It is too early to say that the dialogue between Serbia and Kosovo has failed, said Christopher Hill, the United States Ambassador to Belgrade.<\/p>\n
In an interview with Radio Free Europe (RFE), Hill stated that he did not expect \u201cfull success\u201d from the negotiations, and his expectation was a return to the negotiating table.<\/p>\n
\u201cNow we need to see [what happens next],\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
The goal of the dialogue, as he emphasizes, is a political solution that expects \u201cgive and take\u201d from both sides.<\/p>\n
\u201cCan we achieve a situation where Serbs in Kosovo feel comfortable and have some form of Association of Serb-majority municipalities? Secondly, can Pristina achieve what it wants, which is a clear path to international organizations?\u201d Hill said.<\/p>\n
He emphasized that the armed attack on the Kosovo Police in Banjska is a significant obstacle to negotiations in Brussels. According to him, the United States is closely monitoring the investigations in Belgrade and Pristina.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe focus is to find out exactly what happened, who is responsible. And finally, to create circumstances where this cannot happen again,\u201d said the American ambassador.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Radio Free Europe:<\/strong> Mr. Ambassador, let\u2019s start with the recent talks [between Kosovo and Serbia] in Brussels. It seems they have concluded without success. Did you expect such an outcome?<\/p>\n Christopher Hill<\/strong>: I didn\u2019t expect any complete success. But, of course, I expected some effort to return to the essential elements of the dialogue. In that sense, it has been an important meeting; both parties attended the meeting. So, we\u2019ll see. For now, however, it is clear that it has not resolved all the remaining issues in the dialogue.<\/p>\n Radio Free Europe<\/strong>: Diplomats from the EU and the US also say that it is important for the leaders of Serbia and Kosovo to get back on the right track, to return to the negotiating table. But is it time now for a new format, given that this one is not yielding many results? So, what should the process look like?<\/p>\n Christopher Hill<\/strong>: I do not want to second-guess the process that the European Union has created. I think it has received a lot of attention in the European Union. It was important to see the participation of the President of France and the Chancellor of Germany… So, I think the Europeans have made significant efforts.<\/p>\n The real issue is the essence of the dialogue. Can we reach a situation where Serbs in Kosovo feel comfortable in their surroundings and have some form of an association of Serb-majority municipalities? Secondly, can Pristina achieve what it wants, which is a clear path to more internationalization?<\/p>\n These are complex questions, tough issues, certainly inherited ones. But I also hope that there will be an inspiration for the future. It is too early to claim that this is a failure. Let\u2019s see how it goes from here.<\/p>\n Radio Free Europe<\/strong>: But how close are we?<\/p>\n Christopher Hill<\/strong>: We will know when we get there. It is very hard to measure how close you are when you are not there. What I do know is that this dialogue process has been interrupted by a very, very difficult situation and, in fact, something that has been quite damaging to the overall process. These are the events that happened in Banjska.<\/p>\n Radio Free Europe<\/strong>: The United States has called on Serbia to participate in the investigation of the attack in Banjska. But are parallel investigations in Serbia and Kosovo \u2013 without cooperation \u2013 a good way to clarify what happened?<\/p>\n Christopher Hill<\/strong>: I think the issue is to focus on what happened exactly, who is responsible, why they did it, and, finally, to create circumstances where this cannot happen anymore. I think this involves many different structures. What can KFOR, the NATO contingent, do in this regard? What other aspects need to be addressed?<\/p>\n It is not easy, but I think it is a process that needs to be comprehensive, it needs to be clear for people, and ultimately, it needs to be effective and ensure that this will never happen again.<\/p>\n Radio Free Europe<\/strong>: How can this cooperation be achieved, given that both parties have completely different interpretations?<\/p>\n Christopher Hill<\/strong>: Yes, this is definitely a problem. This is why mediation is needed to achieve this. It is clear that investigations are taking place… The Serbian side has said that they will conduct a full investigation. The same is being done by the Kosovar side. I think the U.S. is monitoring this very closely. Everything \u2013 with the aim of making sure there is accountability and it does not repeat. So, it is a significant factor.<\/p>\n But, in the end, what we need is a dialogue process that aims for a political solution. So, we can never forget the dialogue. And, in this aspect, I am glad that Mr. [Miroslav] Laj\u010d\u00e1k [the EU representative in the Kosovo-Serbia dialogue] has gathered the parties, has received high European attention. The best thing we can do is support Mr. Laj\u010d\u00e1k\u2019s process and try to ensure that it is ultimately successful.<\/p>\n These things do not happen in the time that everyone wants them to happen, especially when you have significant obstacles, like what happened in Banjska.<\/p>\n Radio Free Europe<\/strong>: In that process, in the Brussels process, Pristina called for sanctions against Serbia. So, what would be the consequences if authorities in Belgrade are held responsible for the attack?