Senior US official Matthew Palmer urged Serbia and Kosovo on Friday to make the most of a “historic opportunity” to end their decade-long dispute.
The US’ Deputy Assistant Secretary of State, Matthew Palmer, called on Friday for Serbia and Kosovo not to miss the “historic opportunity” to reach an agreement to end their decade-long dispute, and urged for them to find a solution that would leave both sides “victorious”.
“If someone is a winner and someone a loser, then no one wins,” he said during a panel discussion at the Belgrade Security Forum, Beta news agency reported.
Palmer also stressed that the US is not advocating for a specific outcome of the Belgrade-Pristina dialogue, saying: “We encourage the parties to find a way forward and find a lasting and sustainable solution that both sides will accept.”
Kosovo declared independence from Serbia in 2008, which Belgrade still opposes. However, the EU’s main precondition for Serbia’s bid for EU membership is for it to normalise relations with Kosovo.
Palmer said on Friday that the US is ready to listen and help, but that he cannot talk about the details and a possible exchange of territory, because, according to him, no plan has been made.
He also stated that a “frozen conflict” is not a solution for the dispute, calling it a “risk for regional stability”.
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