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Kurti/Escobar's statements: I am worried about the messages coming from Pristina

2023-09-22 08:43:03Kosova&Bota SHKRUAR NGA REDAKSIA VOX
Kurti/Escobar's statements: I am worried about the messages coming from
Gabriel Escobar

The envoy of the United States of America (USA) for the Western Balkans, Gabriel Escobar, said in an interview for Radio Free Europe (REL) that he is concerned with the messages coming from Pristina, in which the European emissary is criticized for the dialogue. Miroslav Lajcak.

Escobar said that he sees "no evidence of bias" in the mediator of the Kosovo-Serbia dialogue, Miroslav Lajcak.

"I see no evidence of collusion in the work to advance Serbia's interest in this," Escobar said. After the last unsuccessful round of dialogue for the normalization of relations between Kosovo and Serbia in Brussels, the European Union (EU) held the prime minister of Kosovo, Albin Kurti, responsible for the fact that there was no progress in the dialogue.

Kurti then declared that the EU special representative "was positioned against Kosovo". Esobar emphasized that the US expects both parties to "strengthen their commitment and for Kosovo to show more pragmatism and realism in its approach to the EU".

Radio Free Europe: Mr. Escobar, let me start with the Serbia-Kosovo dialogue. What do you see as a way out of the stalemate of the Serbia-Kosovo dialogue?

Gabriel Escobar: Look, at this moment there is no alternative but dialogue. So the important thing for both sides is to continue to stick to the dialogue. Now, I'm sure you've seen the statement of Mr. Borrell [Joseph]. We are really calling on the Kosovo side to be more constructive. And, I have to say that I am a little worried by the messages coming from Pristina. I worked with the special representative of the European Union [Miroslav Lajcak]. I see no evidence of bias. I see no evidence of collusion at work to advance Serbia's interest in this.

What we are trying to do, what the EU is trying to do is to create conditions for normalization and also for harmonization for integration in the European Union at the same time. So, I think the answer is for both sides to redouble their efforts, but for the Kosovar side to show more pragmatism and more realism in its approach to the European Union.

Radio Free Europe: So, do you think there could be additional measures against both sides if they do not move forward with the implementation of the Ohrid Agreement and its Annex? Is the US considering possible measures against both sides in that case?

Gabriel Escobar: I wouldn't say masses. I would say consequences. Now, I tell you that the consequences, which Kosovo faces, is that if they refuse to engage with the European Union, the European Union will not commit to additional aid and additional measures for integration.


Look, I think that these measures are having an impact on Kosovo and on the economy of Kosovo. I hope that at least bilaterally, the United States can work with Kosovo to find a way to lift those measures in 2024. So, we will continue to work with Kosovo to bring it closer to the European Union. . But we would like to see some political will and movement in that direction, too.

Radio Free Europe: Is there a deadline for this?

Gabriel Escobar: No, no… That's unfortunate. So, I mean, these measures are indefinite until there is some movement toward progress on both [the] Ohrid [Agreement] and an extension plan.

Radio Free Europe: Are the US and the EU on the same page when it comes to the Association of Serb-Majority Municipalities having to comply with the Constitutional Court ruling? I am asking this question because the EU spokesperson, Peter Stano, did not expressly admit today that the position of the EU is that the decision of the Constitutional Court should be taken into account during the establishment of the Association.

Gabriel Escobar: We have repeatedly said that the Association of municipalities with a Serbian majority should not create problems within Kosovo for functioning, they should be in accordance with its legal code, it should be in accordance with the Constitution. So within that, I still think there is a great capacity to allow the Serbs to manage their municipal services in a way that best suits their citizens, without becoming a Republika Srpska.

We have addressed it repeatedly. And, I'm disappointed that that talking point keeps coming up – that this is going to be Republika Srpska. It will not become [a Republika Srpska]. It is really about municipal authorities doing what municipalities already do in the Serbian language.

Radio Free Europe: I would like to spend a little time on Bosnia and Herzegovina. The Assembly of Republika Srpska, an entity of Bosnia and Herzegovina, has moved forward to adopt a law on foreign agents, similar to the one already in place in Russia. How do you comment on this?

Gabriel Escobar: Well, first of all, I would not say that it is similar to what is implemented in Russia. It is identical to the one implemented in Russia. So we see it as anti-democratic, we see it as dangerous and we see it as [an initiative] desperate by the authorities who are trying to silence independent journalists from pointing out all the shortcomings that the Government has already shown. So telling people, telling reporters that they can't tell the truth, doesn't hide the truth.

So, I think there is no way that this law can help bring Bosnia and Herzegovina, and especially Republika Srpska, closer to Europe. But I think that's the plan. I do not think that the president of the Republika Srpska, Milorad Dodik, intends to help the rapprochement of the Republika Srpska with Europe.

Radio Free Europe: Does High Representative Christian Schmidt have enough support considering recent developments and statements coming from Republika Srpska President Milorad Dodik that Mr. Schmidt would be deported if he tried to enter the Republic Serbia?

Gabriel Escobar: Well, first of all, he doesn't have that authority. But let me just say that the "High Representative" is described in the Dayton Peace Agreement. So he's an important part of Dayton. His legitimacy stems from Dayton and he has our full support, he also has the full support of the European Union. And not only that, but it also has the full support of the [Peace Implementation Council], the PIC.

Radio Free Europe: A question for North Macedonia and a question for Montenegro. Is the US satisfied with the fight against corruption in North Macedonia? So, I am asking this question in the context of the changes in the Criminal Code, which reduced the penalties for abuse by officials.

Gabriel Escobar: Well, I will say, to begin with, that corruption is the biggest problem for the Western Balkans. And, I think that all the countries of the Western Balkans can do more, including North Macedonia. And this is one of the reasons why we are constantly in favor [of] countries starting the reforms that the European Union requires.

In terms of specific information about changes to the Criminal Code, what I can say is that there are multiple levels of checks and balances, including through the European Union, that would require North Macedonia to ensure that its laws are not only in accordance with its Constitution, but also in accordance with European expectations and standards.

Radio Free Europe: When it comes to Montenegro and the formation of the next Government, in your last statement you said that the United States was very clear that they wanted the Government to consist exclusively of parties focused on European integration, parties dedicated to NATO and sharing the West's stance on Russia. If a part of pro-European forces or parties in Montenegro make a political agreement that would bring anti-Western and pro-Russian political forces into the Government, what could be the possible consequences?

Gabriel Escobar: All I can say is that now with Montenegro we have a very, very close relationship. Montenegro has proven itself to be not only a solid NATO ally, but also a good candidate for the European Union. We are extremely excited about the level of partnership we expect to enjoy with the new president and the new prime minister.

The President of Montenegro was well received in New York and he left a very positive impression on all those he communicated with from the US Government. And we all agreed in every statement that the biggest challenge to European security right now is unprovoked aggression against Ukraine. And, also yesterday, in the morning of [organized by the Adriatic Charter countries], A5, we made a statement about the need to support Ukraine against aggression from Russia. So, in the context of all this, I think that all our Balkan interlocutors, our Montenegrin interlocutors understand that now is not the time to give Russia a platform for intervention in the Western Balkans.


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