8 minutes agoAmerican Senator: Kurti's actions are unnecessarily endangering American troops and NATO forces
Periskopi(3 years ago)
(3 years ago)US Senator Chris Murphy has expressed disappointment with the fact that Kosovo and Serbia are back on their way towards normalising relations, following recent developments in northern municipalities. His message was clear, that both leaders take the right steps to return to the framework of [the...] actions.
In an interview in Atlantic Council, Senator Murphy said the last 30 days' decisions by Prime Minister Kurti in northern Kosovo have put US and NATO troops at risk.
This, Murphy said, would not do Kosovo good in terms of funds from internationals.
“When Prime Minister Kurti decided to hold elections in northern Kosovo, it made sense to take the oath, but I just don't believe it needed to push a certain mayor to have access to the municipal building which the Pristina government knew would initiate a response, which would eventually become violent. I think decisions in Pristina are now unnecessarily endangering NATO forces. This is something Congress will never be interested in financing American troops, NATO troops to be placed in unnecessary danger”.
“We saw much progress and promise with the Ohrid Agreement with the aim of determining the path in which Serbia and Kosovo can travel to achieve normalisation. Now we are, firmly, away from this road, and it is in the hands of the US and Europe and the citizens of both countries to ask that we return to the plan, to return to the concessions that are necessary here, Kosovo establishing association, and Serbia not preventing Kosovo from gaining international recognition. We should be able to get back on track”, Murphy said away.
According to the US senator, it is good for Kosovo and its people to have good relations with Serbia. Only so, he said, Kosovo will be able to join NATO and the EU.
“I think it is very important that Prime Minister Kurti make difficult decisions to gain peace and get on the road to normalisation with Serbia. This is good for his people, it is good for Kosovo to have more normal relations with Serbia. It is good for Kosovo to be able to apply with confidence for membership both in NATO and the EU, which cannot happen if Kosovo continues to have this divisive relationship with Serbia”, Murphy said.
“Message is simple, my electors will not be willing to send money to the region unless they see leaders taking the reasonable steps needed to maintain peace”, he said.
