Senator Menendez: The solution between Kosovo and Serbia should be fair for both sides

2023-05-19 19:56:11, Kosova & Bota CNA

Senator Menendez: The solution between Kosovo and Serbia should be fair for both

Senator Bob Menendez, Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee

The future of the Kosovo-Serbia dialogue was at the center of a hearing on the Western Balkans held on Thursday in the Committee on Foreign Relations in the United States Senate.

In their reports, the Counselor of the American Department of State, Derek Chollet and the special envoy of the United States for the Western Balkans, Gabriel Escobar, spoke about the importance of the implementation of the Ohrid agreement and the creation of the association of municipalities with a Serbian majority in Kosovo.

But, in an interview for the Voice of America, after the session, the chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee, Senator Bob Menendez, said that pressure should not be unfairly applied to Kosovo, while he expressed concern that the Association could create instability.

The Chairman of the Committee on Foreign Relations in the Senate, Bob Menendez, says that the essence of stability in the Western Balkans is a final agreement between Kosovo and Serbia.

But, in an interview for the Voice of America, he says that this agreement must be fair to both parties.

"It seems clear that we have a lot of work to do. We are worried. This is an important part of the world and Europe. History shows us that conflicts can flare up quickly there. It is important to do the right thing and make sure that we do not unfairly put pressure on countries like Kosovo because of our desire to see a final solution. It must be a fair solution", says the Senator.

Referring to the influence in Bosnia and Herzegovina of the so-called "Serb Republic", Mr. Menendez criticized the increased pressure on Kosovo to create an association of municipalities with a Serbian majority, despite the concern that it may conflict with the country's Constitution.

"I am concerned about some of the proposals, such as the association of Serbian municipalities, and the likelihood that this may bring instability, instead of stability. We have seen it in the past in other countries. If they are not structured properly, they can create instability," Menendez told VOA.

He made these comments after the hearing on the Western Balkans of the Committee on Foreign Relations in the US Senate.

In this session, the Counselor of the US Department of State, Derek Chollet, and the special envoy of the United States for the Western Balkans, Gabriel Escobar, reported.

Both said that the Western Balkans is a priority for the administration of President Joe Biden.

Mr. Chollet said that the Ohrid agreement, reached on May 15 between Kosovo and Serbia, defines the path towards the normalization of relations between the two countries.

"This agreement can bring many benefits for Kosovo and Serbia. It is an important step forward in overcoming a cycle of crises that has characterized the relationship between these two countries for a long time. But it is very fragile. It takes work and political courage. We will continue to commit to the parties fulfilling their commitments", said Mr. Chollet.

But according to him, the main challenge is the implementation of the agreement.

"Unfortunately, we are not seeing much implementation of the agreement by either side. Therefore, we are engaged in intensive diplomacy to urge both countries to fulfill the agreement", said Mr. Chollet.

Belgrade accuses Kosovo of not fulfilling the agreements, with its refusal to create an association of municipalities with a Serbian majority.

While Prishtina accuses Belgrade of violating the Ohrid agreement, due to its stance against Kosovo's membership in international organizations.

The envoy of Washington for the Western Balkans, Gabriel Escobar, said that the Association will be created within the Constitution of Kosovo and based on European models that already exist.

"Our position is that the association is an existing legal obligation within the Brussels agreement. But, we have constantly told Kosovo that we will help shape it according to a European model, which does not violate its sovereignty, constitutional structure and functionality", said Mr. Escobar.

He added that the creation of an association according to these models does not allow a neighboring country to interfere with the constitutionality or legal structure of another country.

"What we want to see is the use of the association to prevent what Serbia is doing in the north of Kosovo, bringing it under the structure and laws of Kosovo. I do not see this as a concession to Serbia. I see this as a way for Kosovo to be at the service of the citizens who live in it", said Mr. Escobar.

However, neither Mr. Chollet nor Mr. Escobar specifically said how this compliance with the Constitution will be guaranteed.

While the leaders of Kosovo have said that the requirements that the establishment of the Association of municipalities with a Serbian majority is a prerequisite for the implementation of other points of the agreement on the normalization of relations with Serbia, harm the process of talks between the two sides, high American officials singled out precisely this issue, also in the framework of improving the chances for recognition by the five EU countries that have not recognized Kosovo and rapprochement with the EU.

In the session, legislators and senior officials expressed their concern about the situation in Bosnia, reaffirmed their support for the rapid membership of Albania and North Macedonia in the EU, as well as praised Montenegro's steps towards Europe./ VOA