Americans from O headquarters SBE) to Vienna send messages, Kosovo to dinar, Serbia to Radojiciqi

The United States remains committed to achieving lasting peace in the Western Balkans. The normalisation of relations between Kosovo and Serbia is an essential aspect of regional stability and prosperity.

Thus has the US mission to the OSCE declared in a statement issued for Kosovo and Serbia.

“We encourage both countries to engage in trust through EU facilitated dialogue to strengthen democracy, economic integration into the EU and promote multiethnic co-operation and respect”.

For Kosovo, the position on the dinar issue has reiterated, meanwhile, has posed Serbia's failure to hold responsible the perpetrators of the terrorist attack in Banjska.

Kosovo's unilateral decision to limit the import of the Serbian dinar does not advance these goals. We call on Kosovo to immediately postpone the implementation of this decision and the parties involved to seek solutions within the EU-enlightened dialogue. We are also deeply concerned about the recent and uncoordinated actions the Government of Kosovo has undertaken, including raids of Serbia-backed institutions and the closure of services on which Kosovo citizens rely. These actions are not in line with the commitment of the Government of Kosovo to constructively address the issues affecting the Serb minority community in Kosovo through the EU-ex1> facilitated dialogue.

“Meanwhile, Serbia's failure to seek responsibility from the perpetrators of the September 24th attacks near the Banjska Monastery in Kosovo is irresponsible and deeply undermines the trust needed for normalisation. Immediately after those attacks, we called on Serbia to take responsibility all responsible. Unfortunately, we have to do this again today”, the US mission has said.

The US says Kosovo handed over a 48-page report to the EU on January 26th, presenting its findings for the attack on Banjska.

“United Director of the US and EU List Srpska Milan Radoic has publicly acknowledged responsibility for organisation and participation in the Banjska attack. However, Radoicik and others responsible for the terrible actions have not been held accountable”.

The US said Serbia should hold responsible authors and organisers of the 24 September attack and work with the NATO mission in Kosovo to ensure that another attack like this will not happen again.

“Our priority remains to normalise relations between Kosovo and Serbia. The two countries signed the Ohrid Agreement and its application annex in February and March 2023, which the EU has said are legally binding commitments. They serve as a guide for each side to reduce tensions and move urgently on their respective European roads. Progress towards long-term peace is of vital importance to the people of Kosovo and Serbia, as well as to the long-term stability of the region. Thank the O missions The SEU in Kosovo and Serbia for their continued work, under difficult conditions, to help make this a reality” ends the US.