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The US emissary for the Western Balkans, Gabriel Escobar, in an interview with the Austrian newspaper "Die Presse", said that Kosovo should show what the Association is looking for since it has shown what it does not want.
He said that the Association will not be a new Serbian republic like in Bosnia, but that it is an international commitment for Kosovo, legally binding.
"It is mentioned in the Brussels Agreement, the Conclusions of the European Council and the Ohrid Agreement. And there is also a US commitment to this. So, the Association of Serbian Municipalities should be created. The question is: what will it look like? If Kosovo does not want a new Republika Srpska like Bosnia, it should give us an idea of what it wants. They told us what they don't want. Now they have to tell us what they want. We are waiting for it. Kosovo should immediately move here and give us a draft agreement. Because the Ohrid Agreement depends a lot on the creation of the association of municipalities", he said.
But it seems that the Prime Minister of Kosovo, Albin Kurti, does not like this Association in principle - that was the question of the Austrian newspaper.
"It doesn't depend on him. This is not a matter between Kurt and Serbia. This is an issue between the Republic of Kosovo and the Republic of Serbia. Even if Kurti doesn't want it, this Association will happen. The question is: does Kosovo want to wait for Euro-Atlantic integration until its prime minister fulfills his legal obligations?", said Escobar.
Escobar was also asked about what should be done to reduce tensions.
"We must break the cycle of violence. The government of Kosovo should not force Albanian mayors in the north to go through municipal offices, which are so symbolic for Serbs. However, the administrative work must continue. Serbia's leadership, on the other hand, must send a clear message: Violence will not be tolerated - not against the KFOR peacekeeping force and not against the police. And then we have to look for a way to create greater trust - even if this means new elections for mayors", said Escobar.
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