Hill: US insists that Association be formed

US Ambassador to Serbia Christopher Hill said today that the US are absolutely committed to full implementation of what has been agreed on in the Brussels Agreement, including the formation of the Serb majority municipalities.

We really insist that what is agreed on should be implemented, so we are talking about the original Brussels agreement. I'm not saying the French-German deal is not in conflict with the Brussels agreement. They're definitely connected. The concept that the previous agreement should be implemented, part of the Franco-German agreement”, Hill said.

When asked about the Washington Agreement, Hill replied that he did not want to overlook it and that it was important, because he was committed to ensuring that Belgrade and Pristina could resolve some issues that directly affect people's lives.

The issue is, Hill stressed, to implement the solutions already agreed on in the Brussels Agreement.

I think we should go back to the fundamental issue, which is the future of the Serb community in Kosovo. They have lived there for centuries and must know what their future is. So the fundamental question is to deal with what comes out of the deal. The Brussels Agreement, which is the Association, should absolutely be implemented if we expect someone to have confidence in future agreements”, the US ambassador said.

In terms of forming association and implementing the Franco-German agreement, Hill believes the deadlines mentioned in the media are reasonable and real and that association can be formed by summer and the Franco-German proposal. can be applied by the end of the year.

I think people should work every day to find a solution. I think it's realistic to propose that this is happening this year, so I think this year is significant, I think the proposal is positive and can be implemented,” he said.

He stressed that the US absolutely supports what Europeans have done, especially the Franco-German proposal.

“We are talking about a solution for Serbia, the Balkans and Europe. The US has long-term interests on the continent and in this region. I think what we need to do is talk to Europeans about it, Hill said.

He points out that it is important for things to calm down, not to create tensions, and to prevent people who want to create them.

I haven't been here for 20 years, but I've been to other countries, including North Korea. So if you are disappointed with the situation in Serbia, look at North Korea and you will see that the situation in the Balkans is not so bad”, Hill said.

He adds that it is clear to him that what worries people in Serbia is who will guarantee signed agreements, because the Brussels agreement was signed in 2013, but has not been implemented, even though it has spent so much time.

“We want to be part of the process and guarantees for implementation of the outcome of the agreement. If you want to invest in any country, you want it to be in a safe place and you won't have political problems. So it's all part of a big problem”, he concluded.