Senator Menandez: Concerned that association could bring instability rather than stability

The future of Kosovo- Serbia was at the centre of a hearing session for the Western Balkans held on Thursday at the Commission for Foreign Relations in the United States.

In their reports, US State Department Adviser Derek Chollet and the United States' special envoy for the Western Balkans, Gabriel Escobar, spoke of the importance of implementing the Ohrid Agreement and establishing the association of Serb majority municipalities in Kosovo.

But, in an interview for Voice of America after the hearing, the chairman of the Foreign Relations Commission, Senator Bob Menandez, said that there should be no unjust pressure on Kosovo, while voicing concern that association could create instability.

The chairman of the Commission for Foreign Relations in Senate, Bob Menandez, says that the essence of sustainability in the Western Balkans is a final agreement between Kosovo and Serbia.

He says this agreement should be fair to both sides.

It's obvious that we have a lot of work to do. We're worried. This is an important part of the world and Europe. History tells us that there conflict can flare up quickly. It is important to do what we must and make sure that we do not exercise pressure on countries like Kosovo unjustly because of our desire to see a final solution. Must be a fair solution”, the senator says.

Referring to the influence in Bosnia and Herzegovina of the so-called Serbian Republic “”, Mr Menandez criticised the added pressure on Kosovo for establishing the association of Serb-run municipalities, despite the concern it may conflict with the country's Constitution.

I am concerned about some of the proposals, such as the association of Serbian municipalities and the likelihood that this could bring instability instead of sustainability. We've seen him in the past in other places. If they are not properly structured, they can create instability”, Menandez says of the Voice of America.

He made these comments after the hearing for the Western Balkans of the Commission for Foreign Relations in the American Senate.

At this session, American State Department Adviser Derek Chollet and the United States' special envoy for the Western Balkans, Gabriel Escobar, reported.

Both said the Western Balkans are a priority for the administration of President Joe Biden.

Chollet said that the Ohrid Agreement, reached 15 May between Kosovo and Serbia, sets the way towards normalising relations between the two countries.

This agreement could bring many benefits to Kosovo and Serbia. It is important progress in overcoming a cycle of crises that has characterised the relationship between these two countries for a long time. But it's very fragile. It takes political work and courage. We will continue to commit to the parties to fulfil their pledges”, Chollet said.

But according to him, the main challenge is to implement the agreement.

Unfortunately, we are not seeing much implementation of the agreement either side./ Therefore, we are committed to intensive diplomacy to encourage both countries to meet the” agreement, Chollet said.

Belgrade accuses Kosovo of failing to meet agreements, with its refusal to establish association of Serb majority municipalities.

While Pristina accuses Belgrade of violating the Ohrid agreement, because of its stances against Kosovo's membership in international organisations.

Washington's envoy for the Western Balkans, Gabriel Escobar, said association would be established within the Kosovo Constitution and based on European models already existing.

Our “position is that association is an existing legal obligation under the Brussels Agreement. But, we have repeatedly told Kosovo that we will help shape it under a European model, which does not violate its sovereignty, constitutional structure and funsymality”, Escobar said.

He added that establishing an association according to these models does not allow a neighbouring country to prevent the constitutionality or legal structure of another country.

“What we want to see is the use of association to prevent what Serbia is doing in northern Kosovo, bringing it under Kosovo's structure and laws. I don't see this as a concession for Serbia. I see this as a way for Kosovo to be in service to citizens living in it”, Escobar said.