Escobar Top 4 Messages in Last Interview

He says that in addition to dialogue, there is no alternative and ensures that the association of Serbian municipalities should be in accordance with the Constitution, Periscopi conducts by Mr. Escobar for Radio Free Europe.

Below, top four Escobar messages:

Radio Free Europe: Mr. Escobar, let me start with the Serbia-Kosovo dialogue. What do you see as a way out of Serbia-Kosovo dialogue?

Gabriel Escobar: Look, there's no alternative right now but dialogue. So the important thing for both sides is to continue to hold to dialogue. Now, I'm sure you've seen Mr. Borrell [Joseph]. We, indeed, are calling on the Kosovo side to be more constructive. And, I have to say, I'm a little worried about messages coming from Pristina. I worked with Special Representative of the European Union [Miroslav Lajcak]. I see no evidence of bias. I see no evidence of secret deals in work to advance Serbia's interest in this.

What we are trying to do, what the EU is trying to do is create conditions for normalisation and also for harmonisation for integration into the European Union at the same time. So I think the answer is that both sides double the effort, but the Kosovo side shows more pragmatism and more realism in its approach to the European Union.

Radio Free Europe: So, do you think there might be additional measures on both sides if they don't move forward with the implementation of the Ohrid Agreement and its Annex? Are the United States considering possible measures on both sides in that case?

Gabriel Escobar: I wouldn't say mass. I'd say consequences. Now, I tell you that the consequences that Kosovo faces, if they refuse to engage with the European Union, the European Union will not engage in additional assistance and additional measures for integration.

See, I think these measures are having an impact on Kosovo and Kosovo's economy. I hope that at least bilaterally, the United States can work with Kosovo to find a way to remove those measures in 2024. So, we will continue to work with Kosovo to draw it closer to the European Union. But we would like to see a political will and movement in that direction, too.

Radio Free Europe: Is there a deadline for this?

Gabriel Escobar: No, no... This is for pity. So, I mean, these measures are indefinite until there is a movement towards progress in both [the Ohrid Agreement] and an enlargement plan.

Radio Free Europe: Are the United States and the EU on the same line when it comes to that the Association of Serb majority municipalities should be in line with the Constitutional Court's decision? I'm asking this question because EU spokesman Peter Stano refused today expressly thatEU position It is that the Constitutional Court's decision should be taken into account during the establishment of Association.

Gabriel Escobar: We have repeatedly said that the Association of Serb majority municipalities should not create problems within Kosovo for functionalisation, must be in line with its legal code, in accordance with the Constitution. So within this, I still think there is a great capacity to allow Serbs to manage their municipal services in a way that best suits their citizens, without becoming Republika Srpska.

We've addressed it repeatedly. And I'm disappointed that point of conversation continues to rise that this will be Republika Srpska. There will be [a Republika Srpska]. It's really about municipal authorities doing what municipalities already do in Serbian.