Belgrade-Serbia-January 24, 2023

During his meeting last week with representatives of

The European Union, the United States, France, Germany and Italy, Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said he had received a proposal aimed at ending the long-standing tension with Kosovo.

Vucic also announced that he had received an "ultimatum" from influential Western countries to normalize relations with Kosovo or face measures that could cause "significant harm" to his country.

"You must accept this plan, otherwise you will face the suspension of the European integration process, the withdrawal of investments, Comprehensive Economic and political measures and their cessation, which will cause great harm to the Republic of Serbia,"he added.

During a televised press conference, Vucic indicated that the Serbian parliament would have to discuss the proposal, hinting at the possibility of holding a referendum. The Serbian president did not disclose what the proposal contained, but stressed that without the EU Serbia would become "isolated".

EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said the meetings in Kosovo and Serbia focused on "discussing the proposal to normalize relations. We stressed that progress on this proposal will bring significant benefits to both sides,"he said.

Serbia has been a candidate to join the European Union for more than a decade, but normalizing relations with Kosovo is a key condition for moving its file forward.

"Serbia must remain on course to join the European Union because without that we will be lost economically and politically. "If we are alone and isolated, that's not something I would accept as president.

Kosovo declared its independence from Serbia in 2008 after a bloody war in the late nineties. Belgrade and its two main allies, Russia and China, refused to recognize the move, which deprived Pristina of obtaining a seat at the United Nations.