Escobar: I challenge everyone to find something we have done over the past 90 days, which has gone in favour of Kosovo

Escobar said no country or leader can determine the course of regional stability, and that those who reject partnership will have consequences.

The US official also requested the immediate release of three Kosovo police officers who are being detained in Serbia, but said investigations into where they were caught are still continuing.

Although he said investigations are still continuing on the issue, he added even if they have crossed the border, this has obviously been done without purpose.

We are not making a full statement until we have all the facts, although there are two possible scenarios at the moment. One is that they have either been kidnapped within Kosovo's territory and have been sent to Serbia, either unwittingly crossing the border and found within Serbian territory. In both cases, it is very clear that these policemen have not intended to enter Serbia and they must be released”, Escobar said during the telephone conference with journalists.

He said tensions are burdening not only the situation in Kosovo and Serbia, but the entire region, while rejecting the Kosovo government's decision on, as he said, closing the border and obstructing the entry of Serbian goods into Kosovo. Escobar said efforts to defuse the situation are under European Union's three-point plan

“We believe special police should withdraw from municipal buildings and mayors from other countries. We believe protesters must leave the streets. We believe that anyone who has committed violent action against KFOR or the Kosovo police must take responsibility. We believe that early elections with unconditional Serb participation should be held as soon as”, said Mr. Escobar.

Asked whether there would be other sanctions on the parties to force them to meet Brussels and Washington's requirements, Escobar said yes, but refused to call them sanctions but punitive measures.

No country and no leaders will set the course of regional and European stability. So, to those who reject partnership will have consequences”, further clarify Mr. Escobar.

He did not name Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti, but American diplomats in recent days have questioned whether Mr. Kurti is a partner of the United States.

The US envoy for the Western Balkans was asked several times by journalists if Washington's positions are tougher to Pristina than Belgrade, taking into account Serbia's continued efforts to prevent recognition of Kosovo, the US official blamed Pristina for recent frustrations.

“While it is very true that part of the issue is that Serbia has not progressed to the point that we want on its way to a peaceful, normal relationship with Kosovo, I would say that much of what is happening starting in November has been due to the unilateral actions of the Kosovo government to impose solutions that are not co-ordinated with the international community”.

He acknowledged that efforts are seen in both countries to maintain high levels of tension, as he according to him are fed by the crisis. But, he dismissed claims that Washington is recently helping Serbia more than Kosovo, citing a host of demands he says have rejected Serbia. He said the West supported Kosovo for elections in northern Kosovo and recognised their outcome despite low voter turnout. Escobar also said Belgrade's request not to support Kosovo's application for membership in the Council of Europe was rejected.

In no case in the past 90 days, I challenge everyone to find anything we have done that has not gone in favour of Kosovo. Now, the only thing we had, we had warned Kosovo about the use of buildings in the north. Using buildings was an unnecessary escalation at a time when emotions were high”, he said.

The US envoy for the Western Balkans again cited establishing the Association of Serb-run municipalities as an obligation for Kosovo, primarily with the international community. / VOA