Ursula von der Leyen's pledge for Serbia: make peace with Kosovo and prosperity will follow

The EU Commission President is half way through a four-day visit to the Western Balkans.

Transcript

00:00 On a Balkan charm offensive with EU expansion the ultimate goal, Ursula von der Leyen was

00:07 in Belgrade to meet Alexander Vucic. The presidents of the EU Commission and Serbia both acknowledged

00:13 that a major stumbling block remains tensions between Serbia and Kosovo. And ensuring both

00:20 sides abide by the Orid agreement that was signed in March.

00:25 It is about the implementation of the Orid agreement. This Orid agreement foresees various

00:32 steps which include for example the recognition of documents and institutions by Serbia. And

00:40 this on the other hand goes along with the establishment of the association of Serb majority

00:46 municipalities. This has to be delivered by Kosovo.

00:51 Vucic's president insisted that for the agreement to work commitments were needed by both sides.

00:57 Commitments he said Kosovo had failed to meet.

01:18 The EU Commission president is keen to point out that if political divisions cannot be

01:23 overcome Serbia could pay a hefty economic price. She believes its GDP could double in

01:28 ten years if it works with the EU.

01:30 [Whoosh]