US Ambassador to Kosovo and Belgrade: Pause tax, pave way for dialogue and agreement

The two ambassadors of the United States, Philip Kosnett and Kyle Sooctt, have come out with a common stance that 2019 should be the year of the agreement between Kosovo and Serbia.

According to them, Kosovo must make a decision to suspend the tax, in order to unblock dialogue, while Serbia disrupts its destructive approach to Kosovo.

Scott's Cosnets say that if that happens, then there might be hope that a historic agreement for normalising the reports will be reached in 2019.

They say the United States will not specify what the agreement will be, and will not interfere with what the agreement will look like, specifying that any agreement reached between the two countries should contribute to the stability of the region and stem from the will of the people.

And to reach this agreement, they say that both Kosovo and Serbia will have the support of the United States of America, which will also be guarantees that any agreement that will be implemented by both sides will be implemented.

Costnet's Scott points out that if this case is missed for reaching a final and historic agreement, it will be the loss of a historic opportunity.

Full opinion:

The courage and creativity of leaders in Athens and Skopje to resolve the decades-long disagreement would have to inspire everyone in the region. As US ambassadors to Belgrade and Pristina, we are convinced that the prudent and visionary political leadership can lead to a comprehensive agreement between Serbia and Kosovo, which essentially has mutual recognition. This achieved would lay the foundation for a more peaceful and prosperous future for all peoples in this region.

For this reason today we call: it is time for Kosovo to suspend the tax, for Serbia to respond constructively, to end provocations on both sides, for Belgrade and Pristina to return to the European Union-led dialogue and for both sides to embrace courageous peace. If you do, we are optimistic that you can reach a historic agreement on normalisation in 2019.

You have the full support of the United States of America and we will do everything we can to help you succeed and build the trust needed to build and implement a comprehensive agreement. Some time ago, President Trump wrote to the leaders of Serbia and Kosovo to encourage both countries to use this moment and show political guidance in making decisions that take into account the interests of both countries”. President Trump added: “would be extremely sad if this unique opportunity for peace, security and economic growth is not exploited”. President Trump was equally clear in his speech during the UN General Assembly: Responsible leaders have the duty of serving their citizens.

We believe an agreement is possible and hope to celebrate with you, just as we celebrate the courage of the Greek and Macedonian leaders. In fact, President Trump has already invited President Vuciq and President Thaci to the White House to mark this achieved once it happens. The United States does not appoint and will not specify what the solution should look like, but believe it must be applicable in Kosovo and Serbia and should contribute to the long-term stability of the region. It belongs to their leaders and teams to resume EU-led negotiations to investigate what is possible and to communicate openly with their citizens to ensure that the negotiations reflect the will of the people and help you overcome anxiety and doubt.

We realize that this is not easy. We are not blind to the historical events and constant tensions that have led to distrust and a serious misunderstanding. For this reason, any agreement should be broad and convenient to the sides, to give the two countries -- Kosovo and Serbia -- its success. That is why the United States of America is committed to working with Serbia and Kosovo to ensure that both sides effectively build and implement a lasting agreement. Recent steps taken by both Belgrade and Pristina that raise tensions must stop if there is any hope of ensuring peace, prosperity and lasting justice in the region. If both sides fail to seize this opportunity, you risk losing your best chance in one generation.

The status quo has caused a halt to economic and political progress in both countries, and has caused professionals and young people to seek their future in more stable countries with more dynamic economies. Organised crime, corruption and other extremist elements are taking root instead, threatening security in the region and Europe.

No country benefits from constant obstructionism and delays. Citizens of Serbia and Kosovo deserve futures where children and children know peace and prosperity, not conflict and economic difficulties.

A compromise agreement, stable and applicable, is in the interest of the two countries. The stability and long-term prosperity of Kosovo and Serbia depend on the return to the EU-led dialogue and the courage to overcome the past and build a common future together. If Serbia and Kosovo are ready to leave on this migration, the United States of America will stand by your side at every step of the road.