The US shares the aspiration of all countries in the Western Balkans, including Kosova and Serbia, to build greater regional economic integration, to promote regional stability, democracy and multi-ethnic societies, and to protect the rule of law, and we will continue to do so, to work closely with our partners in the region, European partners through dialogue facilitated by the EU, NATO, OSCE and others, Ambassador Robert Wood, Alternate Representative of the United States of America for Special Political Affairs in the United Nations, stated.

“When we look at the history of the region in recent years, we see great progress. But we also continue to see, very often, uncoordinated or escalating actions on the part of Serbia and Kosova that delay progress,” he emphasized.

“Seven months have already passed since the Serbian paramilitary attack on the Kosovo Police near the Banjska Monastery in the north of Kosova. Serbia has made no significant progress in holding to account those involved, including the self-proclaimed mastermind of the attack, Milan Radoicic. We demand full accountability in accordance with the rule of law. It is important that Serbia works with KFOR to prevent another attack like the one on September 24 from happening again,” he added.

“We were deeply concerned by the disruption of freedom of movement for Kosovar citizens transiting Serbia on April 17, along with the detention of Kosovar citizens, including ethnic Serbs serving in the Kosova Police. This action was a violation of past agreements on freedom of movement and a form of intimidation of Kosova Serbs participating in the civic life of Kosova,” said Wood.

“We also remain concerned about the recent uncoordinated actions taken by the Government of Kosova, including the implementation of the amended Regulation of the Central Bank of Kosova on Cash Operations, which are not in line with Kosova’s commitment worked out through the EU-facilitated Dialogue. These actions affect the well-being of vulnerable and non-majority communities and undermine the path towards normalization between Kosova and Serbia,” he emphasized.

We urge both sides to take concrete steps forward through EU-facilitated dialogue on all their commitments, including finding a solution to the currency issue and progress towards the establishment of the Association of Serb-Majority Municipalities.”Dialogue is the agreed and only way for normalization between Serbia and Kosova and progress towards EU institutions membership,” said Wood.

“We appreciate the efforts made by Kosovar election officials to allow all citizens of Kosova registered in the four municipalities to participate in this democratic process. We note that there is no decision by the voters to recall the elected presidents and that they remain in place according to the legal framework of Kosova,” Wood concluded.

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