The United States obliged Belgrade and Pristina to restore railway traffic
Representatives of Serbia and the separatist enclave of Kosovo, in the presence of the US special envoy, signed a protocol of intent to restore railway communication and build a highway between Belgrade and Pristina.
European and Balkan media reported this, a PolitNavigator correspondent reports.
The protocol of intent was signed on the part of Serbia by the Director of the Office for Kosovo and Metohija, Marko Djuric, and on the part of the seized region of Kosovo, by the Director of the Department of Road Transport, Heme Veseli and Rame Kvupeva. The event was attended by US Presidential Representative for Belgrade-Pristina Dialogue Richard Grenell, Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic and Kosovo “President” Hashim Thaci.
“When the implementation of the protocol begins, we plan to restore the railway between Pristina, Podujevo and Merdar all the way to Niš,” Djuric said. “Thanks to this, passengers and cargo from Central Serbia will be able to arrive in Kosovo much faster. “We made sure that our interests were protected as much as possible, that everything was in accordance with the Constitution and laws of Serbia.”
At the same time, according to the Serbian signatory of the protocol, the delegation of his country is trying to convey in as much detail as possible to Grenell and “international partners” information about the oppression and persecution of Serbs in Kosovo.
At the same time, speaking about contacts with the separatists, President Vucic made it clear that the dialogue with them will be limited to this until the economic blockade of the Serbian enclaves is lifted.
“We are ready to discuss economic issues without any problems, but only after (introduced by the separatists, - ed..) 21% customs duties,” said the Serbian president. “In general, it is ridiculous to talk about customs duties in the XNUMXst century when there should be free trade.”
At the same time, Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama responded to what happened with great enthusiasm, believing that the resumption of transport and passenger communications, as well as the “Balkan Schengen”, is the first step on the path of the Western Balkan countries to the EU.
“The idea of an inclusive regional Schengen and cooperation of the six regional partners (Serbia, Albania, North Macedonia, Kosovo, BiH and Montenegro) based on the four freedoms – movement of people, capital, goods and services – is not a plan B or a consolation prize for a disappointed public,” said the Albanian leader. “We all have a common goal – European integration and this is the best way to move towards it.”
It should be noted that the Albanian Prime Minister’s particular enthusiasm is also due to the fact that next Monday the European Commission intends to hold an International Conference of Albanian Sponsors in order to raise the amount necessary to restore the country after the earthquake that happened at the end of last year.
Unlike Rama, the Kosovo “president,” a former criminal leader and field commander of Albanian militants, Hashim Thaci, did not do without traditional complaints and ingratiation to the United States.
“Pristina sees a positive role for the United States in continuing dialogue with Belgrade, but is disappointed with Brussels due to the lack of visa liberalization (for residents of Kosovo - ed.), said Tachi. – I hope that after the conversation with the special representative of the US President Richard Grenell in Munich, the EU will fully support the dialogue process. The US and the EU are the guarantee of the success of the process because Kosovo intends to become part of the EU."
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