US Under Secretary of State David Hale says that "there is a chance that a comprehensive solution will be achieved this year, but only if the dialogue is resumed first".
He also pointed out that this solution must contribute to long-term stability in the region.
Serbian Prime Minister Ana Brnabic commented on Kosovo Prime Minister Ramush Haradinaj’s statement on her visit to Pristina, saying it serves to “throw the dust into the eyes of EU and USA,” Tanjug news agency reported.
She added Haradinaj is doing everything to prevent continuation of dialogue. Brnabic also noted she received no invitation for the meeting, that according to Haradinaj should take place at the beginning of April.
US Ambassador in Serbia, Kyle Scott said Washington does not draw ‘red lines’ when it comes to the resolution of the Kosovo issue, B92 reports.
Speaking for Belgrade-based Kurir, Ambassador Scott noted any solution the two sides agree about would be supported, but the solution should be implantable and lasting.
US impatient to see the Belgrade and Pristina dialogue to continue as soon as possible, and its representatives do not hide expectations. US emissaries are shifting, and end of this week arrives and under-secretary David Hale, writes today Belgrade based daily Vecernje Novosti.
Belgrade-based daily Danas writes that West does not trust the opposition in Serbia would conclude the agreement with Kosovo, because of Dveri Movement, which is a member of the Alliance for Serbia (SzS), while other members of the Alliance “have no clear responses and attitudes in relation to the recognition of Kosovo independence.”
There is no solution for Kosovo without Serbia, and if someone thinks that eventual unification of Kosovo and Albania and creation of “Great Albania” could resolve this problem, that one is in illusion, Chairperson of the Serbian National Assembly Committee for Kosovo and Metohija Milovan Drecun told RTS.
“That would neither be peaceful nor sustainable solution, and it would not help stabilize the region. It is in full contradiction to all of that,” Drecun said for the RTS morning program.
The US wants to see Serbia in EU and in the family of European peoples, Ambassador Kyle Scott said, adding that in this regard, his country would intensify relations with Serbia, Tanjug news agency reported.
He also said by joining the EU, Serbia would get stronger after all it underwent with its neighbors and people would be able to live better.
“You want your citizens to live same as in Europe and to become a part of the European club, but you have to respect their rules,” Ambassador Scott said at the Kopaonik Business Forum.
An American official who will soon take over the position of an Assistant Secretary of State for Europe and Eurasia, Philip Reeker, has called on Pristina to abolish the tariffs, reports Serbian media quoting the portal nezavisen.mk.
According to the North Macedonia news portal nezavisen.mk he also called on Belgrade to focus on the strategic interest "instead of being aggressive in rejecting Kosovo."
The position of Russia and China, as well as of the US and Germany, regarding Kosovo, is completely clear and unambiguous, Chairperson of the Serbian Assembly Committee for Kosovo and Metohija Milovan Drecun said, adding it is also necessary that the US fully clarifies its position, BETA news agency reported.
Drecun told RTS over the weekend that the US position on Kosovo is crucial - "whether they want a compromise solution or will continue pressure on Belgrade to recognize Kosovo."
Serbia should recognise Kosovo as an independent, sovereign country and Kosovo should do the same, said Matthew Palmer, the Deputy Assistant Secretary of State.
"The talks between Belgrade and Pristina are not about the border change, but about recognition. Serbia should recognise Kosovo as an independent, sovereign country, and Kosovo should do the same," Palmer said in Delfi, at the fourth Delphi Economic Forum, Danas daily reported.