US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs Gabriel Escobar said that when it comes to Kosovo and Serbia, the United States’ approach is to continue to support EU-mediated dialogue as a way to find a solution.

“We hope to be able to partner with both governments and support the solutions they find together,” Escobar said.

During a video speech at the 2BS forum held in Budva, Montenegro, the top US diplomat said that the United States possesses political and diplomatic mechanisms to oppose Russian interference in the internal affairs of Montenegro.

Asked about the US stance on the influence of pro-Serbian and pro-Russian parties in Montenegro, Escobar said a distinction should be made between the pro-Serbian and pro-Russian question.

“First of all, I do not see the pro-Serbian and pro-Russian issue as the same thing. Those pro-Serbian political forces in Montenegro must recognize that Montenegro must be democratic, independent, sovereign and Western-oriented and remain part of NATO. NATO membership and the integration process have made Montenegro an example for the region in the last 20 years, and for those parties that are really trying to undermine these, we have many ways to respond. Some of them are sanctions, as well as diplomatic and political isolation,” Escobar said.

To the question whether it is a bad message for the Western Balkans that at the last European Union summit, the green light was not given, a deadline for the membership of these countries, Escobar did not answer specifically.

/Klara Ruci/