Developments in the North: US Embassy Messages in Pristina, Belgrade Over Last 24 Hours

Over the past 24 hours, the US Embassy in Pristina and Belgrade have reacted to recent developments in northern Kosovo. Here, you have them summed up, both reactions whose messages are almost similar.

AMBASADA MEAZAH U.S.A. IN PARENTS:

The United States of America estimates that recent developments about relations between Kosovo and Serbia are disturbing and at risk of the significant progress achieved in the EU-re lighted dialogue, a spokesperson for the American Embassy in Pristina has told Kosovo.

According to him, 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 administrations.

The American spokesman in Pristina has also indicated that the US is responsible for both sides to ensure peace and stability on the ground. While stressing that the United States once again demands that the implementation of the Targa decision and the formation of association of Serb majority municipalities.

“Actions, such as burning cars or frightening rhetoric, are unacceptable and will spur a proper response from the international community... All 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”, he has said.

The full answer for Kosovo Preress, Pryscopi conveys:

As for recent developments in relations between Kosovo and Serbia:

The United States agrees with the European Union that recent developments about relations between Kosovo and Serbia are disturbing and put at risk the significant progress achieved in the EU-launched 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 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 reregistering process and the suspension of any punitive action against KM license holders until the issue of license plates is resolved by parties within 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 the ESM should be established, which makes the establishment of association 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 to the Kosovo and Serbian 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 a proper response 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.

US Embassy in Belgrade messages:

The United States agrees with the European Union that recent events in relations between Kosovo and Serbia put at risk the significant progress made in the EU-brokered dialogue, American Ambassador to Serbia Christopher Hill said.

“The withdrawal of Serbs from Kosovo institutions is not a solution to current disputes and has the potential to further escalate tensions on the ground. Therefore, the United States joins the EU by calling on representatives of Serbia and Kosovo Serbs to respect their commitments from dialogue and to return their duties to Kosovo institutions, including police, judiciary and local administration”, Hill told N1.

He said the US joins the EU by calling on Kosovo authorities to respect their obligations without delay, which means that the process of re-registering vehicles should be immediately extended and any punitive measures against KM license owners to the parties resolve the issue of license plates within dialogue should be suspended.

That includes the immediate start of negotiations for the founding of the Serb municipal community, which is a binding 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”, Hill said.

He urged both sides 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 mediating negotiations. Both sides should show that they are willing to seek solutions constructively and respect commitments made in the EU-brokered dialogue” said Hill. /Periscope