Kosovo and Serbia economic normalization agreements facts for kids

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Washington Agreement
Kosovo and Serbia economic normalization agreements
The signing ceremony in the Oval Office
Signed	September 4, 2020 (2020-09-04)
Location	White House, Washington, D.C., United States
Mediators	United States
Signatories	Avdullah Hoti (Kosovo) Aleksandar Vučić (Serbia) Donald Trump (witness)
Parties	Kosovo Serbia
Language	English

The Washington Agreement is a set of two documents. In these documents, Kosovo and Serbia agreed to make their economies work better together. The agreements were signed on September 4, 2020.

Avdullah Hoti, who was the Prime Minister of Kosovo, and Aleksandar Vučić, the President of Serbia, signed the papers. This happened at the White House in Washington, D.C. Donald Trump, who was the US President at the time, was also there.

Working Towards Peace

Milun Trivunac (left), Richard Grenell (standing right), and Eset Berisha (sitting right) discussing peace negotiations.

In October 2019, US President Trump chose Richard Grenell to help with peace talks between Serbia and Kosovo. After many discussions, in January 2020, Grenell helped the two countries agree to restart flights between their capital cities. This was a big step, as flights had been stopped for over 20 years.

A peace meeting was planned for June 2020 in Washington, D.C. However, it was canceled because of a legal issue involving one of the leaders.

A new meeting was then set up by Grenell for September 3 and 4, 2020, at the White House. Grenell and Robert C. O'Brien led these talks. On September 4, President Vučić of Serbia and Prime Minister Hoti of Kosovo signed the agreements. The signing happened in the Oval Office with President Trump present.

Two separate documents were signed. The only small difference between them was a part about relations with Israel. Both documents started with a message of congratulations from President Trump.

Even while talking with the United States about money and business, Kosovo and Serbia also kept talking with the European Union. These EU talks focused more on their political disagreements. Both countries also faced challenges because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Key Agreements and Promises

The agreements included several important points for both Kosovo and Serbia.

Stopping Efforts Against Recognition

For one year, Serbia agreed to stop trying to convince other countries not to recognize Kosovo. It also agreed not to try and make countries change their minds if they already recognized Kosovo. In return, Kosovo agreed not to try and join new international organizations for the same time.

Finding Missing Persons and Helping Refugees

Both sides promised to work together to find people who went missing during the Kosovo War (1998–99). They also agreed to help people who became refugees during and after that conflict.

Improving Transport and Economy

Kosovo and Serbia agreed to study how to connect their railway lines to a big seaport on the Adriatic Sea. They also agreed to work with US banks to fund important projects. These projects include building a "Peace Highway," creating new railway links, and helping small and medium-sized businesses. They also planned to make the Merdare border crossing between them work better. The United States promised loans to help pay for these big projects. A US development bank even opened an office in Belgrade.

Making Air Travel Safer

Both countries agreed to improve how they check airline passengers. They will also share more information with each other to stop illegal activities.

Sharing Water and Energy

They will study how to share Lake Gazivode/Ujmani. This lake is an important source of water and energy for both sides.

Joining the Mini-Schengen Zone

Kosovo and Serbia agreed to join a special economic zone called the mini-Schengen zone. This zone helps goods and people move more freely between countries.

Recognizing Diplomas

Each side agreed to accept the school diplomas and job certificates from the other country. This makes it easier for people to work or study in either place.

Relations with Israel

As part of the agreements, Serbia agreed to move its embassy in Israel to Jerusalem by July 2021. Also, Israel and Kosovo agreed to recognize each other as countries and start diplomatic relations. Kosovo also said it would open its embassy in Jerusalem. This made Serbia and Kosovo the first European countries to have embassies in Jerusalem. Kosovo was also the first country with a majority Muslim population to do so.

5G Network Security

Both sides agreed to remove certain 5G internet equipment from their phone networks. This equipment came from companies that were seen as "untrusted." They also agreed not to let such companies bid for future projects. Officials said this was mainly about Chinese companies like Huawei Technologies.

Protecting Religious Freedom

Both countries promised to protect and promote religious freedom. This includes encouraging talks between different faiths and protecting religious sites. They also agreed to return Jewish property that was lost during the Holocaust and had no owner.

Other Commitments

The agreements also included promises to name Hezbollah as a terrorist organization. They also agreed to support making homosexuality legal around the world.

What Happened Next

Putting the Agreements into Action

On September 15, 2020, US banks signed letters of interest with Kosovo and Serbia. These letters were about funding the "Peace Highway" between Nis and Pristina.
On September 21, 2020, Richard Grenell and Adam S. Boehler (from a US development bank) visited Kosovo. They signed an agreement for the US to invest 1 billion dollars in Kosovo. This money was for railway projects, the Peace Highway, and other plans from the agreement.
On September 22, 2020, Grenell and Boehler visited Serbia. They signed a statement about funding economic development. They also opened the first overseas office for the US development bank in Belgrade.
Also on September 22, 2020, the heads of the Chambers of Commerce from Kosovo and Serbia agreed to create a team. This team would work on putting the economic agreement into action.
On October 14, 2020, Serbia made the Merdare border crossing between Serbia and Kosovo fully operational.
On October 19, 2020, Serbia and Kosovo agreed to form a joint committee. This committee would work to find the remains of about 1,600 people missing from the 1998-1999 Kosovo Conflict.
On January 21, 2021, the US Ambassador to Serbia and Serbia's Finance Minister signed an investment agreement. This allowed the US development bank to start its work in Serbia.
On February 1, 2021, Kosovo and Israel officially started diplomatic relations. On March 14, 2021, Kosovo opened its embassy in Israel.

How People Reacted

Positive Reactions

Israel: Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu welcomed the agreements. He said Kosovo would be the "first country with a Muslim majority to open an embassy in Jerusalem." He also said that more countries were expected to recognize Israel.
Kosovo: Prime Minister Avdullah Hoti called the signing a "great moment for Kosovo and the region." Later, President Hashim Thaçi gave President Trump a high honor, the Order of Freedom. He thanked Trump for helping bring peace to the Balkan region.
Russia: Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said Russia supported Serbia. He believed the agreement helped with peace.
Serbia: President Aleksandar Vučić said the agreements were "a huge step forward."
United States: President Trump praised the agreements. He called it a "Truly historic day" and said that "Economics can bring people together."

Negative Reactions

The Arab League did not like the decision by Serbia and Kosovo to open embassies in Jerusalem.
The Palestinian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates strongly criticized the decision. They called it an "attack against the Palestinian people" and their rights. The Palestinian ambassador to Serbia said the move went against international law.
Turkey was concerned about Serbia moving its embassy to Jerusalem. They called it a "clear violation of international law." Turkey also asked Kosovo not to put its embassy in Jerusalem.

Mixed Reactions

European Union: On September 7, 2020, in Brussels, Serbia and Kosovo leaders said they cared most about joining the EU. They also wanted to continue their talks led by the EU. The EU said the Washington agreements could help with reaching a full agreement. However, the EU also warned Serbia and Kosovo that moving their embassies to Jerusalem could hurt their chances of joining the EU.