O'Brien: US expects new government in Belgrade to stick to agreement with Kosovo

The United States expects Serbia's future government, which will emerge from the December 17th elections, to continue talks on normalising relations with Kosovo, as well as the path towards European integration, US Assistant Secretary of State for Europe and Eurasia James O'Brien said.

The Serbian people will vote as they please. We expect the government to adhere to the agreement it has made regarding Kosovo”, O'Brien said in an interview for the Voice of America.

He said that progress has been noted in recent months on the Kosovo issue, saying that some “some of the major conflicting issues have begun to be resolved, such as license plates, customs...”.

The American official said further progress must be made and noted that the future of the Balkans lies in the common European market and membership in the European Union.

For truly joining the common European market, both sides must resolve their differences, recognise borders and agree to co-operation. We expect them to work again starting with commitments they've already made to”, O'Brien said.

While speaking of continuing negotiations on normalising relations between Kosovo and Serbia, O'Brien said the US expects reduction of tensions in municipalities in northern Kosovo, inhabited by Serb majority.

It's an area where KFOR forces, NATO has been strengthened. And, the European mission, E ULEX has also been very active recently. Therefore, neither side has reason to cause tensions there, and that area must remain calm”, he said.

The return of Serbs to public institutions is one of the steps O'Brain cited for reducing tensions.

Kosovo Serb citizens living in that region must be welcomed back into public institutions, and that will reduce tensions. And then, frankly, both sides have a big job to do, to make sure that they continue the course of normalisation they agreed on in March, in Ohrid. So there is work to be done”, he said.

O'Brien also said the US would continue to stress how important “the outcome of this work in the coming months” is.

Their <x0 economies are now linked to the European Union and now they must implement reforms and commit to being part of that community. And as long as they do, I think tensions will be reduced and they will have a bigger accord”, he said. / REL/