US-cut with Kosovo: Immediately extend the deadline for plates and form association

Although for the US “the withdrawal of Kosovo Serbs from Kosovo institutions is not the solution to current disputes and has the potential to further escalate tensions on the ground”, they have urged Kosovo and Serbia to reduce tensions.

This also means the immediate start of negotiations for establishing the Association of Serb-run municipalities. The Kosovo Assembly has ratified the Brussels Agreement and the Constitutional Court of Kosovo has decided that association must be established, which makes its establishment a legal obligation for Kosovo. Kosovo's continued failure to implement this obligation violates the principle of rule of law and damages Kosovo's reputation and credibility”, the US Embassy's statement in Pristina said.

The declaration also contains the US message addressed to the Kosovo and Serb leadership.

It is the responsibility of both sides to ensure peace and stability on the ground. Actions, such as burning cars or frightening rhetoric, are unacceptable and will spur an appropriate reaction from the international community. We urge them to choose the path of dialogue and refrain from actions that would lead to violence and confrontation. The United States fully supports EU efforts to continue to facilitate negotiations. Both Kosovo and Serbia should show that they are willing to seek solutions constructively and respect their obligations made in the EU facilitated dialogue”, the Roma, among other things in this statement issued by an American Embassy spokesman in Pristina.

Full statement:

The United States agrees with the European Union that recent developments about relations between Kosovo and Serbia are serious concern and put at risk the significant progress achieved in EU-extensive dialogue.

The withdrawal of Kosovo Serbs from Kosovo institutions is not the solution to current disputes and has the potential to further escalate tensions on the ground.

All parties involved must take steps to reduce tensions and ensure peace and stability on the ground. Actions and rhetoric that increase the possibility of violence endanger innocent lives and those of international peacekeeping forces on the ground.

Therefore, the United States joins the EU by calling on representatives of Serbia and Kosovo Serbs to respect their dialogue obligations and return to Kosovo institutions to fulfil their duties, including police, judiciary and local administration.

At the same time, we again join the EU to urge Kosovo authorities to respect their obligations without delay. This means the immediate extension of the vehicle re-registering process and the suspension of any punitive action against KM license holders until the issue of license plates is resolved by parties within the dialogue.

This also means the immediate start of negotiations for establishing the Association of Serb-run municipalities. The Kosovo Assembly has ratified the Brussels Agreement and the Constitutional Court of Kosovo has decided that association must be established, which makes its establishment a legal obligation for Kosovo. Kosovo's continued failure to implement this obligation violates the principle of rule of law and damages Kosovo's reputation and credibility.

Regarding our message directed to the Kosovo and Serb leadership;

It is the responsibility of both sides to ensure peace and stability on the ground. Actions, such as burning cars or frightening rhetoric, are unacceptable and will spur an appropriate reaction from the international community.

We urge them to choose the path of dialogue and refrain from actions that would lead to violence and confrontation. The United States fully supports EU efforts to continue to facilitate negotiations. Both Kosovo and Serbia should show that they are willing to seek solutions constructively and respect their obligations made in the EU-attensive dialogue. /GazetaOnlineporter