Kosovo freezes EU-brokered deal with Serbia

Kosovo's Consitutional Court suspended on 10 November 2015 the implementation of ane EU-brokered deal that gave more autonomy for municipalities with a majority Serbian population.

Kosovo and Serbia finalised the agreement in August 2015, as part of efforts to 'normalise relations', required by the European Union if they want to eventually become member states of the Community. Following protests in Pristina in October, the country's president decided to ask the constitutional court whether the agreement was in line with Kosovo's constitution.

The verdict came just as the European Commission presented a progress report on Kosovo in which it praised the deal as a 'key agreement.'

Riots erupted on 18 November 2015 in Pristina over Kosovo's relations with Serbia, with protesters setting fire to garbage containers and government vehicles in the capital Pristina.

On the 23 December 2015 Kosovo's Constitutional Court formally found parts of the deal between Serbia and its former province of Kosovo illegal. The deal had sparked a political crisis in Kosovo. However, the Court also suspended the November 2015 decision to stop implementation of the deal.

• Primary Source

ESO: Background information: Kosovo opposition tries to overturn landmark deal with Serbia http://www.europeansources.info/record/kosovo-opposition-tries-to-overturn-landmark-deal-with-serbia/

ESO: Background information: Key findings of the 2015 report on Kosovo http://www.europeansources.info/record/memo-key-findings-of-the-2015-report-on-kosovo/

The Guardian, 11.11.15: Kosovo deal to empower Serbs is put on hold by constitutional court http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/nov/11/kosovo-deal-to-empower-serbs-is-put-on-hold-by-constitutional-court

Deutsche Welle, 10.11.15: Kosovo freezes key EU deal on autonomy for Serb communities http://dw.com/p/1H3if

Balkan Insight, 10.11.15: Kosovo Court Defers Serb-Majority Governance Deal http://www.balkaninsight.com/en/article/kosovo-court-defers-serb-majority-governance-deal-11-10-2015

Balkan Insight, 11.11.15: Serbia Accuses Kosovo of Mocking Brussels Deal http://www.balkaninsight.com/en/article/belgrade-pristina-row-over-brussels-agreement-suspension-11-11-2015

EurActiv, 19.11.15: Riots rage in Kosovo over Serbia relations http://www.euractiv.com/sections/enlargement/riots-rage-kosovo-over-serbia-relations-319640

BBC News, 18.11.15: Kosovo protests as police target opposition MP Kurti http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-34854678

Balkan Insight, 18.11.15: Violence Flares Again in Renewed Kosovo Protests http://www.balkaninsight.com/en/article/violent-protest-reignites-in-pristina-after-court-rules-mp-detention-11-18-2015

Deutsche Welle, 18.11.15: Tear gas attacks disrupt Kosovo parliament http://dw.com/p/1H7wE

Euronews, 17.11.15: Teargas fired in Kosovo’s parliament http://www.euronews.com/2015/11/17/teargas-fired-in-kosovo-s-parliament/

BBC News, 28.11.15: Kosovo police arrest dozens of opposition members in crackdown http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-34954778

Euronews, 28.11.15: Kosovo opposition politician arrested over parliamentary tear gas protest http://www.euronews.com/2015/11/28/kosovo-opposition-politician-arrested-over-parliamentary-tear-gas-protest/

Deutsche Welle, 24.12.15: Kosovo top court finds parts of EU-sponsored deal with Serbia unconstitutional http://dw.com/p/1HScj

Deutsche Welle, 30.11.15: Opposition MP's arrested over tear gas in Kosovo parliament http://dw.com/p/1HEwZ

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