The bones lie to Thaci: America has not pushed the idea of correcting borders

The new American Ambassador to Kosovo, Philip Costet, has said today that the evolution of KSF in the Armed Forces is a positive step and is only natural for Kosovo as a sovereign and independent country, to have self-awareness.

In an interview for RTK, Costett, has said the United States of America considers Kosovo to be an excellent narrative of success.

We have said that it is a success story for the US, but what is most important is that it is a successful confession for the people of Kosovo. And I can tell you that in the months I spent in Washington preparing for this task, I met many people, by the government, by Congress, as well as outside the government, and I think that America's commitment to the future of Kosovo is committed to”, Costnet said. “actually, I'd say it's the area where there's complete consensus between Republicans and Democrats, between the government, administration and Congress. Everyone feels that Kosovo is a very close friend of Kosovo and that we are deeply committed to supporting Kosovo”, he added further.

Ambassador Costett has said further that there are many issues where the Embassy will continue to work very closely with Kosovars.

Economic security is critical for external investment and job creation. And we are focused on rule of law and fighting corruption, which remains a top priority for us. Then there is the matter of security. Security has many meanings and many aspects. Of course, at the top of the agenda is to support the efforts of leaders in Kosovo and in Serbia to find a way to move forward in dialogue to achieve a useless solution for both sides, which will help the prosperity and security of both governments in the future”, Costnet has said. “Also, in terms of security, we continue to work very closely with Kosovo on the issues against terrorism and combat violent extremism a series of security-related issues, he has said.

Ambassador Costett has said that Kosovo is a top priority in American foreign policy.

“actually, I would say that the current administration in Washington is more interested in supporting not only Kosovo, but also progress in the Balkan region, than I have seen for years. This is an administration that looks at long-term problems and says: we have to shake things up; we have to find a way to get ahead of”, he said.

When asked about the 100% tax on goods entering Kosovo from Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina, Costett has said that “ka less than a week since it has returned to Kosovo and at this point wants to hear from many people and take their opinions before beginning to make many big statements”.

“However, I believe, and my government believes, that this is a critical moment in the dialogue process and that it is important for Kosovo and Serbia to approach this process in the spirit of co-operation. I understand the challenges to this; I mean, I know the country's history, but, uh, approach the spirit of cooperation to find a way to move forward”, Costnett said. When we talk about dialogue in Washington, then we talk about comprehensive discussions on all issues that have divided the two countries for many years. What we need to see is the process that ends with agreements both countries benefit from. We all negotiate in our daily lives. We negotiate with our families, with our neighbours, the businesspeople negotiate are not only governments and diplomats negotiating”, Costnet has said. A thing that I think is critical for successful negotiations is that they have to be useful to both sides, so that both sides have incentives to meet their obligations, to keep the agreements moving forward. And any agreement between Kosovo and Serbia should be lasting, it should be stable, and I will say again, it has to be careless for both sides. I think sometimes people get into negotiations with the spirit: I'm going to win these negotiations; I'm going to beat the other side. And when you do, then it is very difficult for the other side to have the confidence needed to see that a negotiation applies successfully. The final point here, when we talk about implementing the agreement, the United States is deeply focused on Kosovo's future, but also on the stability of the entire Balkan region. We have every reason to want to stand by you to make sure that if governments vow something, they stick to them. We're not going to sit there clapping during the signing of a piece of paper and then move on to the next <x5...

In a comment that Kosovo's “government made this move, as I said, following its failure to enter Interpol, but the government also says this move is a reflection of Serbia's continuing obstacles to Pristina, and because Belgrade has not respected the agreements signed before”, Ambassador Costet has replied that both governments have taken steps to show they have the opportunity, that they have tools that they can use against the other side.

The two governments, frankly, have shown that we can be strong we can defend ourselves. Honestly, I'd rather watch the race that it's not who can be more difficult, but who can be more creative and progressive in trying to find ways to move forward. I think it's very common in negotiations to face obstacles, to achieve a difficult phase and for the parties to pull to their corner and think about what to do next. I know some people are worried that the dialogue process is in a difficult phase, but that's pretty common in negotiations. You move forward, then you step back, then you go ahead. Also, I think it is important that Kosovo's negotiating strategy and negotiating position reflect a wide range of political and wide range of popular thoughts. And in this respect, I'm sure we'll go back to this again, the US thinks it's important that every voice be heard in Kosovo, that members of all communities, all political parties, like women, like men, have a share in the future of their country and feel their voice being heard and respected”, Costnet said.

Ambassador Costett has said that some “people have misunderstood that the US has pushed for a border movement or exchange of” territory.

My superiors in Washington have tried to clarify that we are interested in a confidentially negotiated agreement from both sides. The US has no prejudgment for what a comprehensive agreement might involve. It may be that both sides put on a sincere trust to make a border adjustment. They might decide not to do this, and believe me that I understand deep concerns, historical reasons, why border regulation is very complicated”, Costnet said. “Srike, I want to stress that my government is not pushing for this. We don't necessarily see this as a key to dialogue. I think much of the discussion on the dialogue is focused on this. I think the discussion on the border is just one aspect of a broad range of discussions that should be held between the two countries, which should also affect economic co-operation, security, culture, education, justice, and justice, especially a broad range of issues both governments should talk about and it is important not to be caught in just one aspect of the matter of the”, Konett has said.

So we've tried to make it clear that we're not prejudiced. We are not saying that certain issues should not be discussed and that certain results are required. Serbia and Kosovo are negotiator partners. They are two sovereign, independent countries. We will always support Kosovo. To: We will support Kosovo, I don't think we will blindly agree on any ideas coming from the government in Pristina. But, we will support Kosovo in an effort to establish peace, prosperity, justice in the country and in the region”, Costnet has further said. “We don't see these goals as countering the broader goal of wanting the same things for other countries in the region. I think it's important to point out that we're willing to support the parties to come to a sustainable, useful conclusion for both sides, but we're not writing the script”, it added further.

The ambassador has said he is reluctant to suggest any deadline or deadline for dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia, but has also said he thinks time is important.

The “is important to move forward as quickly as possible and sincerely, that is because as I said before, my government is really focused on achieving progress in the region now. You have our full attention; our full support. It's an excellent opportunity, and I don't think anyone, either way, or any country's people benefit something by delaying the negotiation process. So I think the time to do something, usually, is right now”, he said.