Senator Saheen tells of talks with Kurti and Vucinqiqi EU will forever wait for Kosovo and Serbia

The Democrat Senator from New Hampshire points out to Voice of America that Congress has enough capacity to pay attention to the region, despite crises in the Middle East and Ukraine and the fact that America is entering an election year.

Speaking of the growing security challenges in the region, Shaheen said Kosovo and Serbia have urged them to return to dialogue.

There are two challenges. One is the current issue between Kosovo and Serbia. We know about the Kosovo invasion that took place on 24 September, when a Kosovo police officer and three Serbs were killed. There is real concern about that limit and how to resolve those issues in the future. I have had the opportunity to meet with Prime Minister Albin Kurti and President Vjosa Osmani to express my concern about everything that happened and express my condolences. I have also called on Prime Minister Kurti to return to the negotiating table and resolve issues with Serbia. I have had the opportunity to speak on the phone with Serbia's president, Aleksandar Vuciq, to express my concern and appeal to him to do the same thing to the negotiations, because normalising relations between the two countries is the only way to resolve these case” has stressed the senator.

She said the chance for the EU-mediated dialogue may not be forever, given the challenges Europe faces, such as the war in Ukraine and the challenges in the Middle East.

“I think it might run out of time for the opportunity now given to them. I know that Kosovo and Serbia have said it is in their interest to join the European Union and become part of the Atlantic Alliance because of the economic opportunities that this opens, and frankly, even security opportunities. We know that (European Commission President) Ursula von der Leyeen was in the region this week and that the topic of discussion was economic incentives for countries implementing reforms that draw them close to the EU. This chance may not be forever if we take into account the challenges facing Europe from the war in Ukraine and the Russian invasion of that country, the challenges in the Middle East and possible conflicts in the world. The EU is trying to help countries that do not want to be autocratic, who do not want to support a dictator like Vladimir Putin. He tries to help them advance to democracy. But I don't think this opportunity will exist forever. And I hope Serbia and Kosovo will be able to reach an agreement and find a way to live together. I understand they may not know each other, but to at least make sure that their citizens do not live in conflict, with fear, they should not worry, I think it is very important” has said further.

Voice of America: The EU demands from Serbia de facto recognition of Kosovo, while from Kosovo to form a Serb majority municipality. How can both parties be encouraged, or perhaps even pressured to do so?

Shaheen: Well, I think that's why it's important that Ursula von der Leenen was there, that Senator Welch and I traveled there to express our concern about everything that's happening, why it's important that they hear from the US and the EU that this is a chance for them and that they have to work to overcome differences. The proposal before them is what they agreed on, under the Ohrid Agreement. And I hope they're thinking about how to get her back. Those responsible for the events of September 24 (in Banjska) must answer. And we have to make sure this never happens again. We must have a safe line. It is not in anyone's interest to have such conflicts on the border between Serbia and Kosovo.