Palmer: Pauls to decide whether borders will be part of Kosovo negotiations

During a hearing at the U.S. Senate Foreign Affairs Commission, Mr. Palmer said that the United States wants to see an agreement with local authorship and that it should be inclusive.

The “what we would like to see is a stable agreement, which is owned locally, for which they can be convinced in both Serbia and Kosovo. I think it's important to underline an agreement that is inclusive, which constitutes full normalisation, which is very dimensional; it would have a component of security, a political component, an economic and trade component, it would also have a cultural component. ”

As far as borders may or may not be part of a comprehensive solution, it depends on the parties to decide, Mr. Palmer said.

Responding to concerns about the effects that could have changed borders in other parts of the region, Mr. Palmer said:

I can absolutely understand the argument of the pandora act that has caused many observers in the Balkans to ask if you change a border here what happens to a border there, where should the line be removed? I think this is a legitimate concern. And if the parties move towards discussing these issues, this is something we'll have to work on and see if this is a risk that can be managed properly. ”

Mr. Palmer said the winning political election parties in Kosovo have made it clear that they do not want to talk about the issue.

For now, said Mr. Palmer, I am working with Ambassador Green to identify the way back to negotiations.

He said Kosovo's new government should suspend tariffs on Serbian goods, while Serbia should end the campaign for the delegation of Kosovo's independence so that talks can be resumed.

Mr. Palmer named the October 6th elections in Kosovo as very important for Kosovo, while underlining that “this will be the first government without the forces that followed the former Kosovo Liberation Army... without pictures from the past. ” “This proves citizens' desire for change”, Mr. Palmer said, stressing that the new government is expected to be formed by the Vetevendosje movement and the Democratic League of Kosovo.

“Determination for the first time came first in the election. I know Mr. Kurti, but how he will be brought to the government, it is unclear”, he said, underlining that Kosovo must now form the government, elect the ministers. “I hope they will move quickly”, since there is “work to do before the parties sit at the negotiating table”, he said.

Mr. Palmer said he is working closely with Ambassador Richard Green, the US presidential envoy for peace talks between Kosovo and Serbia.

He criticised the European Union for failing to open membership negotiations with Albania and Northern Macedonia, a decision that he said “sent wrong messages to Pristina and Belgrade”.