Montgomery: The West is more and more aware that Kurti is an obstacle for a productive dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina

The former US Ambassador to Serbia William Montgomery said today that the West was increasingly noticing that the Prime Minister of Kosovo, Albin Kurti, was an obstacle to a productive dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina. He expressed the expectation that the ongoing visit of American officials, as well as those that follow, would contribute that everyone effectively deals with that problem, RTV reports.

"The interest of this visit and future visits is not so much related to Serbia, as it is to Kurti, because in the West they are increasingly realizing that Kurti is a real problem that prevents productive dialogue. That is why I hope that this visit and others that follow will contribute that effectively deal with that problem", Montgomery told Tanjug when asked how he saw the visit of US officials to Belgrade and Pristina and the steps that would follow in the coming weeks and months.

Montgomery emphasized that progress "unless and until they do that" can no longer be expected, but he also warned that the West, aware of the fact that no awards such as membership could be implemented, could reach out with some kind of sanctions against Serbia.

"As far as Serbia is concerned, I can't imagine any rewards that would encourage Serbia to change its position on Kosovo. That's why I wonder and fear that the EU and the US will hint at the use of some kind of sanctions to encourage Serbia's cooperation. This would be counterproductive, especially because the problem lies with Kurti," Montgomery said.

He added that there was a growing sense of concern in the US and the EU about the possibility of violence in Kosovo and Bosnia and Herzegovina, which, he emphasized, explained the number of missions, visits, meetings and conferences.

Montgomery emphasized that solving both problems required imagination and the willingness of the West to play hard.

According to him, the key to solving them is actually in the hands of the EU and the US.

"This includes the recognition that the Dayton Peace Agreement is no longer effective in dealing with the existing challenges in Bosnia and Herzegovina. In fact, it has become an obstacle to a permanent solution. So, until the West recognizes this fact, the problem will continue," Montgomery assessed.

He reiterated that the EU must also admit that its "magical solution" of EU membership was no longer effective.

He added that it was true that many, if not the majority, in the EU did not want further enlargement at all, let alone to the Balkans, which had constant problems.

"The long-term goal of the EU and the US in Kosovo is independence within the current borders, for Serbia to recognize it, as well as the cessation of hostilities. They also want Serbia to accept the EU's policy towards Russia (although some of its members do not)," Montgomery said and emphasized that the immediate concern of the West is to end the real possibility of violence between Pristina and Belgrade.

Montgomery stressed that he expected all messages from Washington to be based on those points.

He also reminded that the USA and the EU were also too worried about Russian influence in the region.