O'Brien: North and secession threats in primary Bosnia in region, Kosovo has the right to defend its territory

Asked by Tanjug how you see the security situation in the Western Balkans, O'Brien has stressed that the primary risk “is northern Kosovo and the breakaway threat of a part of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

“KFOR and EUFOR are there to prevent small local gangs. We have good co-operation with Serbia and Kosovo authorities in an effort to resolve the dangers of violence in the north, and I think we have a chance for political processes that will address the causes of violence”, OcomBrien said.

The Serbian media has asked the US diplomat that “because Kosovo is allowed to buy fear when, according to UN Resolution 1244, the only armed force allowed to operate in Kosovo is KFOR-i”, OCEBrien says that Resolution 1244 created a process to discuss Kosovo's future.

That process led to Kosovo's independence. Kosovo has the right to defend its territory without jeopardising its neighbours. In general, it is a step towards stability in the region, and for that there will be US support,” said Oʹ Brien.

Commenting on the blockade of recent dialogue and meetings in Brussels (the Kurti-Vucciq s ndodh), and Association, O'Brien says it is clear that the US supports the formation of association.

I think there are about 400 associations across Europe and that would be the model. As for advancing dialogue, we have other tools, such as the Western Balkans Growth Plan, which is aimed at strengthening co-operation such as the movement of people, goods and other practical things, I think this is the main thing that we are focusing on the details related to dialogue, but in a region of 18 million people, we have to find ways to co-operate and offer people a better thing. This should resolve some of the tensions”, O'Brien said.

Speaking of Serbian Foreign Minister Marko Djuric's presence at dinner organised by State Secretary Anthony Blinken during the NATO summit, as well as co-operation with Serbia, O'Brien stresses that the US is very satisfied with co-operation that Serbia has taken its way towards strengthening its armed forces, but that the US believes co-operation in the area can contribute to stability in the region by increasing transparency and ensuring there is no surprise from paramilitary and military formations.

So we're encouraged by this and we welcome the Foreign Affairs Minister who's here this week. I think cooperation, support for Ukraine is of vital importance. Ukraine stands for the basic principle of territorial integrity. I know that President Vucic speaks about this principle, we do not agree on some of his applications, but in this context, what Serbia is doing by making its weapons available by helping Ukraine fight for a basic principle of international law, we welcome him”, O'Brien said.