Serwer: I think the Trump administration would like Brussels to take the lead in dialogue

The United States has not yet provided clear indicators regarding the approach it will apply in the Western Balkans, American expert for the region Daniel Cerwer has said. In addition to the strong support the current administration gave to Bosnia and Herzegovina's sovereignty, Serwer says something similar has not been seen in relation to Kosovo.

For now, the region is on autopilot. In addition to the strong support the administration has given to Bosnia and Herzegovina's sovereignty and territorial integrity, I have not seen indications of what politics will be. This is the continuation of the existing American stance, but re-exemplified in a loud and constructive way. I have not seen anything like it yet for Kosovo”, Serwer has said.

The US evental inclusion is mentioned in the context of dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia, referring to the first mandate when Donald Trump had pushed the parties towards an economic agreement.

Despite the trajectory that US-EU reports received after Trump's return to the White House, when it came to dialogue, according to Cerwer, Washington appears to be leaving Brussels.

I think this administration will want Brussels to take the lead in dialogue. In general, the US and the EU are in different trajectorys today, but I haven't seen any indication of this on dialogue issue”, he added.

Finally, “Al Jazeera” reported that the US will appoint Colleen Hyland deputy secretary for the Western Balkans, instead of Alexander Cassanoff. Hyland is an experienced diplomat who has worked on several US diplomatic missions, including in Kosovo, where she was deputy ambassador in 2016-2019.

Cerwer says the eventual appointment of College Hyland does not indicate either the continuation or the change of the current administration in relation to the Balkans. According to him, Hyland will do what the Trump administration wants.

She seems extremely qualified. She's a professional. But it will do what the administration wants, which is still not clear”, has been outlined by Cerwer.

During his first presidency, 2017-2021, Donald Trump addressed the Kosovo issue primarily through an economic-oriented approach, even though discussions were conducted at that time for exchange of territories between Kosovo and Serbia. A special emissary for dialogue, Kosovo-Serbia, was also appointed during the first presidency. Under Richard Green's mediation on February 4th 2020, Kosovo and Serbia had signed the so-called economic normalisation agreement.

Washington's agreement was promoted as a success of his diplomacy, though the emphasis was mainly on economic co-operation and less on political issues.

Dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia, mediated by the EU, continues to be promoted as a guide for avoiding conflict and normalising relations. The 2023 Ohrid Agreement created the framework for normalisation, but the lack of implementation has raised questions about the seriousness of this process.

Continued Western officials have raised concerns that if Serbia and Kosovo fail to reach a compromise, the situation could remain frozen, with the risk of escalating tensions in the country's north.

Kosovo has been seeking stronger international support for membership in international organisations, including the Council of Europe and the NATO Partnership for Peace. US officials in some cases have made it clear that to help Kosovo in this process, we need normalisation of relations with Serbia and a deal that contributes to stability in the region./Periscopi/