2 minutes agoUS Representative to UN: Dialogue Ends With Concilatory Recognition
Periskopi(4 years ago)
(4 years ago)The United States of America has reiterated their support for dialogue between Pristina and Belgrade, which must end with mutual recognition. Ambassador Robert Wood, US alternative representative for Political Special Affairs at the UN, said the US supports Kosovo's European path, as well as all other Balkan countries [...]
At the Security Council's session on Kosovo, Wood said Kosovo and Serbia should be seriously engaged in dialogue and congratulated on reaching a consensus on the license issue.
“We need serious and urgent commitment between the parties in the EU facilitated dialogue to achieve the overall normalisation of relations between Kosovo and Serbia, with mutual recognition at the centre... The United States will remain closely engaged with him and with our European partners in supporting dialogue. Through dialogue facilitated by the EU, Serbia and Kosovo adopted an energy guide and peacefully resolved the issues of exit documents and access to their borders. We hope that a similar consensus will be reached for recognition of the” plates, the US representative said.
Ambassador Wood said the Western Balkans need stability and dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia is a key component of this, urging both countries to avoid stimulating statements.
“We strongly encourage Serbia and Kosovo to maintain low tensions by focusing on the progress of dialogue and avoiding promotional rhetoric. We call on both sides to work with the United States and European partners to implement the agreed energy guide and avoid tensions for the plates. The EU facilitated dialogue continues to be the main mechanism for hiring issues between the two neighbours, which has made UNMIK's role in the region increasingly excessive”, he said.
Finally, the United States UN representative said UNMIK has long fulfilled its mission as described in the original mandate, so it is time for this mission to close down.
“We are disappointed that the Council has not moved towards the end of UNMIK's mandate, including the development of a mission closure plan. This Council has far more urgent priorities to address and its resources are limited. We call on the Council to take steps that would allow a more productive and relevant role for the UN and Kosovo, which would facilitate normalisation of relations between Kosovo and Serbia and thus help advance stability in the Western Balkans”, Wood concluded.
The US representative said Kosovo with the help of European partners has developed and strengthened its institutions to take over many of the responsibilities that were once under UNMIK's jurisdiction, demanding that there be no six-month reportings.
