British Ambassador: Disappointing that negotiations are blocked, all aspects of the Ohrid Agreement must be implemented

Hargreaves has said it is clear to him that Kosovo has clear vision for a modern, democratic, multiethnic and European state.

We will do everything we can to support this and promote peace and stability in this region. However, this will not be achieved until all aspects of the Basic Agreement and the Ohrid Agreement are implemented by Kosovo and Serbia. It is deeply disappointing that the negotiations are currently blocked”.

He also talked about government decisions on banning the dinar and closing Serbian mail branches and the savings bank.

Whether to the dinar or to close the Serbian Mail and Savings Bank branches. I joined the international community, calling on the prime minister to ensure that his government undertakes such measures in co-ordination with us and local communities so that they can be implemented in a way to protect those who must be protected”, he said.

On the other hand, Hargreeves has said that power billing, license plates and drivers are successful steps.

“As far as the Kosovo Government's policy is concerned with the Serb community in Kosovo, it is important to underline some of the steps that have resulted in success, such as resolving electricity billing, implementing the license and registration agreement for drivers”, he said.

It is legitimate for the state of Kosovo to have such expectations by its citizens throughout the country. The United Kingdom has done everything it can to help where it sees the Government of Kosovo taking positive steps, whether through our work of verifying the diploma or supporting a multilinguical online platform that helps all non-profit communities engage with state institutions, or helping communication in the Serbian language become more efficient”.

Harreves said it is extremely important that Milan Radojicic and other involved be held responsible for the attack on Banjska.

The ambassador was also asked about CIA chief William Burns' visit.

I think that you should ask one of the many analysts in Kosovo. I cannot speak on behalf of my American colleagues, but from my point of view, the US is consistent in its commitment to the security and stability of Kosovo and the entire Western Balkan region, and I do not see that this will change. ”

Kossev has asked Ambassador Hargreave if he sees discrimination against Serbs in Kosovo.

I have visited the northern parts of Kosovo several times since I came here. I've made it a priority because I want to keep a regular dialogue with people here and understand the real reality on the ground as much as possible. The northern Kosovo is beautiful, with a rich history and great economic potential, but people living here are still paying a high price for the lack of normalisation between Kosovo and Serbia. ”

He added that Serbs in the north feel deep uncertainty and that they do not trust governments in Kosovo and Serbia in terms of their concerns.

Hargreaves said he regrets that Serbs at the request of the Serbian List boycotted opportunities to show democratic representation in the petition, which was organised this year for the dismissal of Albanian mayors there.

“If I could sum up my impressions of talking with the local Serb population from Kosovo with one sentence, it would be that many people feel deep uncertainty and often lack confidence in the ability of governments in Pristina and Belgrade to hear their concerns. I have the impression that many Serbs in Kosovo think their interests are almost completely missing from those represented through political voices or citizens. It is very sad that the majority of the Serb population in Kosovo, at the request of the Serbian List, boycotted the latest opportunities to be democraticly represented”.