Escobar: I expect this government to do, because we need progress immediately.

From opinion it was understood as an Escobar sting against the current government of Kosovo.

However, he has stated that he is only answering the question “what if Chief Prime Minister Kurti does not accept it?

No. That was the answer to a question when people asked me: What if Prime Minister Kurti doesn't accept it? But, in fact, it is a duty that has taken, not a man or a party, but an international body that is the Kosovo government”, has declared Escobar in an interview for RTV 21.

Escobar said he intended to ask who will be in charge of the government when the association becomes.

So the question is who will be in charge when it happens? Of course I expect it will be this government because we need progress right away, but the fact is that for us you are members of the Euro-Atlantic community you are not part of the formal structures, but your signature, the signing of your previous leaders, is worth it for us, it would have to be useful for us and it would have to be useful for you too”, he stated.

So the question is how to get there knowing that this is the fact that there's going to be an Association”, Escobar added.

RTV21: Mr. Escobar, thank you so much for sharing time for RTV21.

DAS Escobar: Thank you.

RTV21: How were your meetings? Can you share a few moments from talks in Belgrade and Pristina.

DAS Escobar: Yeah. In both states, in both capitals, I had a series of meetings not only with government leaders but with opposition leaders as well as with other important figures. What I can understand from all of this is that both sides understand the importance of tomorrow. Both sides understand that this possible agreement can unblock many possibilities. So, I'm a little optimistic.

RTV21: So it's not about convincing them?

DAS Escobar: It's about finalising the annex and moving forward with implementation.

RTV21: You trust both sides?

DAS Escobar: It is not a matter of faith, but of legally binding obligations.

RTV21: Mr. Escobar what are your expectations from the meeting in Ohrid. Is reaching the agreement in Ohrid more about optimism or realism?

DAS Escobar: I absolutely think it's a matter of realism. So both sides have agreed to the Base Agreement those 11 initial points that have been accepted, without any conditions or changes, and now it's the question of Annex implementation. So all the points are going to be included in the Implementation Annex, but it just remains how to formulate it to become accessible.

RTV21: So, Mr. Escobar, how do I know you're very optimistic?

DAS Escobar: The result will be, but I want to warn you that we may not have a final agreement. We'll work toward the end of Anex, but I expect much progress.

RTV21: Mr. Escobar why is the deal on the table the best solution actually? Is it the ballans of the desires of the parties or is it embed on both sides by the international community?

DAS Escobar: Look, I'll tell you, whoever looks at this deal cannot be surprised how far it goes. How much opens the doors for both countries to integrate closer into Euro-Atlantic structures and subsequently into international structures. So, I'm not saying this is not an ambitious enterprise. That's pretty ambitious. This will bring Serbia and Kosovo closer together, closer to the region and closer to Europe. So it is very important in many ways. Well, that's not the best deal, that's a really good deal.

RTV21: So if it's not the best solution...?

...I said the deal...

RTV21: ... does this mean that Kosovo should make other compromises?

DAS Escobar: I wouldn't call them compromises. The most important thing Kosovo hopes will signal is that Kosovo's government acknowledges its legal obligation to form the Association of Serb majority municipalities. This is important. For Serbia there are many other demands from all of them, Kosovo benefits. So, I want to see admission of obligations, and Anex will provide opportunities for how to move forward for all of them.

RTV21: Have you seen these admissions from both sides?

DAS Escobar: Copy on both sides? You mean recognition by both sides?

RTV21: Not for mutual recognition, but for obligations.

DAS Escobar: I'd say both sides are taking this very seriously.

RTV21: Okay. There are consequences for rejecting the agreement. If so, what would they be?

