The US remains committed to the sovereignty, territorial integrity and interests of Kosovo, while the normalization of relations between Kosovo and Serbia is considered essential for the stability of the Western Balkans.
This is what the US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for European Affairs, Daniel Lawton, declared during a hearing before the Subcommittee on Europe of the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the US House of Representatives.
Lawton stressed that stability in the Western Balkans remains one of the priorities of American foreign policy in the region.
“The US seeks a peaceful and prosperous Western Balkans. We are pursuing positive relations with actors in the region to maintain stability, expand economic cooperation and counter threats to the US,” he declared.
Speaking about Kosovo, the American official said that Washington continues to support its territorial integrity and interests, as well as international recognition of Kosovo.
He also mentioned American support for the presence of KFOR in Kosovo, stressing that NATO’s mission remains important for maintaining a safe environment.
As for the Kosovo-Serbia dialogue, Lawton said that the normalization process has stalled and called on both sides to avoid provocations and return to dialogue.
“The normalization of relations between Kosovo and Serbia is vital for regional stability. The dialogue mediated by the EU has stalled. We call on Belgrade and Pristina to avoid provocations and enter into discussions without preconditions,” said Lawton.
According to him, the progress achieved through the 2020 agreement between Kosovo and Serbia has stagnated due to the lack of political will on both sides.
Lawton meanwhile emphasized that the US is cooperating closely with NATO allies in the region, including Albania, Montenegro and North Macedonia, especially in the field of security.
He said that American policy in the Western Balkans is based on three main priorities: maintaining stability, advancing economic interests and strengthening cooperation against criminal organizations and security threats.
According to Lawton, Washington aims for a peaceful and prosperous Western Balkans, while demanding that the countries of the region take more responsibility for solving their problems.
