Escobar says the public will also be involved in discussions of the Franco-German plan

After two days, the implementation of Kosovo's penalty speech measures begins for drivers who carry illegal license plates. How does the U.S. State Department view this situation?

Escobar: We hope both sides reach an agreement in the coming days, with the support of the EU Special Emissar. We continue to actively support these efforts.

The Serbian list has officially declared that it will not participate in early local elections in the four municipalities in the country's north. How should Kosovo behave in this situation?

Escobar: We support Kosovo's diverse, comprehensive, multiethnic democracy, as well as free, fair and legitimate elections. We are aware of the community's concerns that conditions for successful elections may not exist. But it is important that the Government of Kosovo is responsible for these concerns. Elections must be held in a democratic spirit, without political sway.

Two of the main requirements for Serbs to return to Kosovo institutions are postponing the decision on license plates and establishing association. What is your message to Kosovo?

Escobar: The United States of America agrees with the European Union, that recent developments 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 a solution to current disputes and it is the potential to further escalate tensions on the ground.

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

Both Kosovo and Serbia must demonstrate maximum flexibility and reach an agreement in the coming days to calm the situation. Then the parties must double their commitments in the dialogue, including the implementation of agreements they have already signed, meaning the launch of negotiations to establish the Association of Serb Major communities.

The parties have been handed over a French-German or European plan. Can you give us more details? What's in this two-page plan?

Escobar: Progress towards normalising Serbia-Kosovo relations through EU facilitated dialogue is very important for regional stability and European stability, at a time when we are facing Russia's aggression in Ukraine and the crisis of shocks that Putin's brutal and unwarranted conquest has caused throughout Europe. Details of the proposal are being discussed within the EU-led dialogue. We strongly support him: I think that after discussions between the two governments, greater public involvement begins.

I have a full partnership with my EU counterparts. We're fully engaged through Quinn's places. Because European integration is the aspirations of both countries (Kosovo and Serbia v.j), this process should naturally be led by the EU. The United States is closely committed to the EU, with both sides and European partners in full support of this process. This commitment is politically, financially, through capacity building and any other mechanism we have to ensure the final outcome, which creates long-term stability for the region. The United States has been actively engaged in supporting EU efforts to manage the current situation. \ RTK\