Trump's hand: Kosovo and Serbia signed an agreement to normalize economic relations
At the White House, with the direct mediation of US President Donald Trump, Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic and Kosovo “Prime Minister” Avdullah Hoti signed an agreement on economic cooperation.
At the same time, Vucic said that only a bilateral agreement between Belgrade and Washington had been reached, since Pristina is not a recognized subject of international relations.
The signing ceremony of agreements between Kosovo and Serbia took place in the Oval Office of the White House, which is traditionally occupied by American presidents.
At the same time, small tables were placed on both sides of the US President’s table, Vucic and Hoti were seated at them, the President of Serbia and the “Prime Minister” of Kosovo signed their copies of the agreements, which they handed over to Tampa, who, in turn, sealed them with his signatures.
“Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic and Kosovo Prime Minister Avdullah Hoti are very brave people who came to Washington to make the Balkans an incredible region,” Trump said. “They made the world a safer place with this agreement.” We are proud of the two courageous leaders and the agreement. I look forward to further cooperation and hope to visit Serbia and Kosovo in the near future.”
“This is a good agreement for Serbia,” Vucic shared his opinion. “I and all members of the delegation are sincerely satisfied with what we have achieved. This is not a tripartite agreement. The difference is important. This agreement that Serbia concluded with the United States, the third party is not recognized as a subject of international law, which is important for us.”
Kosovo “President” Hashim Thaci, who remained in Pristina, welcomed the signing of the document with a post on his Twitter:
“I welcome the signing of an agreement between Kosovo and Serbia today in Washington. Thank you to the White House, Donald Trump and Richard Grenell for their leadership in this process. Kosovo will now continue to work towards economic development, job creation and further domestic and international consolidation.”
As part of the agreement reached, it was specifically agreed that Kosovo would join the so-called project "Balkan mini-Schengen", previously established by a trilateral agreement between Serbia, North Macedonia and Albania.
Washington also pledged to invest 1,1 billion euros in the construction of the Nis-Pristina highway, a billion euros in the reconstruction of the railway going in the same direction, and the American Development Agency intends to open its office in Belgrade.
However, both sides agreed to work together with the US Department of Energy and other US government agencies on a feasibility study that would share the energy resources of the disputed Gazivode reservoir, on the banks of which energy infrastructure facilities are located.
Washington also pledged to take under protection the objects of Serbian spiritual architectural heritage in Kosovo.
Tellingly, both Serbia and Kosovo signed agreements to normalize relations with Israel, within the framework of which Belgrade undertook to move its diplomatic mission from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.
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