Voice of America (VOA) in Serbian language writes that two weeks after the visit of the High State Department official Hoyt Bryan Yee to Belgrade – his encounters and messages are still being talked about. Especially one that Serbia should not sit on two chairs. The American diplomat explained at a gathering on the Balkans, held in Washington, what he meant when he said that, Voice of America reports.
“At the conference in Belgrade, I may have recklessly used the Serbian saying that it cannot sit on two chairs – but it was in the context of an advise for Serbia, how to move faster towards the EU. It was not an ultimatum or warning. The topic was how to make Serbia move faster towards the EU and I gave some advices, including that Serbia should be fully committed to it. An example of this is Montenegro, which is moving rapidly towards the EU, and has opened 28 or 30 chapters. EU members have in mind that Montenegro has imposed sanctions on Russia, although this has not been technically required from it.”
Nothing was required from Serbia in relation to Kosovo, explained Hoyt Yee. Again, he says, in the form of advice, and not demands, he conveyed the US message to the Serbian officials. About what further on, as well as about recognition of Kosovo’s independence, Yee says – Belgrade will decide, reports VOA.
Professor at Jones Hopkins University Daniel Serwer was more concrete – he believes that Kosovo should be enabled to become a member of the UN.
Addressing Kosovo’s issue is only one of the current challenges for the United States in the Balkans that less and less may rely on the EU which is struggling with the internal crisis.
US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Hoyt Bryan Yee said that much depends on leaders in the region, but that there are many who “have convinced the United States that they are partners, but are not working enough on the necessary reforms.”
Hoyt Yee did not want to confirm or deny speculation that he would be the next US ambassador to FYROM, reports VOA.
