Kirby: U.S. wants dialogue to continue
U.S. Ambassador in Belgrade Michael Kirby said Monday that the United States is in favor of Belgrade and Pristina continuing their dialogue in order to find a solution acceptable to both sides and did not rule out the possibility of Washington getting actively involved in the process, depending on the demands of Belgrade and Pristina.
(kosovocompromisestuff) Monday, April 08, 2013
I hope the dialogue will continue and we will reach a final agreement as soon as possible, because, in my opinion, it would be better for the overall situation in Serbia, Kirby said at the first fair presenting the investment potential of municipalities in southern Serbia.
No one knows the EU's position right now, but I think there is still room for progress. I think no one knows right now in what format the talks might continue, said Kirby.
Regardless of what the dialogue will be like, the format will depend on the demands Belgrade and Pristina send us. Before we bury this dialogue, I would ask you that we see whether there are still some grounds for it to continue. The United States is ready to support something like this, but it seems to me the format is not clear on either side, said Kirby.
The American ambassador said it would be good if Pristina added new members to its negotiating team, like Belgrade did in the eighth round of talks, noting it is certainly less important who sits at the negotiating table than whether the two sides will manage to come to an agreement.
Even though the deadline set by Catherine Ashton was tied to Serbia's chances of opening accession talks with the EU, the real question for the Serbian government, for the EU and for Pristina is whether they can reach an agreement which is acceptable to both sides and which can be implemented, said Kirby.
The deadline is not as important in itself as is the implementability of the agreement, he said.
Noting that a lot of time has been wasted and a solution is needed urgently, Kirby expressed satisfaction with the fact Serbia's First Deputy Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic has shown interest in the continuation of the dialogue and steps which will make progress in the near future possible.
No one knows the EU's position right now, but I think there is still room for progress. I think no one knows right now in what format the talks might continue, said Kirby.
Regardless of what the dialogue will be like, the format will depend on the demands Belgrade and Pristina send us. Before we bury this dialogue, I would ask you that we see whether there are still some grounds for it to continue. The United States is ready to support something like this, but it seems to me the format is not clear on either side, said Kirby.
The American ambassador said it would be good if Pristina added new members to its negotiating team, like Belgrade did in the eighth round of talks, noting it is certainly less important who sits at the negotiating table than whether the two sides will manage to come to an agreement.
Even though the deadline set by Catherine Ashton was tied to Serbia's chances of opening accession talks with the EU, the real question for the Serbian government, for the EU and for Pristina is whether they can reach an agreement which is acceptable to both sides and which can be implemented, said Kirby.
The deadline is not as important in itself as is the implementability of the agreement, he said.
Noting that a lot of time has been wasted and a solution is needed urgently, Kirby expressed satisfaction with the fact Serbia's First Deputy Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic has shown interest in the continuation of the dialogue and steps which will make progress in the near future possible.