DAS Escobar: More willing than the consequences, I want to talk about priorities from accepting it. The first is that it opens the doors for both countries to move faster towards European structures and as a result, we want to see ways in which we can get immediate results. One thing I mentioned with Europeans now that Kosovo has visa liberalisation is for example. The opportunity to open the borders between Europe and the Western Balkans, not only for Serbia and Kosovo, but for all countries in the region to use liberalisation, to use the agreement signed in Berlin for freedom of movement so that citizens of this country and Serbia and the region could use European lines to get in and out of the region; you could use your passports to pass through European passport lines in Europe; to have the opportunity to carry out the administrative work that would normally have to carry out in Europe Italic with European systems. We're looking for this. These doors open with this deal. As for what happens if there are no agreements -- Europeans have signaled that this is their preferred path to European integration, and we fully support it. It is a well - thought - out plan; it is a reasonable agreement and has full support, not only of the 27 European Union countries, but also of the United States. He has full support and I couldn't imagine why someone would turn their back on such an extraordinary opportunity.

RTV21: Before I pressure you on this matter. Can you tell me; you are talking about 27 EU member states. But there are five member states that have not. How does it include them in this matter, considering that there are still states that strongly oppose Kosovo's independence?

DAS Escobar: In the European Union, I wouldn't use the word strongly. I'd say they're really interested in what happens tomorrow. We have engaged with European Union countries widely, including the five non-recognising states, and I would say that all European countries understand the importance of tomorrow.

RTV21: Including Spain?

DAS Escobar: Including Spain. But I have to clarify: they realize that tomorrow is a historic day, but they have not stated what they will do if they fail or succeed. This is the conversation we want to have together with the Kosovo government.

RTV21: Okay. Can we be more specific about whether something fails tomorrow? What are the consequences that Kosovo and Serbia may have on their way to the EU.

DAS Escobar: Look, there's nothing specific, but during my visit here with my German, French and Italian counterparts, it was very clear that this is the process that Europe has conveyed to both countries. It is a guidance that Europe has given them, and they want to trust that the two countries do not turn their backs on Europe. I don't know about specific legal or economic consequences, but politically the consequences that you seem to be ignoring the expectations of your most important partners I think this is very serious.

RTV21: Mr. Escobar, can Kosovo count on its membership in NATO and the Partnership for Peace with this agreement?

DAS Escobar: I think that's absolutely possible. Now, our attitude has always been and we are your most powerful international supporters. We want you to be a member of the United Nations, a member of NATO, a member of the European Union, and every international organization you want to join. This deal is not like that, but it opens the doors for all of them.

RTV21: But is this agreement an intermediate agreement or something we'll still see at a future stage?

DAS Escobar: Look, as for the agreement: what's important is not so much what's written on paper, but the trajectory of the relationship between Serbia and Kosovo. So, yes, this will not be the end of creating a stable, peaceful and productive relationship between Kosovo and Serbia. In fact, it is not the end of developments, political developments and reconciliation of the region as a whole. It is an important step, which I think people should not lose, but we will continue to invest in political and economic efforts to put forward the promise of what the Western Balkans is. And I would like to remind you that the U.S. government does not consider the Western Balkans a risk, but an opportunity. The definition of this region is the strong economic potential that are human capital and the other capital that make it the fastest growing part of Europe. So this is part of what this has to do with: this is about unlocking that potential for the world to understand who you really are: a vibrant multiethnic society, not society that cannot live with one another, that is prone to violence and that is still a hopeless political region. This is not what you are and this is the biggest signal you can send to the world now that you can be productive and peaceful members of the European family.

RTV21: When I asked you if this is the intermediate agreement, I was wondering if the U.S. has given up on the idea of mutual recognition?

DAS Escobar: No, no, not at all. In fact, it is our position that all countries in the region should know each other and have peaceful, productive and stable relations with each other.

RTV21: I can go back to the Association of Serb-run municipalities. Can there be a deal on that? Are you optimistic after you visited Belgrade and Pristina?

DAS Escobar: I have to tell you, there's already a deal on this. It's an existing deal 10 years ago. So our attitude is that it is a legally binding agreement. But, there must be agreement that needs to be negotiated between the parties and there must be agreement that does not interfere with Kosovo's constitutional, legal or functional capacities and that it is actually to provide municipal services to the people of those municipalities.

RTV21: Is this something that will lead to an autonomy for Serbs in Kosovo? Some kind of autonomy?

