US Ambassador urges Kosovo to urgently start negotiations on CMS

Američka ambasada u Berlinu

US Ambassador to Kosovo Jeffrey Hovenier called on the Kosovo Government to urgently commence negotiations on the formation of the Community of Serb Municipalities and to delay for ten months the implementation of the decision on replacing Serbia-issued license plates with Republic of Kosovo (RKS) plates.

The Proposal for the Community of Serb Municipalities has to be on the table, Hovenier told media in Pristina, adding that he has asked the Kosovo Government not to fine drivers of vehicles with Serbian license plates, Radio Free Europe reported.

The US Ambassador’s statement comes five says after Kosovo Serb representatives’ withdrawal from Kosovo institutions, including the Parliament and Government.

We believe that the withdrawal of Kosovo Serbs from Kosovo’s institutions is not a solution for the current disputes and we are concerned that this has the potential to further raise tensions on the ground, said Hovenier.

We are concerned about the current situation and the possibility of escalation, possible violence and about the impact of the current situation on the functioning of the state of Kosovo, said the Ambassador, adding that all sides should reduce tensions.

Hovenier confirmed that he has been in close communication with the Kosovo Government over the past few days but stressed that he cannot confirm that the Government has taken the measures that he has requested.