<\/p>\n Christopher Hill<\/strong>: Well, again, I don\u2019t want to take on that question. Of course, there are many investigations, so I cannot, in fact, get into hypotheses about this. I would like to emphasize once again, at the risk of sounding terribly repetitive, that this is a problem that needs a political solution, not a military one. And there should be respect for the opinions of each party and to see if some of these issues can be addressed through a dialogue process. I don\u2019t know a better way to do this.<\/p>\n I don\u2019t think you will have a situation where one party is simply able to dictate to the other. I think there needs to be a give-and-take process. And I think that is what Mr. Laj\u010d\u00e1k is trying to do. And, for him to work very… you know, he has had many achievements in his life and is working on a very difficult issue, and I think he deserves our support.<\/p>\n Radio Free Europe<\/strong>: Now, Pristina has also announced that it will seek the extradition of those responsible for the attack in Banjska. It was related to Radoji\u010di\u0107. So, given that Serbia and Kosovo do not have cooperation, no extradition agreement, how do you see this process?<\/p>\n Christopher Hill<\/strong>: Well, actually, I cannot discuss what the Government in Pristina wants or does not want. What I know is that Mr. Radoji\u010di\u0107, through his lawyer, has taken some responsibility for what happened. So, I would like to see what the process would be with Mr. Radoji\u010di\u0107 in the future. I understand that he is in Serbia, he has been told not to leave, and, in fact, he has been told to await a criminal process in the future. So, let\u2019s see how it goes. So, better not to get into these kinds of questions, except to say that there must be a full accountability for what happened.<\/p>\n Radio Free Europe<\/strong>: How do you see those political messages regarding the attacks in Banjska from Belgrade, given that Vu\u010di\u0107 said that the attackers are not terrorists for him and has his interpretation of the event?<\/p>\n Christopher Hill<\/strong>: You know, the issue of who is a terrorist and who is something else is an old question. And, this is not the first time it has come up. We often talk about these unique situations in Serbia and Kosovo. Well, there is nothing unique about these kinds of situations. So, we need… you know, we have seen these kinds of issues before.<\/p>\n And, again, the way forward… and everyone needs to understand this and understand much better the need for both parties to sit down, [show] what they want from this process, and make it non-negotiable for the other party. And that involves giving and taking. No one can walk away from this dialogue process and say \u201cI want everything and I am forcing the other party to agree to everything\u201d.<\/p>\n I think people need to also reflect on the fact that Kosovo and Serbia will be around for a long time. And what we really need in the region in general is a capacity for countries in the region to work better together and, in this context, to be better candidates for the [membership] process in the EU. And, I think we have seen from the EU a desire to do more, to [bring] these countries, like Serbia, into the EU structures, as Ms. Von der Leyen spoke about in recent weeks. I think many solutions to these things depend on an EU that is considering how best and how quickly to bring these countries, like Serbia, into the EU structures. So, this is something that is happening, and I am sure that Serbs will pay a lot of attention to this, and I am sure that Serbian authorities are doing exactly that.<\/p>\n Radio Free Europe<\/strong>: When you mentioned EU integrations, there is an open issue regarding sanctions against Russia. Serbia is not imposing sanctions, and officials want to emphasize very often that Serbia has not imposed sanctions for 20 months.<\/p>\n Christopher Hill<\/strong>: Yes, Serbia has persisted in not imposing sanctions longer than Russia\u2019s military presence in certain parts of Ukraine. You see, this is a clear case of aggression, a dreadful aggression, aggression that threatens not only its neighbors but global food supplies and global energy supplies. This is truly the wild behavior of the Russians.<\/p>\n I think Serbia has been quite clear about this. I think we have seen a kind of evolving relationship. It\u2019s not a new relationship, but it\u2019s a relationship that\u2019s strengthening between Serbia and Ukraine. We\u2019ve seen bilateral meetings between the presidents of both countries. So, I think Serbia is doing some things. You know, as far as sanctions are concerned, I know it\u2019s a very sensitive issue in Serbia.<\/p>\n My view, my country\u2019s view, is that everyone should join sanctions against Russia. I think it\u2019s better for Serbia to understand this and take action based on its understanding. So, I\u2019m not here to tell Serbia what to do about this, but I encourage everyone to look at the objective circumstances of a country that attacks its neighbor in order to steal the neighbor\u2019s territory. And this is a big problem, and I hope everyone sees it under these circumstances.<\/p>\n Radio Free Europe<\/strong>: You once said that Serbia is paying a high price for not imposing sanctions. So, what was taken away from Serbia?<\/p>\n Christopher Hill<\/strong>: You know, I think in the sense that, you know, the European Union expects an alignment of foreign policy issues. They expect an alignment. And, certainly, if Serbia were to move on the issue of sanctions with Russia, I think there would be an appreciation for the fact that Serbia was bringing itself closer to the European Union on this.