Escobar: We demand from Kosovo to put the CSM issue on the agenda

The United States envoy for the Western Balkans, Gabriel Escobar, said that Kosovo must meet the demands of the West regarding license plates and the formation of a Community of Serb-majority Municipalities, and that he thinks it is clear to Serbia that the withdrawal of Serbs from Kosovo's institutions is useless.

In an interview for Voice of America, Escobar assessed the situation in the north of Kosovo as quite dangerous, because local institutions were left without Serbian officials.

"We have been very clear and open about what we expect from both parties. From the Kosovo side, we have requested a one-year implementation period to carry out a public information campaign and to prepare the vulnerable community to be ready to change car license plates. We also invite them to start with putting the issue of the Community of Serb-majority Municipalities on the agenda. This is a request. From our point of view and the point of view of our partners from Quinta, this is a request and we will remain firm. From the Serbian side, we believe that any protest should be peaceful, and the removal of Serbs from the institutions is not useful. I call on the parties to be ready to fulfill these requirements immediately," he said.

Escobar said that it was time for more dialogue and that the United States of America was very clear during the negotiation process about what the expectations from Kosovo are.

"We were also clear with the Serbian side that we agree that the issue of the Community of Serb-majority Municipalities should be on the agenda. I have spoken with a wide range of people within Kosovo who support this and who are willing to help Kosovo fulfill its international obligations on this issue", said Escobar.

Commenting on the statement of Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti that Serbia is trying to cover up the rejection of the Franco-German initiative for an agreement by trying to destabilize the situation in the north of Kosovo, Escobar pointed out that he did not agree with that.

"No, I don't think so. As for the Franco-German proposal, it is too early to weigh the answers. This situation, this crisis must be treated as it is. There are tensions that are growing because of the lack of communication, the lack of coordination and the lack of will to participate and fully by engaging in dialogue," Escobar said.

He emphasized that despite the results of the elections held on Tuesday in the United States of America, there will be no change in the American approach to the Western Balkans.

"Our position on the Western Balkans is that the region should be integrated into the community of Western democratic countries, which means membership in the European Union for all, membership in NATO for those who want it and regional integration for all in order to resolve the differences between them. So nothing will change as a result of the election," Escobar said.

As he pointed out, the USA remains committed to the security and stability of the Western Balkans.

"Actually, it was our efforts in coordination with our European allies that ensured the renewal of the resolution in the Security Council for the continuation of the peacekeeping mission in Bosnia. And above all, we have a strong commitment to the security and stability of Kosovo through KFOR," he said.