Hill: Dialogue in a difficult situation, I am glad that the Serbian side is ready to talk

American Ambassador in Belgrade, Christopher Hill, stated that the dialogue between Serbia and Kosovo is obviously in a difficult situation, but that comprehensive normalization is a prerequisite for everything, and progress in this process is necessary.

"At the moment, we are a bit discouraged. We truly support and continue to support the Brussels dialogue. We believe it is the right path, the only right path. I think real efforts need to be made to achieve some progress because many months have passed without much happening. So, I think we have some problems with that at the moment. I am glad to see that the Serbian side came ready to talk. That is important," Hill said in an interview with Blic.

When asked if he expects the situation to change in the near future, he said he cannot predict the future because he barely understands the past here but believes that what is on the table makes sense.

"It makes sense to have the Community of Serb Municipalities. It makes sense to reduce tensions. It really makes sense to strive for Pristina and Belgrade to have a better relationship than they have now. So, that is the right goal, but obviously, the dialogue is currently in a difficult situation," Hill noted.

When asked if any constructive dialogue can be discussed without forming the CSM, he reiterated that he wouldn't want to interfere in Miroslav Lajcak's work, but would like to see effort and endeavor.

"I know that some such discussions exist through various foundations or institutions, but I think there should be more of that—to understand the logic of why the dialogue really needs to progress," the American ambassador added.

When asked if he sees Western policy on the Kosovo issue as successful, given the situation with the dinar, the ban on the import of Serbian goods, several unsuccessful rounds of dialogue in Brussels, he stated that this has been a difficult year for dialogue, and when dialogue doesn't work, other methods are used, which are always worse.

"So, there is no doubt that there is a lot of concern about that, but again, until someone offers a better idea, and I haven't heard a better idea than dialogue, I think it should be supported even more strongly. I hope that is what we will see in the coming weeks and months," Hill said.

Recalling his recent statement that he believes formal recognition of Kosovo will not be a condition for Serbia's entry into the EU, but rather normalization of relations, he said he is merely repeating the European Union's goals for the dialogue, and they are clear—they seek comprehensive normalization, normalization that is legally binding.

"In other words, there can't be normalization on Tuesday and it not working on Wednesday. So, comprehensive, legally binding normalization. That is a big task. It is really difficult to achieve, as suggested by the events of the past few months. As for the future, we will see what happens. I think comprehensive normalization is an absolute prerequisite for anything else. I hope we will be able to see that realized," Hill said.

Commenting on the events surrounding the "Mirdita, dobar dan" festival, he said he does not understand why an artistic event funded by the EU is considered a security problem, adding that the festival has been very successful over the past ten years.

"It is a very good example for Serbia, as it shows how to cooperate with others in the region. So, for me, it is disappointing and surprising. I simply do not understand why this opportunity would be missed. I know there are many tensions. I know the political conditions are difficult at the moment, but when we talk about young people participating in an artistic event, I hope the event will continue," said the US ambassador.

When pointed out that Serbia has not imposed sanctions on Russia, but that there are no longer such loud insistences from the US and the EU in this regard, and asked what has changed, he replied that he is not sure anything has changed in that respect.

"I believe that the EU is one of the most exceptional experiments on the European continent in the last few centuries. I think they are trying to align member states in terms of foreign policy and security obligations. Therefore, it is quite understandable why this issue is very important for the European Union. I think we are trying to broadly focus on where Serbia stands on some of these key international issues. Serbia has been very helpful regarding Ukraine. Serbia has been very helpful in the UN. They have also assisted in other areas, especially in areas of humanitarian aid. That is very important to us. And I hope they can find a way to progress towards the EU because I think one of the main American goals here in Serbia is to ensure that Serbia understands its interests in achieving EU membership. We want that process to move forward. It seems that the Serbian citizens want it, and we want what they want," Hill said.

Regarding the relations between Belgrade and Washington, he says he is pleased with the progress made, but on the other hand, there is more that can be done.

"Progress does not mean you have to agree on everything, but progress means you have to have respect for the views of others. So, I think more can be done, although I am very pleased to often see the Ohio National Guard here. I was very pleased to recently see the Commander of the U.S. Air Forces in Europe, actually the Commander of NATO's Air Forces in Europe, General Hecker, a four-star general, who was recently here. So, I think we are cooperating a lot," Hill said.

He added that he is not here to tell Serbia what to do.

"We are not here to tell them to do things they do not want to do. Serbia needs to come to the conclusion, as it has, that it can have very productive, successful relations with the U.S. And one more thing I would add, and that is in the economy. The U.S. is the largest trading partner with Serbia, and that means a lot. Our companies are very satisfied, and we have a good American Chamber of Commerce here," added the ambassador.

Regarding relations between states in the Western Balkans, he says those relations are one area where he would like to see much more effort invested, as well as more regional cooperation in the process of European integration, similar to the Visegrad Group.

"I think Open Balkan is a very positive example, but it is clear that much more needs to be done. We must be honest, there is a lot of mistrust in the Balkans, but I think there needs to be more regional cooperation, and a situation where the president of one country can call the president of a neighboring country and have a good conversation. That cannot come solely from the U.S. or the EU, there must be an awareness among the states themselves, they must talk to each other, not through intermediaries or similar processes," Hill said.