Vucic and Bernabic talk to Donfried about Kosovo-Serbia dialogue

Vucic and Donfried also discussed Belgrade’s stance on the situation in Ukraine, but also on the diversification of Serbia’s energy resources in the Western Balkans region.

According to the announcement, Vucic stressed that the “Open Balkans” initiative is an example of successful regional co-operation, adding that this initiative is the best way to prepare the countries of the region for membership in the European Union.

The Open Balkans Initiative was initiated in October 2019 by the leaders of Serbia, Albania and northern Macedonia and is said to aim to facilitate the movement of people, goods and capital between the three countries.

During the meeting, Vucic also said that Serbia has increased exports to the United States by 100 percent compared to 2010, adding that he welcomes the presence of American companies in his country.

Meanwhile, regarding the Kosovo-Serbia dialogue, Vucic said that Serbia has fulfilled its commitments, but the Kosovo authorities have not done so.

“Even nine years after the reaching of the Brussels Agreement, the establishment of the Association of Serb-majority municipalities has not been initiated,” he said.

The dialogue for the normalization of relations between Kosovo and Serbia started in 2011. This process is mediated by the EU.

Meanwhile, US Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs Karen Donfried said that the US is committed to the entire Western Balkans region joining the EU and reiterated that this is one of the priorities of US foreign policy for this region.

She also welcomed the “Open Balkans” initiative and Serbia’s intention to focus on economic issues of regional co-operation.

Donfried also met with Serbian Prime Minister Ana Bernabic.

At the meeting, Bernabic said that Serbia is committed to continue reforms in the field of rule of law and according to her an important part of the work has been done with the adoption of constitutional amendments in January this year, which according to her, are a precondition for strengthening of the independence of prosecutors judges.

Serbia held a referendum on constitutional changes in January. Under the approved amendments, judges and prosecutors will not be elected by the Serbian Parliament, as has been the case so far, but by a High Judicial and Prosecutorial Council.

According to the announcement of the Serbian Government, in a meeting with Donfried, Bernabic emphasized the cooperation and good communication with KFOR, which according to her, are important for Serbs living in Kosovo.

Donfried visited Serbia after visiting Kosovo the day before.

According to an earlier US State Department statement, it will call on Serbia to make integration reforms and promote regional stability and prosperity. The statement also reiterated the position that Serbia and Kosovo should resume the EU-led dialogue.

The DASH Special Envoy for the Western Balkans, Gabriel Escobar, and the US Ambassador to Belgrade, Christopher Hill, also attended the meetings. Meanwhile, from the Serbian side were present the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Nikola Selakovi dhe and the Director of the Office for Kosovo in the Serbian Government, Petar Petkovi..

The US Embassy in Belgrade said via Twitter that the partnership with Serbia is very important for Washington.

“Karen Donfried’s visit is another confirmation of the desire to build stronger ties between Serbia and the United States,” the post said.

During her visit to Pristina, where she met with Kosovo President Vjosa Osmani and Prime Minister Albin Kurti, Donfried called on Pristina and Belgrade to engage in EU-mediated dialogue, as she said the status quo was unstable. .

“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,” she said after meeting with Kurti.

Donfried’s visit to Kosovo and Serbia comes days after the visit of a delegation of US senators, who stayed in Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Kosovo. In Serbia, senators Jeanne Shaheen, Chris Murphy and Thom Tillis demanded that Belgrade impose sanctions on Russia over its occupation of Ukraine, in Bosnia they warned against China’s influence in the Balkans, and during a visit to Kosovo, senators voiced their support. for the Euro-Atlantic aspirations of the state.

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