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The United States sent a clear message to Belgrade that regardless of who will be the next government of the country, emerging from the December 17 elections, it should not deviate from the line of normalizing relations with Kosovo and from the path towards European integration.
The US Assistant Secretary of State for Europe and Eurasia, James O'Brien, told VOA that progress has been made on the Kosovo issue in recent months, and that "some of the main contentious issues have begun to be resolved, such as license plates, or customs... "
"The Serbian people will vote as they wish. We expect the government to adhere to the agreement it has made regarding Kosovo", said O'Brien.
The progress noted is welcome, but the US official made it clear that further progress is needed. The future of the Balkans, he said, lies in the common European market and EU membership.
"To truly join the European common market, both sides must resolve their differences, recognize boundaries and agree to cooperate. We expect them to work again - starting with the commitments they have already made," said O'Brien.
He entered and mentioned in detail the continuation of negotiations for normalization between Kosovo and Serbia, saying that the USA expects a reduction in tensions in the municipalities in the north of Kosovo, inhabited by a majority of Serbs. The official recalled that this is an area where KFOR and NATO forces have been strengthened.
The EULEX European mission has also been very active there recently. For this reason, neither side has reason to cause tension there and the area should remain calm, was his advice. One of the steps that O'Brien mentioned among others to reduce tensions is the return of Serbs to public institutions.
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