There are signals for continuation of dialogue
U.S. Ambassador to Serbia Michael Kirby stated Wednesday there are signals that the talks between Belgrade and Pristina will continue, adding that he expects both sides to ease off in order for a permanent solution to be found.
(kosovocompromisestuff) Thursday, April 11, 2013
"I am optimistic that there will be an agreement," Kirby said, adding that the U.S. strongly supports the EU-mediated dialogue.
"Clearly, there is room for conversation between Belgrade and Pristina, and in any negotiation one expects a little give and a little take, probably on both sides, rather than just on one side. That's normally what happens in a dialogue," Kirby told a press conference at the Serbian parliament building after meeting with members of parliamentary group of friendship with the U.S.
"I believe that both sides think it's in their interest to reach a solution that will be enduring. I think Pristina thinks that as well," he said when asked whether he expects Pristina to make concessions.
Asked whether it is possible that the U.S. takes part in the dialogue, Kirby said his country is included and has regular meetings with representatives of Belgrade authorities, even though it is not at the negotiating table.He said that U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry has conferred with EU High Representative Catherine Ashton and that he is informed about the course of the dialogue.
Kirby pointed out he does not have any specific information about whether there will or will not be a meeting on Friday, but that Ashton and the EU are quite interested in helping Serbia and Pristina get to a solution and that he does not know exactly the format of how they will get there.If there is no meeting in Brussels or elsewhere, please do not draw wrong conclusions. We are optimistic, but I do not know whether this will be Friday, Saturday or Sunday, he said. Geography itself reduces the possibility that the meeting will take place, because Serbian President Tomislav Nikolic is in New York, while Prime Minister Ivica Dacic is in Moscow, Kirby added.
"Clearly, there is room for conversation between Belgrade and Pristina, and in any negotiation one expects a little give and a little take, probably on both sides, rather than just on one side. That's normally what happens in a dialogue," Kirby told a press conference at the Serbian parliament building after meeting with members of parliamentary group of friendship with the U.S.
"I believe that both sides think it's in their interest to reach a solution that will be enduring. I think Pristina thinks that as well," he said when asked whether he expects Pristina to make concessions.
Asked whether it is possible that the U.S. takes part in the dialogue, Kirby said his country is included and has regular meetings with representatives of Belgrade authorities, even though it is not at the negotiating table.He said that U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry has conferred with EU High Representative Catherine Ashton and that he is informed about the course of the dialogue.
Kirby pointed out he does not have any specific information about whether there will or will not be a meeting on Friday, but that Ashton and the EU are quite interested in helping Serbia and Pristina get to a solution and that he does not know exactly the format of how they will get there.If there is no meeting in Brussels or elsewhere, please do not draw wrong conclusions. We are optimistic, but I do not know whether this will be Friday, Saturday or Sunday, he said. Geography itself reduces the possibility that the meeting will take place, because Serbian President Tomislav Nikolic is in New York, while Prime Minister Ivica Dacic is in Moscow, Kirby added.
