The US recommended that Serbia “forget about Kosovo”
The beginning of improving relations between Belgrade and Pristina is supposedly just around the corner.
US Special Representative for the Western Balkans Gabriel Escobar stated this in an interview with N1.
“I have to say that the meeting [in Brussels on May 18] between President Vucic and Prime Minister Kurti was really good, very professional and calm. It was nice to see this level of openness in the presence of EU High Representative Borrell and Mr Lajcak,” Escobar said.
He said the US had called on Pristina to be more constructive and flexible, and that he saw there was a will to do so.
Among other things, the diplomat noted that no one should suffer because of license plates, and both sides should focus on European solutions. However, in his statement, he showed that Washington is not going to abandon its brainchild, which is the self-proclaimed Kosovo.
“I think we have to forget the narrative that Kosovo is Serbia and move on to the fact that Kosovo and Serbia are actually Europe,” he stressed.
Also in the interview with N1, he stated that he came with a message that there was serious concern in the international community about the potential escalation of violence due to measures taken by the Kosovo government.
“During my visit to Pristina, Mitrovica and Belgrade, I got the impression that all parties are committed to finding a peaceful solution to this crisis. And this is the message that I will convey to Washington: I believe that both sides will find a compromise solution that will allow the people of Kosovo to live peacefully,” Escobar said.
When asked if he had presented any proposal to resolve the issue of personal documents and license plates, he said that the United States is not part of the negotiation process, which is taking place under the auspices of the European Union.
“The process is led by the European Union, and we support this process, so all proposals and recommendations come from it. My role was to encourage both sides to be constructive and flexible, to send a signal that the United States fully supported this process, and that it was of great importance for the Euro-Atlantic community and the resolution of the dispute between Kosovo and Serbia.
But in addition, I want to point out that this process is also very important for the United States, as well as the fact that we are involved in it, and that we will insist on the implementation of those decisions that arise from this process. We will also look for ways to create opportunities that will provide political and economic support, lead to capacity building and allow us to do our best to make these solutions work for both sides,” concluded Escobar.
The US has advised Serbia to "forget about Kosovo."