The announced parliamentary elections in Serbia will affect the rhythm of high-level political discussions within the Kosovo-Serbia talks, but not the technical side.

Dren Zeka, adviser to minister Edita Tahiri, said that he does not expect the technical part of the dialogue to be affected by the upcoming parliamentary elections in Serbia.

“There have been multiple elections in Kosovo and Serbia since the beginning of the dialogue. Talks have continued to take place at the technical expert level for implementation of the deal, while elections only affect the political part of the dialogue,” said Zeka.

Zeka said there is progress on the implementation of the telecom deal reached on August 25, 2015.

“We believe that we have fulfilled all our obligations for the application of the deal and have made it clear to the EU that Kosovo’s state calling code has to be attained as soon as possible,” he said.

According to the deal signed in Brussels, Kosovo will be granted the +383 calling code, though the application to the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) is to be handed in by Austria.

Once the deal is implemented, landline calls between Kosovo and Serbia will no longer be considered local calls.

As for Prishtina’s request to include the matter of the border demarcation in this year’s  Kosovo-Serbia talks, Zeka said that it is an international obligation that benefits both countries if discussed.

“In 2014, we have delivered a list of topics of interest to be raised at the Kosovo-Serbia talks. We have included the issue of the border demarcation between the two countries because we consider it an international obligation and a fulfillment of EU standards. Having a defined border is important for both countries,” Zeka said.