11 minutes agoUS senators call on Kosovo, Serbia to agree on European plan annex
Periskopi(3 years ago)
(3 years ago)US Senators have welcomed recent developments in the dialogue between Pristina and Belgrade, as a result of Monday's meeting in Brussels, between Kosovo and Serbia leaders. Jeanne Shaheen, chairman, and Pete Ricketts, member of the Senate's Undercommittee for Europe and Regional Security Co-operation, said the agreement [...]
Jeanne Shaheen, chairman, and Pete Ricketts, member of the Senate's Undercommittee for Europe and Regional Security Co-operation, said the deal reached in Brussels paves the way for Kosovo to join the European Union.
This statement has been attributed to other American senators, such as Thom Tillis, Chris Murphy, Ron Johnson and Chris Van Hollen.
“We congratulate the governments of Serbia and Kosovo on reaching a temporary agreement on normalising relations. This is an important moment for both countries. This progress could unblock significant opportunities for Kosovo and Serbia, which include pursuing EU membership and boosting economic integration within the Western Balkans and worldwide”, senators said.
On the other hand, they have demanded that now the focus be towards reaching an agreement on the annex to implement the agreement, which, according to the senators, involves the entire Western Balkans.
“Anyway, the two leaders now must join and reach an agreement on the implementation annex, which will provide a guide for normalisation between the two countries. The implementation agreement and annex have significant implications for the wider Western Balkans area where we know Putin is seeking to undermine transatlantic unity and expand Russian influence. The Democrats and Republicans in the Senate are committed to working with the governments of Kosovo and Serbia as they finalise the implementation annex and advance priorities that will bring peace, stability and prosperity to the region”, is highlighted in this letter.
Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti, and Serbia's president, Aleksandar Vuciq, agreed in Brussels on Monday to advance the process of dialogue through the acceptance of the European Union's proposal, though the same was not signed by both leaders.
The proposal, which has also been made public for the first time, contains a total of 11 articles. Under the basic agreement, the proposal includes the implementation plan.
The next summit is set to take place on 18 March in Skopje, North Macedonia. The mediator will be EU Foreign Policy Commissioner Josep Borrell. He is expected to pay visits to the region, with what cases he will devote part of the time to the leaders of Kosovo and Serbia.
