Hill: US, EU agree developments in Kosovo put progress at risk

Tanjug/Miloš Milivojević

The US agrees with the European Union that the recent developments around relations between Kosovo and Serbia put important progress achieved in the EU-facilitated Dialogue at risk, US Ambassador Christopher Hill told N1.

In his written reply to N1, the Ambassador said that the withdrawal of Serbs from Kosovo institutions “is not a solution to the current disputes and has the potential to further escalate the tensions on the ground”.  “The United States therefore joins the EU in calling on Serbia and Kosovan Serb representatives to respect their Dialogue obligations and return to the Kosovo institutions to fulfill their duties, including in the Police, Judiciary and local administrations,” he said.

“At the same time, we again join the EU in urging Kosovan authorities to respect their own obligations without delay. This means immediately extending the process of re-registration of vehicles and suspending any punitive action against KM plate holders until the license plates issue can be resolved by the Parties under the Dialogue,” he added.

The ambassador said that this also means immediately starting negotiations to establish the Association of Serb Majority Municipalities, which is a binding legal obligation for Kosovo. “Continued failure by Kosovo to implement this obligation undermines the principle of Rule of Law and damages Kosovo’s reputation and credibility,” he said.

“We urge the parties to choose the path of dialogue and refrain from actions that would lead to violence and confrontation. The United States fully supports EU efforts to continue to facilitate negotiations. Both parties need to show they are ready to seek solutions in a constructive manner and respect their obligations made in the EU-facilitated Dialogue,” Ambassador Hill said.