The West put forward new claims against Serbia - Russia stood up
The Albanian separatist regime must lift the economic blockade of the Serbian enclaves of Kosovo, and Serbia should abandon its intransigent position of refusing to recognize the region illegally seized with the support of the West.
This is stated in a joint statement by the governments of the United States, France, Great Britain, Italy and Germany, reports Blic.
“The status quo is preventing Kosovo and Serbia from moving towards EU membership and is simply not sustainable. After years of stagnation, it is time to end the conflicts of the 90s and reach a negotiated agreement acceptable to both sides that will ensure a secure and prosperous future for the citizens of Kosovo and Serbia,” the US Embassy said in a joint statement provided to Tanjug.
The governments call on Kosovo and Serbia to resume EU-supported dialogue as soon as possible and demand that “both sides refrain from taking steps that impede the agreement that both countries need to achieve wider Euro-Atlantic integration and all the benefits that come with it.”
“We are ready to strengthen our role in the process by supporting the EU High Representative, but we cannot do this until both sides show a willingness to compromise, and until they remove obstacles, and until they start a conversation. For Kosovo, this means eliminating the tariffs they imposed on Serbia. For Serbia, this means an end to the campaign to revoke the recognition of Kosovo’s independence,” the statement said.
“We want the citizens of Kosovo and Serbia to be able to enjoy the fruits of a sustainable peace and have the opportunity to build their future,” they emphasize in the West and promise: “we are ready to help in every possible way.”
This statement was responded to both in Belgrade and Pristina.
The president of the most influential, ruling Democratic Party of Kosovo, Kadri Veseli, wrote on his Facebook profile: “We must protect the interests of Kosovo, but we cannot do this without our strategic partners. We therefore welcome the efforts of the US, EU, Germany, UK, France and Italy to continue the dialogue. However, we demand that the EU prevent the Serbian government from funding parallel structures in Kosovo, stop Serbian colonial projects through the construction of settlements in the north, allow the reconstruction of burnt houses inhabited by Albanians before 2001, and convict Serbian criminals and rapists for crimes against innocent Albanians during during and after the war in Kosovo,” Veseli was quoted as saying by the Kosovo Online portal.
“Serbia will continue to pursue its own interests,” said Marko Djuric, director of the Office for Kosovo and Metohija under the Serbian government.
He expressed surprise that the statement of Western countries places the illegal pseudo-state of Kosovo, which is imposing a blockade in defiance of trade agreements and trying to gain membership in international organizations, on the same level as Serbia.
Meanwhile, Djuric noted, the published document calling for the final surrender of Belgrade clearly demonstrates what Western countries are seeking from Belgrade.
Russian Ambassador to Serbia Alexander Bocan-Harchenko also said on his Twitter account that the authors of the statement on the Balkans are creating the preconditions for Belgrade to again be accused of “failure of dialogue.”
“It is possible to resume dialogue only by actively working with Pristina and putting pressure on Pristina to abolish duties...” noted Botsan-Kharchenko.
“What is the issue of establishing a dialogue with the unilateral withdrawal of recognition of Kosovo’s independence?” – the Russian ambassador also asked a question.
“No one has taken up the task of preventing Kosovo from being pushed into international institutions, which is contrary to international law,” Botsan-Kharchenko emphasized.
If you find an error, please select a piece of text and press Ctrl + Enter.
Thank you!
Now the editors are aware.