Palmer: Normalising Kosovo-Serbia relations means mutual recognition

“If they were to recognise each other, they could resolve controversial issues as neighbours,” said Palmer for regional television N1 Sarajevo.

According to him, it is necessary for Belgrade and Pristina “to sit at a table, reach an agreement and jointly draw the way to the European future”.

Palmer said the reason for the negotiations is that both Serbia and Kosovo are trying towards Europe and that it is necessary to see what compromises are needed to achieve progress.

“An agreement is necessary to be accepted and supported by the public by both sides as the best way before”, Palmer said, adding that it is important that the agreement be “applicable, fair and sustainable”.

He also said he has a very good relationship with White House envoy Richard Green and that this is not the first time the US has appointed two special envoys to the same issue.

The US Secretary of State for the Western Balkans said the Western Balkans remained a US foreign policy priority, and that Washington wants the countries of the region to view the US and the EU as their elected “partners”.

Palmer said the US wants the Western Balkans to become part of the European countries' “famil” and to invest significant political capital there.