Biden Paper Ambassador Council: Press Serbia to remove barricades

The Ambassadors' Council, among other things, writes that despite Kosovo's efforts to calm the situation, life in northern Kosovo continues to be dangerous and uncertain.

The “those promoting the crisis within Kosovo are assisted and encouraged by the Serbian government. This poses a serious threat to Kosovo's sovereignty and citizenship, as well as to regional peace and stability”, the letter is highlighted.

Letter sent to Biden further states that “Serbia is acting as Russia's representative to the region”.

Serbia's “leadership is working from the same book of games Russia used before it began its invasion against Ukraine's independent and sovereign state in 2014. This hybrid campaign of destabilisation is directed against independence, democracy and the open nature of Kosovo and against peace and security in the” region, the letter points out.

For Belgrade's bid to deploy 1,000 troops to Kosovo, the Ambassador Council says it is an open threat that jeopardises a widespread conflict.

“Belgrade's unwarranted and untested call to send 1,000 Serb soldiers to the territory of an independent neighbouring country is not only an open threat against Kosovo's sovereignty and integrity, but risks a broader conflict in view of NATO/ KFOR as guarantor of regional security”, the letter adds.

Ambassadors on paper have said they are confused by the current approach the US has towards Serbia and say they expect it to change in holding Belgrade responsible.

“We remain confused by the continued compatibility with which the United States and the EU deal with Serbia and hope to see a review of your approach in favour of what holds Belgrade responsible. The rhetoric currently used by the Serbian leadership in Belgrade is a reminder of a past that should not be allowed to repeat itself. Screeneers used by the Milosevic regime during the years of '90s against the rest of Yugoslavia are being replayed. President Aleksandar Vucic, who served as Milosevic's minister of information, today runs a Serbian message machine leading its own fake victimisation and hate-filled propaganda against Kosovo”, said on paper.

Finally, they say how the Ambassadors' Council wants to see the implementation of agreements signed so far.

The Kosovo government is engaged in dialogue with Serbia with full dedication and commitment. We want to see the implementation of agreements signed so far as a sign of goodwill and commitment to continued efforts to achieve normalisation between the two countries that would boost stability and co-operation throughout the region.

The Council of Albanian Ambassadors supports this process and hopes it will be finalised with mutual diplomatic recognition between Serbia and Kosovo as two independent and sovereign neighbouring states. Despite our current concerns for Serbian politics, we hope that both countries will eventually be admitted to the European Union and NATO. We welcome your administration's commitment to further EU facilitated dialogue” is written on paper.

At the end of the letter, the Ambassadors' Council has asked Beden for his attention to the situation in northern Kosovo and to pressure Serbia to remove the barricades.

Therefore, Mr. President, we ask your attention to the developing situation, to create a safe environment by pressuring Serbia and its allies north of Kosovo to remove all obstacles and blockades and allow a rapid return to normal. Conditions that would facilitate progress in facilitated dialogue by the EU”, The letter ends.