Hill: The US does not approve or coordinate Kurti's actions, Serbia is acting correctly

U.S. Ambassador to Belgrade Christopher Hill emphasized that Washington has been very clear regarding Pristina's unilateral measures, stating that such actions deviate from the dialogue process. He added that Serbia has remained committed to dialogue, which he sees as the correct approach.

When asked about the belief in Serbia that Pristina’s recent actions were approved and coordinated by the U.S., Hill told RTS that this is "completely untrue."

"That is completely inaccurate. The U.S. has been very clear, absolutely clear, that the future of this situation should be resolved through dialogue, through the work being done by Ambassador Lajcak. We consistently support that. And I think we've also been quite clear in expressing our dissatisfaction when someone deviates from the dialogue or takes unilateral steps," said the U.S. ambassador.

He stressed that Serbia is adhering to dialogue, which is the correct approach.

"Our stance is that the dialogue has all the elements to resolve these problems, and these problems must be solved through dialogue," Hill said.

Hill reminded that the U.S. has clearly stated what it believes should be done, including its stance on the bridge over the Ibar River and the formation of the Community of Serb Municipalities (ZSO).

"We've sent very clear messages. We've been very clear that those who deviate from the dialogue deviate from our policy. Serbia has worked very hard on this and acted correctly by sticking to the dialogue. I encourage Serbia to continue with this approach," Hill emphasized.

When commenting on the invitation extended to Albin Kurti to the Democratic Party convention, which was perceived in Serbia as a "provocation," Hill acknowledged this but pointed out that it's important to understand where such invitations come from.

"So, when an NGO invites someone to a convention, I wouldn't draw major political conclusions from that. The fact is that the U.S. government, especially the State Department, has been very clear about where we see the future of this process, and that is through dialogue," Hill reiterated.

He also stated that the relationship between the U.S. and Serbia is growing and developing successfully.

"We have many shared interests. In fact, I believe we have a sort of strategic shared interest in terms of where we want to go. We are very concerned about regional issues, but we are also very concerned about what is happening in Ukraine. So, I think there are many positive signs regarding the direction in which the U.S.-Serbia relationship will develop. To be clear, Serbia has many challenges. One of those challenges, shared by many countries, is the question of where civil society fits. How are these issues managed? How is the balance between state power and individual rights, especially the right to free assembly and organization, maintained?" Hill said.

Regarding Kosovo, Hill reiterated that the U.S. supports Lajcak's efforts and the elements on the table.

"The primary element is the Community of Serb Municipalities, and we haven't moved away from that," Hill underscored.

Asked how he sees the U.S.'s role in the dialogue, Hill said that Washington and Brussels are trying to support each other.

"We are very close to Lajcak. I just saw him yesterday. We have a new envoy, Sasha Kozunov. He just met with Mr. Lajcak a few days ago. We remain in close contact, exchange views, and try to support each other," Hill said.

Regarding the attack on Serbian institutions in Kosovo, which occurred less than 24 hours after Serbia announced its decision to purchase French "Rafale" fighter jets, Hill was asked why Pristina was allowed to push Serbia back. He responded that he doesn't believe anyone has pushed Serbia back.

"I think Serbia is starting to make important strategic decisions. One of those decisions concerns the purchase of these 'Rafale' fighter jets. What Serbia is doing is not just buying planes, but also establishing a relationship with NATO's air forces. I think that's very important and will not be affected by the situation on the ground in Kosovo. That doesn't mean we shouldn't address the situation in Kosovo," Hill said.

He added that the recent visits of the French president and the German chancellor to Belgrade signify a very clear shift.

"We would like to see that continue, in line with the wishes of the Serbian people and leadership. We are not here to tell Serbia what to do or how to align itself. And I have made it clear during the years I have been here that I don't tell anyone what to do. They have to make their own decisions, and I believe those decisions are going in the right direction," the U.S. ambassador noted.

He reiterated that Serbia should stick to dialogue and the approach laid out by the EU, stating that "the extent to which Serbia adheres to that approach will help its aspirations toward the European Union."

"The European Union has made that very clear. And we have made it clear as well. Regarding provocations, events on the ground, and any unilateral decisions, I think both NATO and the EU have been very clear about that, and it's obvious we stand with both of those institutions. You know, it's hard to tell people they need to be patient. This is a difficult issue, but I believe that, when it comes to the impact on U.S.-Serbia relations, we are continuing to move forward together, and I expect that will continue in the future," Hill said.

When asked how the relations between Pristina and Belgrade and the existing problems affect Serbia's accession to the European Union, Hill stated that much has happened in recent weeks and months regarding the EU, not just in terms of membership but also in terms of opening doors for membership and providing a framework for the accession process.

"But these growth plans are very real and very important for the countries involved, especially for Serbia, which has a great interest in seeing how its access to European markets opens up. That's happening, and part of what makes that possible is how Serbia manages its dialogue with Mr. Lajcak," Hill said.

He believes that Serbia's path to the EU is realistic.

"It is very clear that Europe is making a strategic choice in favor of enlargement. Europe is talking about a timeframe in terms of enlargement, but it has also introduced another mechanism, which is the growth model. This will help countries that are not yet ready for full membership for various reasons, but it will allow them access to the EU's single market," Hill said.

He mentioned that the process is indeed a negotiation, even though people don't like to call it that.

"At every step, there is a dialogue between the candidate countries and the EU. And this dialogue is essentially a form of negotiation. There is no doubt that this process will continue. I also have no doubt that the EU understands its responsibility regarding enlargement, but it also understands the need to work with countries aspiring to membership and to provide answers to good questions. I believe this process is ongoing. And patience is a difficult thing. But, you know, one must consider what the alternative is. I don't think there are many alternatives. It’s also important to note that Serbia is not alone in this. There are several countries going through the same process. And more and more countries not only wish Serbia well but are actively working to help it. I'd like to think that the U.S. is one of those countries. France is certainly doing a lot. President Macron's visit was quite remarkable in its historical context. And I think that as the Serbs climb this long mountain, they should look back and see how far they've come because they have made significant progress," Hill said.

When it was pointed out that the people of Serbia want to see solid support on tough issues, like Kosovo, he said that is fair.

"This comes down to many very tactical questions about the best way to keep people focused on dialogue, the best way to avoid crises, and the best way to ensure you can build momentum. People are considering these things. The best way isn’t always through public statements," Hill said.