US Ambassador to Serbia Michael Kirby said in talking show “Pressing” on TV N1 that the prime ministers of Serbia and Kosovo will meet on 27 January.
Speaking about the talks with Pristina, Kirby points out that it is good that there is constant contact and “already on 27 January, the prime ministers will meet”.
Ambassador Kirby praised the work of Dacic’s and Vucic’s government, and the President Nikolic, and that he supports their work on the road to the EU, economic reforms, the dialogue with Pristina.
-I am not going to change the Government in Serbia. When I look at everything positive what they have done, Dacic’s and Vucic’s Government and the President Nikolic, we support all that – movement towards the EU, economic reforms, the dialogue with Pristina. It makes no sense, why should we now bring down the government. You can print what you want, but does not mean its true everything you read in the papers – said Kirby.
He also points out that he has a very good personal relationship with the Serbian Prime Minister.
-We have a good, open discussion. I can tell him what I think and he says what he thinks – says the US Ambassador.
Speaking about the negotiations between Belgrade and Pristina, Kirby said that “it is not happening at lightning speed, but while it rolls, it’s good.”
According to him, it is good that there is constant contact, and said that already “on January 27, will meet the Prime Ministers”.
He pointed out that each side has to fulfil all that it accepted.
-Pristina has accepted to form a tribunal for war crimes of the KLA, and they are working on it with the Dutch. Neither did you solve all the problems; you have parallel administrative structures. Severe things do not happen overnight – says the Ambassador noting that the United States believe that justice must be served, and if the Court for the KLA crimes is not formed, the only alternative is the UN court.
When asked why the US does not take advantage of the influence on Pristina to accelerate certain things, Kirby says that it is the fact that the US has good relations with Kosovo and the influence on Pristina, but you cannot force people to do something, it’s not diplomacy.
-The relationship between Serbia and Kosovo will come into their own when they overcome the problem of war crimes … Together you can go forward and this will happen. We want to help you go forward – said Kirby.
US Ambassador says that Serbia will need to figure out, on this road, what is the long-term relationship with Pristina, but that there will be plenty of other challenges: the treatment of minorities, rule of law, judicial system…
-It’s all important. EU is watching this, as it had bad experience with your neighbours. If the courts are working well, if people have confidence, it will be good, economy can grow – said Kirby.
