The Deputy Assistant Secretary of the United States for European and Eurasian Affairs, Gabriel Escobar has stated that Kosovo has very strong security guarantees from the USA.
This assertion was made in an interview in Pristina for Radio Evropa e Lire when asked how the US views the statement by the president of Serbia, Aleksandar Vucic, that Serbia will ask KFOR to return its forces to Kosovo on December 15.
"We oppose this categorically. We reject this categorically, we do not support this at all. I also want to say that Kosovo has very strong security guarantees from the USA", he said.
Asked what would be the reaction of the USA if Belgrade would really undertake an armed incursion in the north, the diplomat pointed out:
"First, I don't expect this, and second, I am repeating it. Kosovo has strong security guarantees from the US, manifested through its participation in KFOR."
Escobar says that the barricades in the north of Kosovo should be removed by the people who erected them, but he asks the Government of Kosovo to find ways to address the concerns of the Serbian community in the north.
Escobar also says that the formation of the Association of Serbian municipalities in Kosovo is an obligation, both for Kosovo and Serbia, as well as for the EU, which mediated its negotiation.