8 minutes agoCNN reveals details of what is expected to happen at Kosovo-Serbia summit in Washington
Periskopi(6 years ago)
(6 years ago)US President Donald Trump's administration will host Kosovo Prime Minister Avdullah Hotin and Serbian President Aleksandar Vuciq in Washington, as it will try to further the peace process following stalled efforts due to disputes between the two sides, as well as delays caused by the pandemic of [...]
US President Donald Trump's administration will host Kosovo Prime Minister Avdullah Hotin and Serbian President Aleksandar Vuciq in Washington, as it will try to advance the peace process following stalled efforts due to disputes between the two sides, as well as delays caused by the pandemia and corruption.
CNN has learned from an adviser to President Trump that the talks will focus on job creation and the hope of creating a moment towards establishing air, railway and road ties between the two capitals, Pristina and Belgrade.
A meeting at the White House between the two sides in June, with Trump's special envoy, Richard Green, failed after a war crimes indictment announced for Kosovo President Hashim Thaci.
Efforts to hold face - to - face meetings were also hampered by travel restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Green, former US Ambassador to Germany and former acting director of National Intelligence, will participate in these talks, along with National Security Adviser Robert O'Brien and other senior administration officials. It is not yet clear whether Trump will personally participate in the discussions.
The senior adviser told reporters that Grenelli is not receiving a salary for his commitment, which he continues to lead even after being appointed special adviser to the Republican National Committee.
The senior official said the Trump administration is working closely with its European Union counterparts, who are also involved in similar reconciliation talks with Serbian and Kosovo leaders.
President Trump has sent letters to the leaders of Serbia and Kosovo, urging them to reach a “historic agreement” for a cross-border “agreement focusing mainly on “mutual recognition”.
The demand is a fierce battle for Serbia, which refuses recognition, leaving Kosovo outside the United Nations and most international organisations.
While White House officials refused to make direct comparisons between efforts to normalise relations between Kosovo and Serbia and the current normalisation efforts between Israel and the United Arab Emirates. The senior official said the White House hopes to see similar results. Officials refused to offer a specific deadline for this ambitious venture, which comes just two months before the presidential elections.
