Philip Reeker, former Deputy Assistant Secretary of State, stated that he believes the dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia will not be a priority for the new administration under Donald Trump.
According to Reeker, the focus of the U.S. will be on security and prosperity, along with support for the Euro-Atlantic integration of the Western Balkans.
He said that while the dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia has led to some good agreements, their implementation remains a major challenge.
The American diplomat, Philip Reeker, assessed the current situation after the formation of the new European Commission and the return of Donald Trump to the helm of the U.S. administration as an important moment to review the next steps in addressing challenges in the Western Balkans.
“I don’t think the issue of dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina will be at the top of the U.S. administration’s agenda. The United States is trying to help the countries of the Western Balkans overcome past problems and find a path to a better future for their citizens,” Reeker emphasized in an interview with RTK.
According to Reeker, who participated in the Security Conference in Belgrade, President Trump’s main focus will be security and prosperity, in line with his “America First” policy.
“President Trump has clearly defined priorities that are centered around what is important for America and its citizens. This is not complete isolationism, but people need to temper their expectations that the U.S. will solve their problems. The world today faces major geopolitical challenges that require urgent attention,” Reeker said.
Reeker, who served as Deputy Assistant Secretary of State, emphasized that the dialogue under the European Union remains the key tool for resolving issues between Belgrade and Pristina, but expressed concerns about the slow progress.
