Hill: The US insists that the CSM be formed

The Ambassador of the United States of America to Serbia, Christopher Hill, said today that the US was absolutely committed to the full implementation of what was agreed upon in the Brussels Agreement, including the formation of the Community of Serb-majority Municipalities (CSM), RTV reports.

"We really insist that what was agreed must be implemented, so we are talking about the original Brussels agreement. I am not saying that the Franco-German agreement is not at variance with the Brussels agreement. They are certainly connected. The concept that the previous agreement must be implemented is a part of the Franco-German agreement," Hill said on K1 television.

When asked about the Washington Agreement, Hill replied that he had not wanted to bypass it and that it had been important, because he had been committed to the economy to ensure that Belgrade and Pristina could solve some issues that directly affected the lives of people on the ground.

The point was, Hill pointed out, to implement the solutions that had already been agreed upon in the Brussels Agreement.

"I think we should return to the fundamental question, which is the future of the Serbian community in Kosovo. They have lived there for centuries and must know what their future is. So the fundamental question is to deal with what originates from the original Brussels agreement, which is the CSM. It absolutely must be implemented, if we expect anyone to have confidence in future agreements," the American ambassador said.

Regarding the deadlines for the formation of the CSM and the implementation of the Franco-German agreement, Hill believes that the deadlines mentioned in the media are reasonable and realistic and that the CSM could be formed by the summer and the Franco-German proposal could be implemented by the end of the year.

"I think people must work every day to find a solution. I think it is realistic to propose that it happen this year, that's why I think this year is significant, I think the proposal is positive and can be implemented," Hill said.

He pointed out that the US absolutely supported what the Europeans had done, especially the Franco-German proposal.

"We are talking about a solution for Serbia, the Balkans, and Europe. The US has long-term interests in the continent and in this region. I think what we should do is talk to the Europeans about it," Hill said.

He emphasizes that it is important that things calm down, that tensions are not created, and that people who want to create them are not given the opportunity to do so.

"I haven't been here for 20 years, but I've been to other places, including North Korea. So, if you're disappointed with the situation in Serbia, look at North Korea, and you'll see that the situation in the Balkans is not so bad," Hill said. 

He adds that it is clear to him that what worries people in Serbia is who will guarantee the signed agreements, because the Brussels agreement was signed in 2013, but it was not implemented, even though so much time has passed.

"We want to be a part of the process and guarantee the implementation of the outcome of his agreement. If you want to invest in any country, you want it to be in a safe place and you will not have political problems. So it's all part of one big problem," the American ambassador to Serbia concluded.