“Russia is winning” / Escobar and Donfried, clear American messages for the Kosovo-Serbia dialogue

US Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs Karen Donfried, who was accompanied by US Envoy to the Western Balkans Gabriel Escobar, gave a clear message during her visit to Pristina. “The status quo is unstable,” therefore Kosovo and Serbia must urgently engage in the European Union-mediated dialogue in Brussels, said the senior US official, who kicked off the Balkan tour with a visit to Kosovo.

“We give priority to supporting the dialogue process, mediated by the European Union, and to help Kosovo to normalize relations with Serbia, focusing on mutual recognition. The status quo is volatile. Not only does it hinder the European future of Kosovo and Serbia, but it benefits the Kremlin. “Russia wants to destroy any unity and democratic consolidation in the Western Balkans,” Donfried said.

Donfried: A powerful Balkans threat to Russian influence

US Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs Karen Donfried said she was visiting the Western Balkans at a challenging time, referring to Russia’s unprovoked war in Ukraine. According to Donfried, the instability of the status quo is linked to Russia’s intentions in the Balkans. Russia “wants to ensure that the neighboring Balkan countries do not integrate into European and Euro-Atlantic institutions.” “She {Russia} believes that a stronger, more prosperous and democratic Balkans will be a threat to its influence. The best way to counter the Kremlin’s efforts to destabilize the region is simple, Kosovo and Serbia must come together and urgently re-engage in EU-facilitated dialogue, which has strong US support. “, said Donfried, after the meeting he held with the Prime Minister of Kosovo, Albin Kurti.

The senior US official added that “the US and its allies are committed to stability in the Western Balkans”, emphasizing that “the NATO mission, KFOR is in Kosovo and takes care of peace and stability.” “Many Kosovars are concerned about Kosovo’s security. I want to assure you that the commitment of the US and its allies remains strong. KFOR, which is NATO’s largest landing, is a major and visible manifestation of our continued commitment to Kosovo’s security and stability. “The United States is proud that Kosovo can be called its partner,” said Karen Donfried.

Kurti: Dialogue must be principled and respect the equality of the parties

After the meeting, Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti said his government “is committed, creative and constructive in dialogue with Serbia.” “It should be a principled dialogue that respects the equality of the parties in the talks and together with Mrs. “Donfreid agreed that at the center of the agreement should be mutual recognition,” said Prime Minister Kurti. According to him, “in order to maintain peace and long-term stability, it is necessary for the countries of the Western Balkans to join the European Union and NATO.”

Osmani: Kosovo is and continues to be a constructive party in the dialogue

The President of Kosovo, Vjosa Osmani, expressed the same line after the meeting with the senior American official. Osmani said that “he talked with the American official about the urgency and the need for progress in the dialogue”, although he stressed that “Kosovo’s relations with international allies should not be determined by the dialogue with Serbia”.

“I reiterated that Kosovo is and continues to be a constructive party in the dialogue and that we remain committed to this process that has mutual recognition at the center, and it will benefit our citizens,” said President Osmani. According to her, during the talks with the senior US official, Osmani said that during the discussions he also mentioned “the disappointment for the non-implementation of the agreements signed in Brussels and Serbia’s refusal to dismantle the illegal structures, which continue to intimidate Kosovo Serbs and which are led by individuals sanctioned by the US ”. Late last year, the US Treasury Department sanctioned seven Kosovo Serbs for involvement in organized crime and corruption activities.

Karen Donfried will pay a visit to the Western Balkans from April 25 to 29. She is accompanied by the US envoy to the Western Balkans, Gabriel Escobar, and other US officials. After Kosovo, she visits Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Northern Macedonia, Albania and Montenegro. Last week, a delegation of US senators, Jeanne Shaheen, Chris Murphy and Thom Tillis, visited Kosovo. They said in Pristina that “the United States supports Kosovo’s aspirations to join NATO and the European Union” / DW

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