Hovenier: There is no other path for Kosovo and Serbia than dialogue

The US Ambassador to Pristina, Jeffrey Hovenier, stated that he expects both Belgrade and Pristina to fully comply with all their obligations from the dialogue and added that "there is no other path."

"For those who have been in Kosovo for some time, you are probably familiar with the US messages about how we see the circumstances surrounding efforts to advance the normalization of relations between Kosovo and Serbia, with the ultimate goal of mutual recognition. This remains the goal of the United States, plain and simple. I don't think I need to spend time outlining the concerns we have regarding the policies adopted in Belgrade and Pristina. These concerns are real and well-documented. We expect both governments to act in complete compliance with all the obligations they have undertaken in the dialogue. We expect them to take the dialogue seriously," Hovenier said at the Kosovo Summit for Peace and Democracy in Pristina.

He emphasized that he was surprised by the discussions in Kosovo suggesting there might be another path besides dialogue.

"There is a suggestion that if the Americans or Germans, or whoever you like, would simply wave a magic wand or have the right conversation, these problems would go away, and Kosovo would immediately become a full member of NATO and the EU, and all the rest. The world doesn’t work that way, and I must be clear about that. So, if it were solely up to the US, if we were an empire, a Roman Empire at its peak, and all countries bowed before us and did exactly what we directed, which is not the case in the world today, although we believe we have significant influence globally, but we are not alone, we would see Kosovo much better integrated into European and Euro-Atlantic institutions. Serbia would have come to greater terms with the reality of a sovereign, independent, multi-ethnic, democratic, and peaceful neighbor," the US Ambassador said.

He stressed that he does not see how Kosovo can become a member of the EU without the consent of the EU, which means the consent of all EU member states.

"I don’t see how you can become a full member of NATO without the consent of all NATO members. As you know, some of those states have still not officially recognized the reality of an independent, democratic, multi-ethnic Kosovo as we have. You have to convince them. We want to help. That means working within the processes established by the various institutions. My grandfather had a saying, and please pardon the slightly crass character to it: if you want to join a club, don’t pee on the club house door," he said.

Hovenier reiterated that the US wants to support Kosovo in its European and Euro-Atlantic integration.

"We have invested a lot, through presidents, secretaries of state, ambassadors, and others, to advance that. We are aware of the aspirations, the very legitimate aspirations of the people of Kosovo to achieve this. We want to help. We look to any government of Kosovo to give us the best possible arguments, the best possible ammunition in these conversations. The more we can show a sovereign, democratic, multi-ethnic, prosperous, and successful democracy, the easier it will be," he concluded.