Escobar: An agreement between Kosovo and Serbia, a matter of weeks

2022-10-19 21:57:54Kosova&Bota SHKRUAR NGA REDAKSIA VOX
Escobar: An agreement between Kosovo and Serbia, a matter of weeks
Gabriel Escobar

The US Special Envoy for the Western Balkans, Gabriel Escobar, has stated that an agreement on a future between Kosovo and Serbia is a matter of weeks.

Escobar has said that it is up to both parties and the mediators to set the timelines.

"I have heard my European colleagues talk that this is a matter of weeks and not years. For an agreement, for the way forward. Therefore, beyond that, it is up to both parties and the mediator to set timelines, but it should be quick. Considering the context of what is happening, everyone must take responsibility to create stability, not only in Europe, but also in the region", he stated on Kanal 10.

Escobar further said that the deadline set by the Government of Kosovo for the pre-registration of vehicles with RKS license plates should be postponed for ten months and that it would be good if the response of the Government of Kosovo was positive.

Escobar said that neither President Vjosa Osmani nor Prime Minister Albin Kurti have committed to this.

"Kosovo has the right to implement this, but we want to implement it peacefully so that it does not raise tensions and distract us from some things that we need to do. It is no secret that we asked for a longer implementation period and we asked for another 10 months. I would like that to happen. This is not only a request of the US, but of the entire Quinte. And this is because we are the countries that support Kosovo the most. We have not received an answer from the Kosovar side, we are still waiting", said Escobar.

Escobar stated that the US supports the Franco-German dialogue plan.

"Yes, we fully support it. And I must add that we have always supported the recognition of Kosovo as an independent and sovereign state. I think that recognition from Serbia will happen, it will have to happen at a later stage. But what is important for Kosovo is to start a more stable path towards integration into Euro-Atlantic structures, including recognition by the five EU member states that do not recognize Kosovo. That's the most important thing you can take away from anything else in the process," Escobar said.


Video