The US special envoy for the Western Balkans, Gabriel Escobar, has stated that the Association is an obligation for Kosovo, while he requested that Pristina come up with a proposal as soon as possible. In an interview for the German newspaper DiePress, Escobar said that the Association is legally binding, while referring to the opposition of the Prime Minister of Kosovo, he said that it does not depend on Albin Kurti.

“This will not be a new Serbian Republic like Bosnia and Herzegovina. The establishment of the Serbian Association of Municipalities in Kosovo is an international commitment, legally binding. They are mentioned in the Brussels Agreement, the European Council Conclusions and the Ohrid Agreement. And there is also a US commitment to this. So, the Serbian Association of Municipalities should come. The question is: what will it look like? If Kosovo does not want a new Serb Republic like Bosnia, it should give us an idea of what it wants. They told us what they don’t want. Now they have to tell us what they want. We are waiting for this. Kosovo should immediately move here and give us a draft agreement, because of the Ohrid Agreement. It’s not up to Kurti. This is not a matter between Kurti and Serbia. This is an issue between the Republic of Kosovo and the Republic of Serbia. Even if Kurti doesn’t want to, this community association will come. The question is: does Kosovo want to wait for Euro-Atlantic integration until its prime minister fulfills his legal obligations?”, Escobar said.

On the other hand, Belgrade, according to Escobar, must signal that violence will not be accepted.

“We must break the cycle of violence. The government of Kosovo should not force Albanian mayors in the north to go through municipal offices, which are so symbolic for Serbs. However, the administrative work must continue. Serbia’s leadership, on the other hand, must send a clear message: Violence will not be tolerated – not against the KFOR peacekeeping force and not against the police. And then we have to look for a way to create a greater trust – even if it means new elections for the mayor”,Escobar was quoted as saying.

/k.s/