RTS reports about polemics between the newly appointed US envoy for the Western Balkans Mathew Palmer and Russian Ambassador to Serbia, Alexander Botsan-Kharchenko. Earlier Palmer told Montenegro-based television that Moscow wishes unstable region. Botsan-Kharchenko responded to this by saying why would Russia need instability in the Western Balkans while her leading companies are implementing the long-term projects in Serbia.
“The most important thing now is for Pristina to get a new government as soon as possible and for that government to do whatever it takes to continue the dialogue with Belgrade, including the abolition of tariffs on goods from Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina”, US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs, Matthew Palmer said, Serbian media report.
“We hope it can be resolved soon”, Palmer added in an interview for Voice of America.
Serbian Prime Minister Ana Brnabic and US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs Matthew Palmer spoke on Wednesday in Sarajevo.
The conversation was about the current situation in Kosovo and Metohija, tariffs and the possibilities for the continuation of dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina, the Serbian Government announced.
Deputy Assistant US Secretary of State for Europe and Eurasia, Matthew Palmer met with outgoing Kosovo Minister for Communities and Returns Dalibor Jevtic in Washington, BETA news agency reported.
Palmer said Pristina’s decision on tariffs on goods from Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina must be suspended in order to open a way to the dialogue.
As the press announcement from Jevtic’s cabinet noted, Palmer said it is an official US position.
Srpska Lista representatives said during the meeting with US official Mathew Palmer that peace and stability are the most important and all open issues should be resolved in compromise. On the other side, Palmer noted it is important that Serbs take part in all the processes important for Kosovo, RTS reports.
US State Department official Mathew Palmer told Serbian Prime Minister Ana Brnabic that the Belgrade-Pristina dialogue is important to the stability of the region, FoNet news agency reported.
He said Washington firmly believes that the dialogue is important to maintain peace and stability in the Western Balkans, Serbian Government press release said.