Resolving the Kosovo issue primarily depends upon the leaders in Belgrade and Pristina, and not US administration, current and former American diplomats dealing with the Balkans assessed during the conference on the US and Central Europe relations that took place at the Atlantic Council in Washington, RTS reports. Acting Assistant of US Secretary of State for Europe and Eurasian Affairs Philip Reeker told Voice of America he sat for a long time at the negotiation table between Belgrade and Pristina and that is why he believes both sides have a good will to return to the dialogue.

French President Emmanuel Macron plans to appoint a special envoy for the Western Balkans, who would have an active role in resolving the Kosovo issue, Belgrade-based Blic daily reports today. According to unofficial findings, President Macron has informed Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic about the plan during his visit to Serbia. The daily further continues Macron intents to actively engage in this region. “France wants to take over a crucial role in resolving the issues between Belgrade and Pristina.

Acting Assistant of US Secretary of State for Europe and Eurasian Affairs, Philip Reeker said the US is ready to get involved in the process of dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina, however they may not do so until the both sides decide to return to the dialogue, RTS reports. Reeker told Voice of America he spoke recently with the State Secretary Mike Pompeo about possible stronger role of the US in the process of the dialogue. “We closely cooperate with EU partners.

Ursula von der Leyen, former German Defense Minister and a prominent member of Germany's Christian Democrats, talked to N1's Ivana Dragicevic on Tuesday evening shortly after the European Parliament confirmed Von der Leyen as the new European Commission president. Asked to comment on the future composition of the European Commission, especially regarding officials from Eastern Europe and possible commissioners from those countries, Von der Leyen said that there should be a "geographic balance" in the future Commission. "I am not at all decided now how the puzzle would be at the very end.

Former French Minister of European Affairs and current member of the European Parliament (EP) Nathalie Loiseau said on Tuesday the Balkan region “was not at all ready” to join the European Union, as the bloc was not fit to take in those countries, the Paris France Inter reported as carried by BETA news agency. Speaking on the second day of the French President Emmanuel Macron’s visit to Belgrade, Loiseau said she was not in favor of direct integration, but of “very close partnership at the economic level, in infrastructure, but at a political level as well to avoid all the tensions.” “It is

Leader of the opposition Democratic Party of Serbia (DSS) Milos Jovanovic commenting on French President Macron visit said it seems that France is ready to accept some sort of agreement reached by Belgrade and Pristina, Danas daily reported. He noted the stance of the official Paris in this regard slightly differs from that of Germany, however, France still considers Kosovo as a state and took part in the secession of the southern Serbian province. According to Jovanovic, French President after the major diplomatic gaffe in Paris in November 2018 during Armistice Day ceremony, sent expected

French President Emmanuel Macron ended his two-day visit to Serbia and was accompanied to "Nikola Tesla" Airport by the Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic. The good-bye greeting of the two leaders was sincere, as was the welcome of the high guest from Paris, B92 reports. Vucic escorted Macron to the plane with red carpet and lined Serbian Army Guard.

French President Emmanuel Macron has great ambitions regarding the role of EU and thinks the EU can resolve Kosovo issue on its own, along with Belgrade and Pristina, RTS reported. This was said on the RTS special broadcast dedicated to the visit of President Macron to Serbia. Sonja Liht from the Fund of Political Excellence said a major step ahead was made in terms of bilateral relations.

After eight months of delay caused by problems at home, French President Emmanuel Macron arrives in Belgrade on Monday for a two-day official visit expected to patch up recent disagreements between Serbia and France, otherwise traditional friends, N1 reported. Serbian capital is decorated with French and Serbian flags along the route President Macron is going to pass, while the main city’s Kalemegdan Park will welcome the French President with inscriptions in French language. There, next to the Gratitude to France monument, the two presidents are scheduled to address people.

French President Emanuel Macron set to visit Serbia on July 15 and 16, according to Belgrade-based Vecernje Novosti, wants to show that Paris is “still an important player on the world's political and security scene”. Meanwhile, Blic daily adds that President Macron “brings five messages to the Serbian authorities - can Serbia join the European Union before 2028; does it have a plan to “pressure Pristina” to revoke 100 percent tariffs on goods from Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina; how to improve the economic cooperation and how to boost the two countries' cooperation it the areas of securit