The United States of America think that the recent developments regarding the relations between Kosovo and Serbia are concerning and put at risk the important progress achieved in the dialogue facilitated by the EU, a spokesperson of the American Embassy in Pristina told KosovaPress.

According to him, the United States joins the EU in calling on representatives of Serbia and Kosovo Serbs to respect their dialogue obligations and return to Kosovo institutions to fulfill their duties, including the police, judiciary and local administrations.

The American spokesman in Pristina has also announced that for the USA it is the responsibility of both sides to guarantee peace and stability on the ground. He emphasized that the United States once again requests the postponement of the implementation of the decision on license plates and the formation of the association of municipalities with a Serbian majority.

"Actions, such as burning cars or intimidating rhetoric, are unacceptable and will prompt an appropriate response from the international community... All parties involved must take steps to reduce tensions and ensure peace and stability in ground. Actions and rhetoric that increase the possibility of violence put innocent lives and those of international peacekeeping forces on the ground at unnecessary risk," he said.

The full response given to KosovaPress:

Regarding recent developments in relations between Kosovo and Serbia:

The United States agrees with the European Union that the recent developments around relations between Kosovo and Serbia are of great concern and put important progress achieved in the EU-facilitated Dialogue at risk.

The Kosovan Serbs' withdrawal from Kosovan institutions is not a solution to the current disputes and has the potential to further escalate the tensions on the ground.

All involved must take steps to reduce tensions and ensure peace and stability on the ground.  Actions and rhetoric that increase the possibility of violence place innocent lives and those of international peacekeeping forces on the ground at unnecessary risk.

The United States therefore joins the EU in calling on Serbia and Kosovan Serb representatives to respect their Dialogue obligations and return to the Kosovo institutions to fulfill their duties, including in the Police, Judiciary and local administrations. 

At the same time, we again join the EU in urging Kosovan authorities to respect their own obligations without delay.  This means immediately extending the process of re-registration of vehicles and suspending any punitive action against KM plate holders until the license plates issue can be resolved by the parties under the Dialogue.

It also means immediately starting negotiations to establish the Association of Serb Majority Municipalities (ASM).  The Kosovo Assembly has ratified the Brussels Agreement and Kosovo’s Constitutional Court ruled that the ASM needs to be established, which makes establishing the ASM a binding legal obligation for Kosovo.  Continued failure by Kosovo to implement this obligation undermines the principle of rule of law and damages Kosovo’s reputation and credibility.

Regarding our message to Kosovan and Serbian leadership;

It is the responsibility of both parties to ensure peace and stability on the ground.  Actions, such as burning of cars or intimidating rhetoric, are unacceptable and will prompt an appropriate reaction by the international community. 

We urge them to choose the path of dialogue and refrain from actions that would lead to violence and confrontation. The United States fully supports EU efforts to continue to facilitate negotiations.  Both Kosovo and Serbia need to show they are ready to seek solutions in a constructive manner and respect their obligations made in the EU-facilitated Dialogue.