O'Brien: North of Kosovo and threats to secession of a part of Bosnia, security risks in the region

2024-07-09 08:18:00, Kosova & Bota CNA

O'Brien: North of Kosovo and threats to secession of a part of Bosnia,

The US Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs, James O'Brien, told the Serbian news agency Tanjug on Monday that the north of Kosovo and the threats to secede a part of Bosnia and Herzegovina are the main security risks in the Western Balkans.

But, he emphasized, the KFOR peacekeeping forces in Kosovo and the EUFOR mission in Bosnia are ready "to prevent small local groups from causing violence".

"I am also encouraged that there has been good cooperation with the Serbian authorities, with the Kosovo authorities, in an effort to address the dangers of violence and increased clashes in the north of Kosovo. I think with this we have a chance for the political process, which is the dialogue (mediated by the European Union), the (European) economic growth plan and other things to address the causes of the violence," said Mr. O'Brien, according to the news agency. Tanjug news.

Asked why the US supported a transition of the Kosovo Security Force according to NATO standards and why Pristina was allowed to buy drones, when "according to Resolution 1244, KFOR was the only armed force allowed in Kosovo", Mr. O'Brien said the resolution established "a political process to discuss the future of Kosovo".

"That process led to Kosovo's independence. Kosovo has the right to defend its territory," said Mr. O'Brien, underlining that it "is doing so in a transparent process and in close cooperation with international partners as a way to ensure its protection, but without threatening its neighbors. I think that in general it is a move towards stability in the region, we will continue to support it."

The American diplomat reiterated his support for the Kosovo-Serbia talks and the establishment of the Association of Serb-majority municipalities.

"There are about 400 associations of municipalities across Europe and we think this would be one of them," he said, underlining that the talks are Kosovo's and Serbia's path to European integration.

On Monday, Mr. O'Brien discussed these issues in Washington with the President of Kosovo, Vjosa Osmani.

"Together, we also discussed the latest developments in the dialogue with Serbia and the importance of the role of the United States for the success of this process", President Osmani wrote on social networks.

Although formally aiming for European integration, Serbia maintains close ties with Moscow, which backs Belgrade's claims to Kosovo, which declared independence in 2008 with Western support.

Belgrade, unlike the European Union and other Western countries, has not imposed sanctions on Moscow because of its aggression in Ukraine.

Mr O'Brien said support for Ukraine was vital.

"Ukraine fights for the fundamental principle of territorial integrity. I know that President (Serb Aleksandar) Vu?i? talks about this principle, we disagree with some of his applications, but in this context, we welcome what Serbia is doing by making its weapons available to help Ukraine to fight for a basic principle of international law", said Mr. O'Brien./ VOA