Dačić for Euractiv: Top U.S. officials confirmed close cooperation with Serbia

“The meetings in Washington with high-ranking officials of the U.S. administration and Congress confirmed the respect of the United States for the Serbia’s position in relation to Kosovo and Metohija, despite the existing differences”, Foreign Minister Ivica Dačić told Euractiv upon return.

Minister Dačić emphasised that he received confirmation from the special advisor Derek Chollet and from the special representative for the Western Balkans, Gabriel Escobar, as well as from senators and congressmen, that the United States sees Serbia as a constructive and responsible partner in the dialogue concerning Kosovo and Metohija, and that they respect our position. He added that the talks confirmed that the U.S. understands Serbia’s red lines, which concern the establishment of the Community of Serbian Municipalities as well as the opposition to Kosovo's membership in the United Nations.

“It is also very important that in a phone conversation with President Aleksandar Vučić, State Secretary Anthony Blinken personally confirmed Washington's position that Serbia is a responsible partner in this process,” the Minister of Foreign Affairs pointed out and added that the United States want to cooperate with Serbia on these and other issues.

Dačić believes that the understanding shown by the United States for Serbia’s positions is extremely important, because the attitudes of such an important country also influence the attitudes of other Western countries involved in the process concerning Kosovo and Metohija. He added that, on the other hand, he heard completely opposite assessments about the behaviour exhibited by Pristina, especially regarding its refusal to implement the obligations from the Brussels Agreement to establish the Union of Serbian Municipalities.

Dačić explained that the U.S. colleagues repeated that they will cooperate closely with Serbia, and that they will be open and transparent about all important issues.

“I think this is a good opportunity to use the constructive cooperation we have with the United States regarding the Kosovo dialogue to improve our bilateral relations. Serbia and the United States have a long history of good relations and a very close partnership. It is in the interest of both countries to work on improving these relations in all areas, even to bring them to the level of strategic partnership,” Dačić concluded.

Source/Photo: Euractiv/Stefan Stanojević, Mondo