State Department on Osmani’s claim that the US does not call for the CSM: Dialogue mediated by EU the only path to normalization

The normalization of relations between Kosovo and Serbia is key to peace and stability, and dialogue mediated by the EU is the path for Pristina and Belgrade to move forward in normalizing relations, a State Department spokesperson told Kosovo Online.

“Normalization of relations between Kosovo and Serbia is essential for achieving lasting peace and stability. The EU-facilitated dialogue is the established channel for Pristina and Belgrade to advance toward normalization,” the response stated to a Kosovo Online inquiry about the State Department’s position on the establishment of the Community of Serb Municipalities and whether the Brussels dialogue platform is the defined path for both sides toward normalization. The question was posed in light of former Kosovo President Vjosa Osmani’s claim that during her mandate she managed to convince the US that the CSM should not be a requirement for Kosovo.

Osmani referred to a recent letter from Donald Trump, which she said contained a clear statement on the stance and support for Kosovo’s territorial integrity.

“It clearly states that the United States strongly supports the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Republic of Kosovo. There is no mention of dialogue with Serbia, no concessions, and no CSM anywhere. We achieved this through a lot of work. Reaching a situation in which the US does not request the CSM at any meeting, I believe, is the greatest achievement,” Osmani said.

The establishment of the Community of Serb Municipalities is an obligation of Pristina under the 2013 Brussels Agreement, which has not been fulfilled to date.