The US special envoy for the Western Balkans, Gabriel Escobar has stated that if Kosova and Serbia do not accept the European Union’s Plan to de-escalate the conflict between them, there could be an even bigger crisis.

According to Escobar, the agreement reached in Ohrid between Prishtina and Belgrade creates the right conditions to increase the European integration.

“If these two parties do not accept the EU Plan to calm the conflict, there could be an even bigger crisis. I must be very clear; this is not a European process. In Ohrid, it was about a normalization agreement to create peaceful conditions between two hostile neighbors according to European rules. They, not only normalized their relations, but also harmonized with the EU. We must return to this. I believe that this agreement creates the right conditions increase European integration. In the meantime, a series of destabilizing actions took place. This distracted us from the presentation of that agreement. We must return to this,” said Escobar, on Croatian TV.

He further stated that Josep Borrell and Miroslav Lajcak presented the three simple steps that, according to him, would help in calming the situation and in the process of normalizing the dialogue between Kosova and Serbia.

“Josep Borrell and Miroslav Lajacak presented three simple steps. The first step is to get people off the streets. Mayors should not be elected to deflect attention”.

– We need new elections with unconditional participation of Serbs. We also need a deadline for the Serbian implementation of its part and a draft charter of the communities of Serbian municipalities in Kosova. It is about equality, equity and benefits for both parties”, he emphasized.

/a.p./