25 minutes agoEscobar hits Kurt: He has only received the dialog with “po-jo”
Periskopi(3 years ago)
(3 years ago)The United States' envoy for the Western Balkans, Gabriel Escobar, provides new approaches to Kosovo-Serbia dialogue, criticising Prime Minister Albin Kurri, who, he says, has received dialogue as an option only “po or not”. He also gave support to the statement [...] in an interview for Voice of America.
The United States' envoy for the Western Balkans, Gabriel Escobar, provides new approaches to Kosovo-Serbia dialogue, criticising Prime Minister Albin Kurri, who, he says, has received dialogue as an option only “po or not”.
He's in an interview for Voice of America It also gave support to the European Union's statement, where Kosovo is asked for immediate commitment to form the Association of Serb majority municipalities.
No. If I had to say something, it wouldn't be a new approach from partners inside dialogue. The time has come for a new approach for some of the people who have received the dialogue as an option only “po or not”. And I'm referring specifically to the Kosovo government. They have a clear obligation to do what they should. And I think Borrell's statement was very clear. Serbia is encouraged to continue to be constructive and patient, but we also continue to urge Serbia not to do anything destabilizing within Kosovo. We'll have to continue to work with the dialogue. No alternative. There is no alternative for the region except European integration”, Escobar said.
After Kurti accused mediator Miroslav Lajcak of working against Kosovo in co-ordination with Serbia, Escobar said the US trusts European mediators and that he “will not leave”.
“Lajcak enjoys the full trust of the European Union and the United States. All EU countries made a joint statement following the failure of the talks, with support for Lajcak. It's something they have to face. Lajcak won't leave. Dialogue won't go away. And I don't think a country of one and a half million will convince the transatlantic community of 700 million to change its tactics. I think there should be a more pragmatic approach from the Kosovo government. I have to say something else. Over the past week, I have been alarmed by personal attacks on Lajcak that exist in the Kosovo social sphere. I asked President Osmani and Prime Minister Kurti to condemn these attacks. I'm not saying they come from the Kosovo government, but the Kosovo government should be very clear that personal attacks on the special representative are unacceptable”, Escobar said.
