Palmer: United States wants bilateral recognition

By stopping at Kosovo, Palmer said the United States wants to see a comprehensive solution that will serve not only countries in dialogue, but the entire region:

A comprehensive solution to normalisation of relations would have great impact on stability in the region and would promote all Western Balkan countries on their European integration path”.

The United States wants bilateral recognition, he said, countering speculation that there have been discussions on exchange of territories:

“We are focused on supporting an EU-led process to reach a comprehensive agreement leading to normalisation of relations between Serbia and Kosovo that, the ideal, would essentially have mutual recognition. Raise the idea of exchange of territories, I think, takes attention away from the central goal, which is for the parties to sit down, discuss these problems and identify the road forward to normalisation. We support this process. So I think it's out of the question and just distracting to discuss ideas like territorial exchanges. The important thing is for the parties to move forward on an agreement that brings final solution”.

Speaking to the Special Court for Kosovo, Palmer said they support the work of this court:

“Hopefully these justice institutions manage to fulfill their mission and mandate and eventually break up in the future, and justice and the legal state will be in the hands of the institutions of relevant states”.

As for developments in the region, American State Department envoy for the Western Balkans Palmer welcomed the development of elections in northern Macedonia.

For us, it is important to find a good partner in the government, to create a government that is committed to making better use of and most of the independences of NATO membership, a government that is committed to bringing northern Macedonia forward on the path to membership in the European Union, committed to implementing the Prespa Agreement and advancing peace and prosperity for all citizens of the country. Regardless of what government emerges from these discussions, if this government is committed to these goals, it will find a loyal partner in the United States”, Palmer stressed.

Speaking of recent elections in Serbia, Palmer expressed regret that the opposition saw impossible to get involved in the elections. The US official noted with concern the recent targeting of opposition politicians, media organisations and civil society in Serbia:

“We wanted to see reforms that create equal and right conditions for commitment; that enable the public in Serbia to exercise its legitimate right to choose from a number of alternatives to” ballot ballotation.

He stressed that the United States remains committed to a Euro-Atlantic future for Serbia, but added that Serbia must meet the standards for this future, including democratic reforms.

“Hopefully Belgrade and the Serbian government will continue to view the United States as partner in this process, but there is no question that they have a lot of work ahead of”, Palmer said. /Vo/Rel