Hill: Lajcak is working on a solution that will not be imposed; dialogue can bring certain progress

US Ambassador to Serbia Christopher Hill assessed in an interview with Blic that imposed solutions could not last long but added that he believed that the EU's Special Envoy for the Belgrade-Pristina dialogue, Miroslav Lajcak, is working to find a solution for the process that would not be imposed, emphasizing that "Serbia had done its homework and prepared well."

Hill characterized the recent high-level meeting in Brussels as challenging.

"Well, my impression is that it was a tough meeting. But I think people need to understand that what is happening with this Brussels dialogue is actually two sets of negotiations. These are negotiations between the Serbian side and the EU and the Kosovo side and the EU. I did not attend the negotiations, and there were no Americans there either. But certainly, based on what I have read, Josep Borrell said that the Serbian side had come well-prepared and fundamentally agreed with what the EU had proposed," Hill said.

He added that the EU bore a great responsibility.

"They have put a lot of effort into it, and I think the United States has taken a fairly principled stance that we will support Mr. Borrell. If he is satisfied, we will be as well; if he is not satisfied, we will be very dissatisfied. So, I hope this process can continue. By doing so, Serbia can continue to work toward EU membership. These are really tough negotiations, but I think Serbia has done its homework and prepared well," Hill assessed.

Hill emphasized that he believed the dialogue could still bring about certain progress.

"I would not say that nothing can be achieved through the Belgrade-Pristina dialogue. I think Miroslav Lajcak is working very diligently to find a solution that will not be imposed. You know, solutions that are imposed do not last long. You want solutions that will naturally come. I am sure Mr. Lajcak is working on them. I am proud of the support that the United States provides to Mr. Lajcak. I have worked on peace processes, and I know how difficult it is, no matter what you do, someone will be upset," Hill said.

He added that he applauded Lajcak and was pleased that the US was involved in the process through Special Envoy Gabriel Escobar.

"I would like to see this issue resolved; I know it is difficult for everyone. But I think Serbia has a bright future, and I would like to see it focus on that," Hill said.

Commenting on Escobar's statement that he expects an agreement by the end of the year, the US Ambassador in Belgrade said that he did not know if he could set a deadline, but that the deadline set by the US Special Envoy seemed "reasonable" to him.

Hill also mentioned the path Serbia should take when it comes to choosing between Russia and the West, a topic he has addressed several times before.

"The direction in which Serbia is going is up to Serbia itself to decide; it does not depend on me, my country, and certainly not on Russia. Let me repeat, I would rather focus on the relationship between Serbia and the United States than talk about Russia. But I can say one thing about Russia, and that is that it has taken a terrible path, and I do not know where or how it will emerge. Serbia needs to understand that no matter what it thought Russia was, Russia is different now. This underscores the point that Serbia must find its own path," Hill stated.

Regarding sanctions against Russia, he said that no one liked sanctions and added that it would be normal for countries aspiring to join the EU to align their foreign policy with the Union's policy.

Speaking about the upcoming elections in the US next year and the possible change in policy, Hill said that he "never interferes in the internal affairs of other countries, not even in his own country."

"Obviously, I can understand why everyone in the world is concerned about American elections, to the extent that they may want to vote in them. What I can say is that there is a growing consensus in the US that it is necessary to improve relations with Serbia and the need to be friends and partners again. I have said this before, and I will say it to you as well. I really think the logic of the situation is such that Serbia should be an ally; alliances are good. You know, if you walk alone, you will be fast, but you will get farther if you walk in company. I think the United States would be proud to see Serbia as a partner again in an alliance," Hill emphasized.