Hill: In September new efforts to resolve Kosovo- Serbia

He has also commented on Serbia's defence minister, Milos Vuchevic,'s statements that Northern Macedonia and Montenegro may be “goland on their head” why they recognised Kosovo.

He has said he cannot predict any crisis, adding that efforts to resolve the Kosovo issue- Serbia must continue.

American Ambassador to Serbia interview Christopher Hill

Voice of America: Several dozen parliamentarians from the US and European countries called on the West in a letter to change the policy towards Serbia, claiming that the current policy does not work, and that Western access to Vuciqi is “soft” in the context of Kosovo. Do you consider your policy successful if you take it for the basis that the situation in Kosovo has escalated several times over the past year, that Serbia is no closer to the EU, that neither the Ohrid Agreement nor the European proposal for Kosovo is being implemented? Where's the success?

Hill: First, you don't make politics because it's successful, but because it's right. When we formulate politics, we weigh our interests and the idea of whether it is the right thing for our government to do. Of course we would like the Brussels dialogue to develop much faster, we support Mr. (Miroslav) Lajcak because we think this is the right approach. And we want to see an agreement based on forming the Association of Communities [in large, Saint.red.] Serbian, so Serbs in northern Kosovo know what the rules of the game are and what their lives will be like, this is very important to us. We recognise Kosovo and would like it to join international organisations because we think it is best for Kosovo, but also for the stability of the region. That's our policy, and I think it's right, whether it's successful or not. The game isn't over.

Voice of America: What about statements that Vuciqi is destabilizing the region? Serbia's defence minister recently said that northern Macedonia and Montenegro could “hit the head” by recognising Kosovo, which some in Montenegro interpreted as a threat. Do you consider it an attempt to destabilise the region?

Hill: I don't see it as an attempt to destabilise the region, and I certainly don't think that Mr. Vuchevic wanted it to be understood that way. I certainly would like to see better relations between the Balkan countries and think that the Open Balkans is a good step in this direction, as well as the Berlin Process... I would like to see more support from other countries in the region, but also from the West, where everyone understands that these countries must co-operate and thus be better EU partners or members.

Voice of America: In the 1990s, the West had a tougher approach to Serbia. You've met Slobodan Milosevic, now you're working with Vucinqi. Can you compare, say, with whom is it easier to cooperate?

Hill: I can't compare, they're very different, and time is different. And I can't talk about the similarities and the differences between the current president and someone like Milosevic, that's what I'm going to leave to you and the historians.

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Voice of America: The situation in Kosovo seems calmer than it has been in recent months. Have you found common language with Mr. Kurti, the prime minister of Kosovo, to work together to resolve the problem? I'm asking because in an interview in June you told us you're not sure that Mr. Kurt is an American partner. Did you move from that point?

Hill: What I can tell you is that we are working closely with Serbia on resolving the problem, we think it makes sense for Serbia and Serbian-American relations and lets others answer that question. My opinion is familiar.

Voice of America: Do you think the situation in Kosovo is calmer or do you think differently?

Hill: I'd say it's August and a lot of people are on vacation, we'd have to see how it goes in September. I believe this is an issue that requires urgent solutions and that progress is needed. Even though we now know what “components are for a peaceful future KS formation, Kosovo's membership in international organisations, we know what we should do, we just have to unite the parts. It's like a big puzzle you put on the table and then you put the pieces together.

Voice of America: Do you expect a crisis in September?

Hill: I can't predict a crisis, but what I can see is a new attempt to solve problems. Everyone had a chance to think over the summer and I hope we can improve. Serbia is the biggest country in the Balkans, has ambitions to approach the West, has ambitious economic plans, is coming “Expo 27”. If I were Serbia, I would like to solve the problem with Kosovo, to show that I still support the Serb community in Kosovo, but, ultimately, to see what are the broader strategic moves to be made to draw closer to the West.