The U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs, James O’Brien, spoke to RTS about the strategic dialogue between the U.S. and Serbia, emphasizing that the issue of Kosovo remains one of the most sensitive topics.
“The U.S.-Serbia strategic dialogue is an opportunity for our two governments to collaborate on long-term programs. It’s a sign of the maturity of our relationship. President Vučić highlighted his key priorities—six or seven main topics on his list—which will create a framework for long-term cooperation,” O’Brien stated.
Kosovo-Serbia Relations
O’Brien acknowledged that relations between Kosovo and Serbia are among the most delicate issues, noting the disagreement between Serbia and the U.S. on this matter. He emphasized that there is currently an opportunity to propose a vision for how Serbs in Kosovo can coexist peacefully.
“Our position is that there is an opportunity to propose a vision for how Serbs can live within Kosovo both as a community and as full citizens of Kosovo. The strategic dialogue is a chance to ensure a thorough understanding of all parties’ positions. Ultimately, the decisions will rest with the people of Serbia, who must determine whether they are prepared to take the steps Europe expects, including recognizing borders. I believe this dialogue will be one of the tools to avoid misunderstandings,” O’Brien explained.
Commitment to Continued Dialogue
He pointed out that government efforts often seem ineffective, but ongoing discussions are necessary to identify and address real issues.
With the potential for a new U.S. administration, O’Brien added that the U.S. would pay closer attention to Kosovo’s needs to help it succeed in its aspirations while ensuring that Serbs in those areas live with dignity and quality, as is the case for communities across Europe living in countries where they were not born.
“If we engage in dialogue, we can solve all the issues,” O’Brien concluded.
