James O’Brien, the American Assistant Secretary of State for Europe and Eurasia, has stated that the United States is monitoring the movements of the Serbian army near the border with Kosovo and has made it clear to Serbia that the use of force would be unacceptable.
“In Serbia, President [of Serbia, Aleksandar] Vučić is well aware that any use of force against Kosovo would be unacceptable and would be considered a threat to NATO forces, which are there to protect the population, both Albanians and Serbs. He has stated that there will be no use of force.”
He called on Kosovo and Serbia to take actions to reduce tensions in the region.
O’Brien made these statements in an online conversation with journalists.
The American official also stated that Serbia has been made aware that those involved in the attack of September 24, 2023, in Banjska, Zvečan, must be held accountable.
The Prime Minister of Kosovo, Albin Kurti, said on March 21 that units of the Serbian army have been observed a few meters from the border with Kosovo, and he described these movements as “deliberate provocations.”
On Friday, the Ministry of Defense of Serbia called Kurti’s statements part of a disinformation campaign about the Serbian army.
According to it, the Serbian army forces are performing their duties in the administrative safe area, in accordance with all signed agreements.
“Government decisions should not impoverish people”
Speaking about Kosovo, O’Brien said that no government should make decisions that impoverish the population.
“But, we see that in the north of Kosovo, it is very difficult for a number of individuals to buy the things they need for their daily lives.”
His statement was a reference to the new regulation of the Central Bank of Kosovo (CBK) that defines the euro as the only currency for cash payments.
Thus, the use of the Serbian dinar has been made impossible.
Serbia declares that it provides assistance to the Serbs of Kosovo worth millions of euros, giving them salaries, pensions, and additional aid.
O’Brien said that the American envoy for the Western Balkans, Gabriel Escobar, visited the citizens of northern Kosovo a few days ago to closely observe the situation there.
He stated that the USA believes that the CBK’s regulation is being implemented in a way that makes daily life difficult for the citizens of Kosovo.
Source: Botasot.net
