Annex: Statement of 19 April 2013 by the President
of the European Council Herman Van Rompuy, on the occasion of
the agreement within the facilitated dialogue on the normalisation
of relations between Serbia and Kosovo~
"I congratulate the Prime Minister of Serbia
Ivica Dai and the Prime Minister of Kosovo Hashim Thai for reaching
an agreement today within the facilitated dialogue in order to
normalise relations between Serbia and Kosovo. I also congratulate
the people in Serbia and Kosovo.
"The agreement today is historic and marks an
important moment in the relationship between Serbia and Kosovo
as well as in their relations with the European Union. I commend
both Prime Ministers for their personal and courageous contributions
to the process. This agreement represents a major achievement
as the parties have committed to jointly work towards a future
in the European Union.
"The European Union wants Serbia and Kosovo
to succeed. I reconfirm Serbia's and Kosovo's EU perspectives
and underline that the Member States of the European Union have
set out an ambitious agenda for both parties in 2013.
"Let me encourage the parties to continue with
the same constructive approach as regards implementing this agreement.
Concrete results in the implementation are critical; there are
no shortcuts. The necessary criteria, that will allow the European
Union to launch accession negotiations with Serbia and negotiations
on a Stabilisation and Association Agreement with Kosovo, must
be fulfilled.
"Finally, I would like to thank High Representative
Ashton for her committed, consistent conduct of the facilitated
dialogue crowned in the end with a true break-through."
| 
