Grenell to Thaci: revoke tariffs to achieve progress in Belgrade-Pristina talks

Tanjug/STR

American Ambassador Richard Grenell said after a meeting with Kosovo President Hashim Thaci that progress has to be made in the Belgrade-Pristina dialogue, including the revoking of the 100 percent tariffs on Serbian goods.

Grenell, the US president’s special envoy to the dialogue, met with Thaci for a working dinner in Pristina on Wednesday evening.  

Thaci wrote in an earlier Tweet that President Donald Trump’s role in reaching a final agreement is indispensable. He “stressed the urgency” of resuming the dialogue.  

“I believe that we can achieve peace, stability and a final agreement with Serbia under the leadership of President Trump and contribute to peace in the Western Balkans. Your role is crucial. Where others failed, the US succeeded,” Thaci is quoted as saying after the meeting by the KoSSev news portal which added that Grenell told reporters that they mainly discussed economic interests in cooperation which he has been advocating since he was named special envoy in October 2019.  

Thaci also said that they did not discuss local issues, including the parliamentary elections. “Grenell is charged with the normalization of relations with Serbia and is not here for local political problems… This visit has nothing to do with the agendas of local players after the elections. We will succeed under Trump’s leadership,” Thaci told the media.

KoSSev recalled that Grenell is scheduled to meet former Prime Minister, now head of the Democratic Alliance of Kosovo Isa Mustafa who has been negotiating with Vetevendosje leader Albin Kurti on the forming of a new government.  

“We want to region to develop economically. Young people need jobs. That is President Trump’s policy… You have to create jobs and economic development for the people who deserve them,” the ambassador said adding that this is impossible when there are political confrontations.   I don’t want to take part in political arguments because that takes us back. I want to look at the problems we have and move Kosovo and Serbia forward, Grenell is quoted as saying.