U.S. Secretary: Border correction is not the solution to problems between Kosovo, Serbia

The idea of changing borders between Kosovo and Serbia is not the solution of the 21st century says in an interview for Radio Free Europe, former US Assistant Secretary of State for European Affairs Thomas County.

According to him, reaching an agreement between the two countries should be taken by relevant leaders and governments, and that this is not a decision to which the United States has vetoes.

So it's not a decision in which the United States has veto. However, many Balkan observers are concerned about what territorial restoration between Kosovo and Serbia could have some negative consequences. That could lead to discussions on whether borders should be based on ethnic lines in countries like Northern Macedonia and Bosnia and Herzegovina, and that would be the formula for restoring ethnic conflicts and destabilising the region. So, I think re-advancing the borders between Kosovo and Serbia is not the 21st century response to the problems they have between them”, Countymann said.

Speaking about the question of dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia, Countrymann has stressed that he does not know how to get out of this blockade.

He has added that leaders of both countries are making very public statements, looking towards future elections and internal challenges rather than focusing on negotiating difficult issues between Kosovo and Serbia.

“I am convinced that there is potentially a way forward where both leaders would work on some kind of idea that would push forward to ensure that both Kosovo and Serbia are powerful multiethnic societies. But how to overcome this political stalemate within both countries right now, I haven't answered” here, said Countrymann.

The US secretary has also talked about the tax issue imposed by the Government of Kosovo, about products from Serbia and Bosnia.
Thomas County shot that this is not a useful move by the Government of Kosovo.

“I think it is not a constructive move by the Government of Kosovo to set tariffs on imports of Serbia and Bosnia. This does not create conditions for a significant dialogue between Pristina and Belgrade. I hope we will see a return of dialogue instead of actions against each other”, said Countryman.

In this interview, former responsibility for the Balkans at the State Department, now director of the Amosion Board for Arms Control, Thomas Countrymann, also speaks of the danger some Balkan leaders pose to their citizens and the possibility of a new conflict in the region. /Rel