American Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Wednesday that if the agreement between Kosovo and Serbia is implemented, this would pave the way for the recognition of Kosovo by the five countries of the European Union that have not recognized it.

Secretary Blinken made the comments in response to a question from Democratic Senator Jeanne Shaheen regarding his efforts to convince the five EU countries that do not recognize Kosovo.

“It’s certainly an issue that we continue to raise, but I also think that this agreement, if it goes forward, actually puts us on a path toward recognition by these countries,” Secretary Blinken said. He admitted that recognition by Serbia is another matter and will take time.

“But if they (countries) reach a normalized relationship, this would have a positive effect and I believe that over time we will reach that point, but I think that for the five countries that do not recognize Kosovo’s independence, the fact that these countries (Kosovo and Serbia) have reached the agreement and assuming that they will implement it, this will push them towards recognition”, said Blinken.

The Secretary of State, Blinken said during the session that the progress that has been achieved between Serbia and Kosovo is hopeful, especially that of last weekend to implement the roadmap on the road to normalization.

“I believe that what is important, apart from the fact that both countries have agreed in principle to do so, is that these commitments are part of the plans of both countries for membership in the European Union, so I hope that this will be an incentive for them to implement them”, he said.

Senator Shaheen said she agreed.

“I believe it is important for people in both Kosovo and Serbia to see some benefits in their private lives from this type of agreement and the hope is that this will bring both countries closer to the EU,” she said.

Blinken said the United States has been “very involved in this process.”

“I discussed both with Prime Minister (Albin) Kurti and President (Aleksandar) Vucic in this regard, so I think this is a positive moment,” he said.

Senator Shaheen said that the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs is very interested in this issue and asked how Congress can help in this regard.

“I believe it would be a tremendous help if, in your engagements with the legislators of both countries, for example, the clear support of the United States Congress to move forward and implement these agreements, I think would be critical”, Blinken said.

He added that he strongly encourages the engagement of members of Congress with the parliaments of the two countries, as well as with the leaders of the two countries themselves.

/k.s/