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EUROPEAN UNION EN
Brussels, 24 February 2012
5455/12
PRESSE 9
PRESS STATEMENT
EU facilitated dialogue: Agreement on Regional Cooperation and IBM technical protocol
The ninth meeting of the dialogue foreseen in UN General Assembly Resolution 64/298
was held with the facilitation of the EU on 22-24 February 2012, in Brussels. The meeting
was chaired by the EU facilitator, Mr. Robert Cooper. Dr. Tahiri led the Kosovo delegation
and Mr. Stefanovic led the Serbian delegation.
The meeting built on the discussions from the eight previous meetings held since the start
of the dialogue in March 2011, as well as on work conducted by various technical working
groups.
The parties reached agreement on regional representation and cooperation. Both parties
confirmed their commitment to the fundamental EU value of effective, inclusive and
representative regional cooperation. The agreement will allow for Kosovo to participate
and sign new agreements on its own account and to speak for itself at all regional
meetings. (Until now agreements have been signed by UNMIK on behalf of Kosovo).
Kosovo* will be the only denomination to be used and the footnote to be applied to the
asterisk will read: „This designation is without prejudice to positions on status, and is in
line with UNSC 1244 and the ICJ Opinion on the Kosovo Declaration of Independence“.
The parties also concluded a technical protocol on the implementation of the IBM deal
reached on 2 December 2011. This turns the agreed conclusions of December last year into
an operational agreement. It will enable those concerned to start work on practical
questions such as the budget, design and location of the facilities.
The meeting also provided an opportunity to review progress on the implementation of
other earlier agreements. The parties acknowledged that progress has been made and
committed themselves to proceed rapidly in this process. In this context, the parties in
particular look forward to a meeting of the Civil Registry working group next week with
the aim to accelerate the pace of implementation in this area.
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