Escobar: US will not abandon Kosovo, but the formation of the CSM will be implemented

(Patria) - The decision on the formation of the Community of Serb Municipalities in Kosovo will be implemented, stated on December 1st the US Special Envoy for the Western Balkans Gabriel Escobar at an online conference organized by the Atlantic Council.

He said that this is one of the obligations within the dialogue between Serbia and Kosovo under the auspices of the European Union.

"It is a legally binding provision. It is legally binding for Serbia, for Kosovo, and for the EU, and precisely because we support the dialogue, it is also our obligation. So yes, it should be implemented and it will be implemented," said Escobar.

He said he hopes the Government in Pristina will "see it as an opportunity" and pointed out that there are models in Europe that allow for collective rights for minorities.

Escobar emphasized the US support for Kosovo, saying that there is no country in the world that supports Kosovo more than the United States.

"Our commitment to Kosovo, their sovereignty, independence, territorial integrity, and security is firm. It is a partnership with the people of that country, and we will not abandon them," said Escobar.

He thus responded to criticism from Pristina that pressure is being exerted on Kosovo, while at the same time policies are being implemented to satisfy Belgrade.

The formation of the CSM was agreed upon by the Brussels Agreement from 2013 between Belgrade and Pristina, but the current Prime Minister of Kosovo, Albin Kurti, believes that municipalities cannot be organized on an ethnic principle.

The President of Serbia, Aleksandar Vučić, is of the opinion that the formation of the CSM is a condition for the return of Serb representatives to Kosovo institutions, while the Prime Minister of Kosovo stated that the return of Serbs to institutions cannot be a political, but a legal and constitutional issue.

Escobar also spoke about the recent agreement between Serbia and Kosovo on license plates and the role of the US in the negotiation process.

"The agreement reached by Serbia and Kosovo on license plates last week is considered important for reducing tensions. Our position has always been that instead of working on individual issues that create tensions, all these issues should be addressed within the framework of the EU-sponsored dialogue," said Escobar.

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