In two separate meetings, KDI representatives met with the Mayor of South Mitrovica Agim Bahtiri, and Chief Executive Officer in the municipality of North Mitrovica Adrijana Hodzic, where the issues related to Kosovo-Serbia dialogue were addressed.

In these meetings it was discussed about the progress and setbacks in the process of implementation of the Brussels agreements, namely the Agreement on Mitrovica Bridge, Agreement on Justice, Civil Protection structures and Agreement on diploma recognition, as well as for the willingness of KDI to increase transparency and citizen participation in this process.

Mr. Bahtiri stated that the negotiating process regarding Agreement on Mitrovica Bridge was transparent, however he considers that generally there's lack of transparency in the dialogue process between Kosovo and Serbia. He added that there is progress in the implementation of the Agreement on Bridge of Mitrovica, but he confirms that the MoU which is supposed to be reached between Southern and Northern Mitrovica municipalities regarding municipal boundaries, is still being negotiated in Pristina.

While Mrs.Hodzic expressed that it is very important the participation of citizens and local stakeholders on the issues discussed in the dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia. Mrs. Hodzic also identified as a problems the lack of mechanisms for implementation of the agreements reached in practice.

Expressing appreciation for the initiative taken by KDI on increasing transparency and citizen participation in the dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia, Mr. Bahtiri and Ms. Hodzic expressed their willingness to cooperate with KDI in the future.

 

The project “Strengthening parliamentary oversight of the executive and increasing citizens’ participation in the dialogue Kosovo – Serbia” is funded by the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs of Switzerland.