4 minutes agoDonfried: Kosovo, Serbia must make difficult decisions
Periskopi(3 years ago)
(3 years ago)US Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs Karen Donfried until she spoke of Russia's war in Ukraine, she also cited the extent of the effects of war and the Balkans. She says the US and the European Union are not trying to impose a solution to the situation of relations between Kosovo and Serbia, but [...]
Donfried said the US and the EU are trying to be a force that brings good changes to Kosovo and Serbia.
If I had been asked before I took this post, whether I thought Russia would take a large-scale attack on Ukraine, my answer would be no, I don't think this would happen. I would have made a mistake. So it's hard to predict the future.
So for the Western Balkan countries, there is now an opportunity to move forward on the path to Euro-Atlantic integration. This opportunity is there for Serbia and Kosovo. Serbia and Kosovo are sovereign countries. The United States and the EU cannot impose decisions or solutions. We are trying to be a force that brings good changes“, she said in an interview for the Voice of America.
In addition, Donfreed said there are absolutely difficult decisions to make both countries, but added that the United States will be there to support.
„I deeply believe Kosovo citizens and citizens of Serbia see their future as full members of the Euro-Atlantic community. The European Union has been feeding and promoting a dialogue for years. The United States is supporting this dialogue because we believe it is the way for Kosovo and Serbia to become full members of the Euro-Atlantic community. Are there difficult decisions Kosovo and Serbia must make? Absolutely. Will we be there to support them as they make these difficult decisions? Of course “
However, Donfreed stresses that although the EU FBAs will be there, Kosovo and Serbia are the two countries that have to do the hard work.
We know that even Albania will be there to help these countries make these difficult decisions. But we can't force them. They should want that future and be willing to make decisions that may seem painful if it is the future they want. I repeat, we will be beside them, but we can only help and try to secure that future. Kosovo and Serbia are the ones that have to do the hard work“.
