration includes commitments to access reliable information, including classified data, and to make all relevant documents available to determine the fate of missing individuals.
The Joint Commission’s work is crucial for building trust and addressing the humanitarian aspects of the normalization process between the two nations.
Next steps: The first meeting of the Joint Commission will mark the beginning of efforts to resolve one of the most contentious issues in the dialogue. The international community, particularly the EU and the U.S., remains heavily involved in facilitating progress.
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