The special envoy of the United States for the Western Balkans, Gabriel Escobar, and the special envoy of the European Union for the Pristina-Belgrade dialogue, Miroslav Lajcak, have said that the future of Kosovo and Serbia is in the EU, but only after the normalization of relations.
Escobar emphasized that the narrative that Kosovo is Serbia should be removed, since according to him, the two countries are in Europe.
“I think we should leave the narrative that Kosovo is Serbia and go towards the narrative that Kosovo and Serbia are Europe. And so, you have a future together, and that future is rapidly moving away from the problems of the nineties and toward the possibilities of the 21st century. For this region, the 21st century will be the century of economic opportunities, it will be the one in which the Western Balkans will become a driver of growth for Europe, for the entire continent, where you will be the center of energy production, IT, transport, and a number of other economic sectors that only this region can provide. So, the reality is that in the end you will all be connected anyway, either through some regional economic initiatives, whether it is CEFTA, whether it is the common regional market, or the Open Balkans and finally in the European Union”, Escobar told Kurir.
Lajcak stressed that “the path to the European Union for both sides is through dialogue under the auspices of the EU” and that “a comprehensive agreement on normalization is urgent, because the status quo is not sustainable”.
“The parties have very different views on a number of issues on the table, particularly on what a comprehensive normalization agreement means. However, we must maintain optimism and bring positive momentum to what we do. It is important to work on issues that are of common interest and where progress is possible – and there are many, including a broader strategic dimension. It is also very important to overcome our current phase, in which we talk almost every day with the two leaders just to avoid the biggest tensions and to start talking more about the bigger picture”, emphasized Lajçak.
Lajcak added that there will be no membership in the EU, for either party, without the normalization of relations.
“Let’s not forget that the normalization process is connected to the European path of Kosovo and Serbia – there will be no membership in the EU for any party without a comprehensive normalization of relations, and the parties know this. Union membership is a strategic goal of Kosovo and Serbia and I am convinced that progress in the dialogue will eventually be inevitable and the fact that the two leaders are now ready to meet regularly in Brussels is a sign of their commitment to achieve a comprehensive normalization of relations”.