<\/p>\n I want to emphasize that we believe that Russia should be genuinely sanctioned for the crimes it has committed against its neighbors. But I\u2019m not sure it\u2019s useful for me to sit here and tell Serbia what to do. Serbia has to think about these issues for itself to understand its aspirations for the European Union, to understand that this is the future of Serbia. Serbia has nowhere else to go. So, I hope they make decisions for themselves in this direction.<\/p>\n Radio Free Europe<\/strong>: Relations with China have also deepened. During the recent visit to Beijing, a free trade agreement was signed. How will this affect bilateral relations between Belgrade and Washington?<\/p>\n Christopher Hill<\/strong>: You know, Serbia has the right to maintain its relations with other countries. The United States has relations with China. Frankly, we have much more trade with China than Serbia does. So, again, I\u2019m not here to give lectures on what Serbia should do regarding China. I think we see in the Serbian newspapers, in the press, an effort to make it known to readers and the public that there are pros and cons. China\u2019s relations with some smaller countries, whether in Africa or Southeast Asia, have sometimes caused a lot of concerns about some of these economic ties.<\/p>\n So, I think Serbia has the maturity and understanding to carefully deal with these matters in its own interest. Of course, our interests are sometimes affected by these issues, and, of course, we are in contact with the Serbian Government. But, again, I think the best foreign policy is when you have good consultations, when you don\u2019t surprise each other, when you have a free exchange of opinions, and when you don\u2019t think you can just tell the other party what to do. So, this is the kind of relationship we want to have with Serbia, and I think we are working on that.<\/p>\n Radio Free Europe<\/strong>: When it comes to cooperation and relations, are the close ties between Serbian officials and persons on the U.S. blacklist from Serbia and the Serbian entity in Bosnia, Republika Srpska, an open issue between Belgrade and Washington?<\/p>\n Christopher Hill<\/strong>: Yes, I think we have had some real problems with the Serbian leadership in Bosnia. This is certainly a big problem for us. And when we look at some of these officials, whether they are individuals, what they have done, and what their views are, we have the right to make decisions based on our needs and our security. And some of these people we don\u2019t want to grant visas, we don\u2019t want them to have their bank accounts in the United States, we simply don\u2019t want to do anything with them.<\/p>\n We, of course, have the right to declare these individuals persona non grata. We have done this with Mr. Dodik, we have done this recently with his adult children, so to speak.<\/p>\n We call them children, but in fact they are adults. We have made it very clear that we will not deal with people who misuse other people\u2019s money and who behave in ways that we think do not meet any standard. And we will take measures to protect ourselves from such people.<\/p>\n Radio Free Europe<\/strong>: Do you think that Belgrade is investigating these very serious accusations highlighted in the explanations of the U.S. Department of the Treasury\u2019s sanctions?<\/p>\n Christopher Hill<\/strong>: I know that Belgrade certainly has its own thoughts on these issues. I\u2019m actually talking about the sanctions against Republika Srpska, which I think are appropriately designed to target people who, in various ways, have caused significant problems, starting with the fact that they do not support the Dayton Peace Agreement.<\/p>\n I would emphasize that I think the Dayton Peace Agreement was a very good thing for the Serb ethnic people in Bosnia. I think the Dayton Peace Agreement is quite appropriate and really a good approach. Belgrade authorities have stated this on many occasions that they support it and support Bosnia\u2019s territorial integrity.<\/p>\n So, when we look at people in Bosnia, whoever they may be, we feel, as with any other country, the right to take action against such people and keep them off our territory and ensure that they do not do business with us. So, this is the basis for these sanctions.<\/p>\n Radio Free Europe<\/strong>: You have been present in this region for a very long time, and many political figures and political parties have been active in the \u201890s and now in the region, including in Serbia. Was it easier for you to talk to them back then or now?<\/p>\n Christopher Hill<\/strong>: I represent the interests of the United States, and I believe that the interests of the United States are best served by well-informed diplomats, so I speak to everyone I can, because in the diversity of opinions, you learn things.<\/p>\n I don\u2019t try to limit myself to talking only to certain people because some other people don\u2019t want me to talk to certain people.<\/p>\n I will make my choices about who I will talk to.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" It is too early to say that the dialogue between Serbia and Kosovo has failed, said Christopher Hill, the United States Ambassador to Belgrade. In an interview with Radio Free Europe (RFE), Hill stated that he did not expect \u201cfull success\u201d from the negotiations, and his expectation was a return to the negotiating table. \u201cNow […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":24,"featured_media":62015,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[250],"tags":[766,4419,995,308,2490,300,1929,243,151,428,301,490,326],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n