Congressman Engel commends Prime Minister Hoti, attacks Serbian President Vuciq

Engel said it is good to discuss and link economic agreements between Kosovo and Serbia, however, the problem between these states, Engel sees as a political problem that requires political solutions.

Serbian President Vucic, who is taking his country away from the North Atlantic Pact community and closer to Russia, has rejected putting mutual recognition on the table. In fact, the Serbian delegation says it is coming to talks only to discuss economic issues. While there is nothing negative about increasing trade and economic development, it is a political conflict that requires a political solution”, Engel has said.

Such agreements, according to Albanian friend Elliot Engel, should have occurred now and how long. On the other hand, he says the final solution to the conflict should be mutual recognition between Kosovo and Serbia.

“The restoration of dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia this week in Washington, DC is a positive development. The conflict between the two countries has lasted a long time and has damaged the lives of many. The conflict has halted the region's development and hampered integration into Europe. This has had to happen now and how long to end the dispute once and for all”, Engel said.

A final solution to the conflict should include some key principles: It should lead to mutual recognition of Kosovo and Serbia. It must pave the way for Kosovo and Serbia to enter all structures of the North Atlantic Pact, including the European Union and NATO. And, it must give Kosovo full membership in the United Nations and other important international organisations so that it can move forward as any other country would, says Engel.

Congressman Engel also remembers the victims of war, where, according to him, justice must prevail and for perpetrators to take responsibility so that people of these states can embrace the future.

Moreover, there are still opportunities for justice for victims of ethnic cleansing, rape and other war crimes, including American citizens by Bytyci brothers, committed more than two decades ago by the Milosevic Government, in which President Vucic was minister. There must be responsibility for the perpetrators so people in both countries can embrace the future”, Engel said.

“I am encouraged that the chief of the Kosovo delegation in the talks, Prime Minister Avdullah Hoti, has set a clear and applicable goal for negotiations: “Achieving an agreement for mutual recognition, without jeopardising Kosovo's territorial integrity”. Kosovo deserves a normal future where its people can travel freely and stand side by side with those of democracies in the world, including the United States”, Engel has said.

All in the end, Congressman Engel hopes to solve the political problem between these two countries.

After more than two decades of hostility, I hope that both sides will engage constructively with each other and that the United States will act as an honest and honest mediator to help the nations embrace dialogue and achieve peace”, Engel added.