Escobar: The Kosovan Serbs' withdrawal from the institutions not a solution, CSM formation legally binding for Kosovo

The US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State and Special Envoy for the Western Balkans, Gabriel Escobar, expressed his hope that Belgrade and Pristina would reach an agreement in the coming days, with the support of the EU's special representative, in order to reduce tensions in the north of Kosovo, and stressed that the US actively supported these efforts.

In an interview with Tanjug, Escobar called on Belgrade and Pristina to show maximum flexibility and to reach an agreement in the coming days, to calm the situation before the November 21 deadline, after which the Kosovo authorities announced that they would fine owners of vehicles with Serbian plates who did not re-register their plates to RKS (Republic of Kosovo).

"The included parties should then double their obligations towards the dialogue, including the implementation of already signed agreements, which means the beginning of negotiations on the establishment of the Community of Serb-majority Municipalities (CSM)," he said.

When asked how he saw the solution to the overall situation in the north of Kosovo, whether he believed that a compromise could be reached, considering that the request of the Serb List (Serb minority political party in Kosovo) which withdrew from all Kosovo institutions, was in compliance with the Brussels Agreement, primarily the formation of the Community of Serb-majority Municipalities, Escobar said that the United States agreed with the European Union that recent events were worrying.

"The withdrawal of Kosovan Serbs from Kosovo institutions is not a solution to the current disputes and has the potential to further escalate tensions on the ground. All parties must take steps to reduce tensions and ensure peace and stability. Actions and rhetoric that increase the possibility of violence put innocent lives and the lives of international peacekeepers on the ground at unnecessary risk," he said.

When it comes to the establishment of the Community of Serb-majority Municipalities, Escobar says: "The Kosovo Parliament ratified the Brussels Agreement, and the Constitutional Court of Kosovo decided that it is necessary to establish the Community of Serb-majority Municipalities, which makes its formation a legally-binding obligation for Kosovo."

When asked if there were US diplomatic activities on this issue, Escobar said that there was "a full partnership with colleagues from the EU".

"We are fully engaged through the Quint activities. Since European integration is an aspiration of both countries, this process should of course be led by the European Union. The United States is closely engaged with the European Union, with both parties, and with European partners, in full support of this process. Politically, financially, through capacity building, and through every other mechanism, we have to ensure the end result creates long-term stability for the region. The United States has been actively engaged in supporting the EU's efforts to manage the current situation," he said.

When asked about the Franco-German proposal for the solution to the Kosovo issue, Escobar said that the details of the proposal were being discussed in the context of the EU dialogue.

"We strongly support it. I assume that greater engagement with the public will begin after the talks between the two governments," Escobar said.

"Progress towards the normalization of Belgrade-Pristina relations through dialogue, with the mediation of the EU, remains very important for regional and European stability, at a time when we are faced with Russia's aggression in Ukraine and the crises that Putin's brutal and unjustified invasion has caused throughout Europe," he emphasized.

When asked if he planned to come to Belgrade and Pristina soon, Escobar said: "At this moment, I have no planned trips."