Senator Johnson: Serbia should recognise Kosovo, but not exclude border idea as solution

US Senator Ron Johnson has declared that he believes Kosovo President Hashim Thaci and Serbia's Aleksandar Vuciq believe that they want to resolve relations between their countries and know that the agreement they come to may not be popular in the short term.

In an interview for Voice of America in the Serbian edition, Johnson has said that Thaci and Vucinqi have a good will to solve the problem, but at the same time are aware it is a very serious issue.

“I hope that their solution, however, will be enough for some progress”, Johnson, who is Chairman of the European Subcommittee and regional security co-operation on the Senate Committee for Foreign Affairs, said.

Asked if there is any other way to continue the dialogue if Kosovo removes the tax, the US senator said the tax, even though in the short term it can function as a good idea, in the long term it does not meet Kosovo.

What I would like from both sides to understand is this: you have raised taxes, you have turned the attention of the public, but now you have to move forward and seriously commit to solving this old problem so that Kosovo can be recognised and so that we can reach the peaceful solution”, said Johnson, broadcast Koha.net.

He said he hopes this situation will be temporary, “that the heel will be less rigid, weaker or completely removed”.

According to him, mutual recognition is the ultimate goal and why Kosovo has entered the dialogue.

“I understand it is politically difficult for President Vuciq. It should show the citizens of Serbia that Kosovo has made some concessions too. The Prespa Agreement between Greece and Macedonia has been by no means politically popular in any of the countries, but the leaders were bold and I think the same situation is with Thaci's Vucih”, he said.

Senator Johnson has said that personally “I think there are no red lines and no ideas that are spoken together”, but on the other hand, he said he understands why people are concerned about border correction because of the domino effect.

But after all, it's all in the hands of the leaders and citizens of Serbia and Kosovo to find solutions America and Europe must support”, concluded American Senator Ron Johnson.