Does the US have red lines for the exchange of Kosovo-Serbia territory? Costett: No need to worry about it now

US Ambassador to Kosovo Philip Costet, in an exclusive interview for Blic newspaper, has talked about the possibility of territorial exchange between Kosovo and Serbia. Kostett said that for now, there is no need to worry Kosovars that they could be endangered on the part of such an idea. The US ambassador stresses that at the time of power in the US, it was Donald Trump's administration, the territorial exchange between Kosovo and Serbia was a very hot topic, explaining why the American government did not strongly oppose this idea.

Blic newspaper: Mr. Ambassador, I'm going to ask you another question about American dialogue and politics and then move on to our choices. I want to ask you directly about a long-standing and controversial issue in Kosovo, and this concerns American policy towards dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia. One issue that has been extended long and is still discussed concerns the exchange of territory as possible agreement between Kosovo and Serbia. Can you tell us the opinion of the United States? Do the United States have red lines for exchanging territory as part of the agreement between Kosovo and Serbia?

Ambassador Costet: While the government administration in power was, of course, this was a very hot issue and what we said then was that the United States did not actively follow the exchange of territory and we said that if the people, not only the government, but the people of Kosovo and Serbia reach comprehensive agreements involving any border regulation, we would not refuse it immediately. Some people have interpreted that this means that we supported the exchange of territory. We didn't support him and the Trump administration has said that over and over again. I want to remind you that when Mr. Hoti and President Vuciq went to Washington, there were people who feared that Americans would present a willing case with a plan that would somehow involve exchange of territory. And we said this wasn't going to happen and it didn't happen. We have repeatedly said, I have repeatedly said that the United States will not try to push ahead an unacceptable agreement for the people of Kosovo. And if the Trump administration didn't do that, no one should think that the Biden administration would force something on the people of Kosovo.

Blic newspaper: So, do we have red lines for this, or do we not?

Ambassador Costet: I'm trying to explain more clearly. I've said it before, I see no reason to expect that there will be exchange of territory because it clearly seems unacceptable to the people of Kosovo. And people keep asking about it and I think there are more relevant issues...

Blic newspaper: Yeah, people are interested in that.

Ambassador Costet: Yes, but there are more relevant issues to think about about how to improve relations between Kosovo and Serbia, and I simply don't see the exchange of territory as disturbing issues now. I understand why it was a matter in the past, but I think there's no need to worry about it now.