Kasanof: The US supports dialogue; Kosovo and Serbia must fulfill all their obligations

The United States strongly supports the EU-mediated dialogue and expects Kosovo and Serbia to fulfill all their obligations arising from the Brussels-Ohrid Agreement, stated U.S. Special Envoy for the Western Balkans Alexander Kasanof at the end of his visit to Pristina. He added that uncoordinated actions by the Government of Kosovo complicate America's efforts to effectively advocate for Kosovo.

"The U.S. strongly supports the EU-mediated dialogue and expects Kosovo and Serbia to fulfill all their obligations arising from the Brussels-Ohrid Agreement. This includes submitting the draft statute of the Community of Serb Municipalities to the Constitutional Court," he told reporters, indicating what he conveyed to Kosovo President Vjosa Osmani and Prime Minister Albin Kurti.

During his visit to Kosovo, Kasanof presented the demands he made to President Osmani and Prime Minister Kurti, as well as his goals for Kosovo.

"There are many U.S. officials who have pointed out that uncoordinated actions by the Government complicate our ability to effectively advocate for Kosovo. In meetings with the president and the prime minister, I reiterated our desire for a more effective partnership with them," emphasized the U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of State.

He expressed satisfaction with the Kosovo Government's decision to allow the unrestricted movement of goods from Serbia.

"I also said we are pleased with the continued flow of goods and that Kosovo has managed to secure its place in CEFTA and the Berlin Process," the U.S. envoy noted.

Among other points, he emphasized that the U.S. remains committed to the sovereignty and multiethnic democracy that is, as he put it, being built in Kosovo.

"We also continue to support Kosovo's Euro-Atlantic integration and its integration into European structures, especially at this time, when we see so many changes in Europe. We believe this is still the rightful place for Kosovo, and we want to work with Kosovo on that and continue to pursue that goal," he said.

When asked if U.S. elections could in any way affect America's approach to the Western Balkans or the Kosovo-Serbia dialogue, Kasanof said that this would not happen.

"U.S. foreign policy is based on our national interests, and it is unlikely that our national interests will change to such an extent that it would dramatically affect our calculations or policy regarding Kosovo," Kasanof emphasized.

He noted that his first visit to Kosovo was aimed at gaining insight into the situation on the ground.

"I've learned a lot, and I will relay that information when I return to Washington," Kasanof said.