In a joint op-ed published in Zeri, the U.S. Ambassador to Serbia, Kyle Scott, and the U.S. Ambassador to Kosovo, Philip Kosnett, said that the courage and creativity of leaders in Athens and Skopje to resolve decades-long dispute should serve as inspiration for all other leaders in the region and that it is time for Kosovo and Serbia to also respond constructively, end provocations, return to EU-facilitated dialogue and “boldly embrace peace.” “If you do so, we are optimistic you can reach a historic normalization agreement in 2019,” the two ambassadors write.
They say that the U.S. fully supports achievement and implementation of a comprehensive agreement with mutual recognition at its core and recalled the U.S. President Donald Trump’s appeal to leaders in Kosovo and Serbia to seize the moment and make decisions to balance the interests of both countries. “The United States does not, and will not, prescribe what the solution should look like, but believes it must be implementable in both Kosovo and Serbia, and must contribute to the long-term stability of the region. It is up to leaders and their teams to resume EU-led talks to explore what is possible, and to communicate transparently with their citizens – both to ensure negotiations reflect the will of the people, and to help overcome anxiety and suspicion,” Scott and Kosnett said.
See more: https://xk.usembassy.gov/2019-should-be-the-year-for-an-agreement/
