U.S. Ambassador to Pristina Jeffrey Hovenier stated that the United States is very concerned that the Government of Kosovo is not taking concrete steps to de-escalate the situation in the northern part.
Speaking on the “Rubikon” show on Klan Kosova, Hovenier said that Prime Minister Albin Kurti should initiate the implementation of the three-point plan proposed by the European Union to resolve the tense situation in the north.
According to Ambassador Hovenier, this plan is what both the United States and the EU, as well as the United Kingdom, are seeking.
“Friends of Kosovo, countries and institutions that have played the most significant role in supporting Kosovo on this trajectory, are all asking Kosovo, and this government, to take specific actions and implement the EU’s three-point plan,” said Hovenier.
The three-point plan requires Kosovo to de-escalate the situation in the north, hold new elections, and return to the dialogue for the normalization of relations facilitated by the European Union.
Hovenier said it is surprising that there has not been a positive response from the Government of Kosovo.
“We are surprised. It is difficult for us to understand why this request does not receive a positive response and does not seem like it will,” said Ambassador Hovenier.
Hovenier did not rule out other consequences for Kosovo if the government does not respond to the requests of international partners.
“It is clear that there will be other consequences if we continue on this path where the Government of Kosovo does not respond to the requests of all its friends from all the states that have shown a commitment for one or two decades to see Kosovo take its place in Europe and in Euro-Atlantic structures,” said Hovenier.
He denied the criticism that the U.S. is being tougher with Kosovo than with Serbia, stating that Serbia is also being asked to implement the three-point plan.
Commenting on the deployment of special units of the Kosovo Police in the northern municipalities, Hovenier said that it is not the best way to maintain control of the situation and mentioned concerns expressed by citizens in the northern part about the significant presence of special police officials from Kosovo.
Despite disagreements, Hovenier said that the U.S. considers Prime Minister Kurti a partner, but Kurti must work towards de-escalating the situation and holding new elections in the four northern municipalities of North Mitrovica, Zvečan, Zubin Potok, and Leposavić.
Hovenier said that the U.S. expects citizens of these four municipalities to participate in the elections and that they are in discussions with local Serbs in Kosovo as well as with official Belgrade.
Furthermore, Ambassador Hovenier said that the concerns expressed in the letter from eight U.S. senators to President Joe Biden regarding the tense situation in northern Kosovo should be taken seriously.