DAS Escobar: I would say it would allow them to unite to find the best mechanisms to provide municipal services, which are services the municipalities already offer. This would provide an opportunity for those municipalities joining the Association to find ways to co-ordinate those services to meet people's needs best.

RTV21: Are we in a position when we're talking about chicken or widows? What's the first Association or Association at the end?

DAS Escobar: Association is already a duty, so it's an important part of it. This will reinforce the legal foundations of the Association, but it's important to point out, you know, I don't want to look controversial when I say there will be association, but it appears in the Brussels Agreement, appears in this agreement, appears in the conclusions of the European Council, shown in our policies. So, basically, we can't escape the need for an association. But I also believe that the people of those municipalities expect it, love it, you need it on two conditions: one that helps you improve the delivery of municipal services and two that the international community participates in. So we'll do both and make it work. The only thing is we have to admit it's an obligation.

RTV21: Mr. Lajcak says it's 15...

...16. Right.

... models. I want to ask you. It seems Kurt and Vucinq are crashing for executive power association or some kind of NGO. Can they agree with the 15 models offered?

DAS Escobar: Look, I think what Mr. Lajcak is signaling that within the European Union there are patterns of self-management, self-government, of ways minority groups protect their culture and language and that create no problems for functionality. So, as long as this agreement goes forward and while normalising relations between Serbia and Kosovo, we should remember that you are also harmonising your systems with Europe, so that association will have to be in line with European values and systems. So, basically, there can be nothing that violates your constitution or your functionality. I think there's a lot to be done inside this parameter.

RTV21: I'll quote: “Association will occur. It is the question which Kosovo government will implement. I feel like you're not trusting government Kurti at this particular time. Which government will apply it?

DAS Escobar: No. That was the answer to a question when people asked me: What if Prime Minister Kurti doesn't accept it? But, in fact, it is a duty he has received, not a man or a party, but an international body that is the Kosovo government. So the question is who will be in charge when it happens? Of course I expect it will be this government because we need progress right away, but the fact is that for us you are members of the Euro-Atlantic community you are not part of the formal structures, but your signature, the signing of your previous leaders, is worthy of us, it should be useful to us and it should be valuable to you. So the question is how do we get there knowing that this is a fact that there will be an Association.

RTV21: But former leaders are now opposing him. Opposition parties are opposing the agreement between the parties, and you have met them yesterday and you have met them for a period of time. How do you get away with all the opposition you've seen on the ground?

DAS Escobar: Look, my message to the opposition was clear. I understand that for political reasons they have their differences with the prime minister. In Serbia and Kosovo, I am not asking the opposition to support leaders as political leaders, but I request that they support the vision of their countries for peaceful relations between Serbia and Kosovo. That's the order I gave to the opposition. I am not seeking support for the prime minister, but for a vision of a Kosovo that I think most people share in this country.

RTV21: Did you get the promise from them?

DAS Escobar: I would rather not enter diplomatic discussions with members of a political body, but I can say I heard them and they listened to me.

RTV21: Okay. So is the approval issue in the parliaments of Pristina and Belgrade?

DAS Escobar: This will depend on constitutional requirements after finalisation. But our attitude is that when we have a deal, it should be implemented. So there will be legally binding responsibility for both sides.

RTV21: Okay. Let me ask you a question. Escobar part of the accommodation is also the Serbian Orthodox Church, under the offered agreement. What potential problems might also take into account Montenegro's example?

DAS Escobar: I think the Serbian Orthodox Church should enjoy all and any protection offered to churches in Europe and that this will have to happen.

RTV21: So can we have greater autonomy for the Serbian Orthodox Church in Kosovo?

DAS Escobar: Look, I don't want to get into this because it's still a topic of discussion, but I think the protection of churches and freedom of religion in Europe is an important dogma of our values and I'm convinced that this will reflect on the agreement. But I am also convinced that this is reflected in the values of the people of Kosovo.

RTV21: Are we going to say "welcome” tomorrow"?

DAS Escobar: I hope we can.

RTV21: Thank you very much, sir. Thank you for your time.

DAS Escobar: Thank you.