On the occasion of the 16th anniversary of independence, which will be celebrated in Kosovo on February 17th, the United States (U.S.) President Joe Biden sent a congratulatory message to the President of Kosovo, Vjosa Osmani, encouraging the leadership of the country to fulfill all obligations from the dialogue for normalization of relations with Serbia.
“Together with other countries in the region and around the world, the U.S. encourages the leadership of Kosovo to fulfill all obligations, including all agreements reached through this process,” the message from the U.S. president reads.
According to him, the U.S. and Kosovo share a lasting friendship and partnership strengthened by a common vision for a more peaceful, secure, and prosperous region.
“We also continue to support efforts in the dialogue mediated by the European Union (EU) towards reaching a comprehensive agreement on the normalization of relations with Serbia, which is an important step towards eventual mutual recognition,” Biden said.
Serbia and Kosovo, under the auspices of the EU, are conducting negotiations on the normalization of relations, with the U.S. supporting the process but not being part of it. Official Belgrade insists that Pristina forms the Community of Serb Municipalities (ZSO), which was accepted as an obligation by the agreement under the auspices of the EU in April 2013.
Pristina, however, demands that Serbia sign the European plan for Kosovo from February and the annex agreed upon in Ohrid in March and that Kosovo be recognized de facto and de jure.
Official Belgrade categorically rejects recognition, arguing that Kosovo’s “self-proclaimed independence” is contrary to the principles of international law.
E.Dz.
