Escobar: The formation of the CSM obligations that must be implemented; the European proposal does not mean mutual recognition

The US envoy for the Western Balkans, Gabriel Escobar, expressed the hope that Serbia and Kosovo would implement the agreement they reached on February 27 in Brussels, stressing that the formation of the Community of Serb-majority Municipalities was an obligation that had to be implemented and that the European proposal did not mean mutual recognition but normalization of relations between Belgrade and Pristina.

Escobar stated that the US fully supported the dialogue mediated by the European Union, but that they were not part of it.

"We hope not to use sticks, but carrots. And they are clear. Not only are they approaching peaceful relations, but the path to European integration is also opening. We hope that both parties will fulfill their obligations," Escobar said.

Stating that the Community of Serb-majority Municipalities is an obligation that must be implemented, Escobar says that it was taken over by the Brussels Agreement and that there are expectations that it will be formed.

"Our position is that it should be formed in a way that represents a win for both parties," Escobar said.

When asked if Kosovo had deadlines for the formation of the Community of Serb-majority Municipalities, Escobar said that the question was how soon it would be formed.

"I believe that with this basic agreement, Kosovo has realized that it has to form the CSM. I don't want to set deadlines, but I want to say that the discussion should start immediately," Escobar said.

He adds that the Western Balkans remain a priority for the US.