Eskobar: Kurti and Vučić agreement is legally binding

(Patria) - US State Department Special Envoy for the Western Balkans Gabriel Escobar said today that the agreement reached in Ohrid two days ago is a step towards normalizing relations between Belgrade and Priština, and that it is legally binding, although not signed.

He stated during an online press conference that it took a lot of courage and vision from Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić and Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti to reach this point.

- This agreement is legally binding for both sides. Although not signed, it is an agreement in every sense - he said, clarifying that this means in every sense.

According to him, EU High Representative Josep Borrell made it clear that the parties have committed themselves and that the implementation of the agreement will reflect on the European path of both sides.

- The agreement is a path towards reconciliation between Serbia and Kosovo. It is important to clarify how the two sides will proceed further. Implementation must begin immediately, and both sides will benefit from it. I believe the most important thing is Euro-Atlantic integration. We will only progress if the agreement starts being implemented as soon as possible - he said.

As he pointed out, Serbia must work on key elements of the annex.

- It is important for both sides that everything remaining from the Brussels Agreement is implemented. That is expected from both sides. We will continue to work with both sides and our partners - he said.

When asked whether Kosovo's membership in international organizations was discussed at the meeting in Ohrid, he said he could not say, but that everything in the European proposal was discussed.

Escobar added that it is a general matter that the EU path of both Kosovo and Serbia is conditioned by the implementation of the agreement on normalizing relations, and that the EU will closely monitor the process to ensure the agreement is not only accepted but also to create positive long-term cooperation between Kosovo and Serbia.

According to him, the fact that the summit was organized in Ohrid is a great indicator that North Macedonia is working on its European path.

He says the idea of forming the ZSO does not depend on the EU but on Kosovo, and that the interest should be the betterment of the people living there, without violating Kosovo's constitutionality.

- Implementation of the agreement is expected immediately, the dialogue will continue because we want the normalization plan to succeed. We want interaction between the two countries, for both to move quickly towards Euro-Atlantic integration - Escobar concluded, adding that the summit in Ohrid was not about mutual recognition but about finding a peaceful solution for reconciliation in the region.

Speaking about Russia's influence on right-wing movements in Serbia, Escobar said there is no evidence, but it is known that Russia, through media and social networks, tries to participate in the narratives of right-wing organizations that aim to slow down Euro-Atlantic integration.

- We believe Russia wants to complicate the implementation of the agreement, but this is a local problem and the solution must be local, and the solution is regional reconciliation - Escobar said, explaining that Russia was neither present nor mentioned at the summit.