Escobar Says U.S. Committed to Progress in Belgrade-Pristina Dialogue

Gabriel Escobar (Photo: U.S. Embassy in Serbia)

The U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for European Affairs and special envoy for the Western Balkans, Gabriel Escobar, said on Dec. 3 that the U.S. was committed to and supported progress in the Belgrade-Pristina dialogue.

The government of Kosovo has said that Prime Minister Albin Kurti spoke with Escobar over the phone on developments in the region, and the importance of regional peace and stability. "Escobar underlined the U.S.'s support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Republic of Kosovo and his country's support to Kosovo and the region in joining the European Union," the Kosovo cabinet quoted the prime minister as saying.

Kurti said that the region's full integration with the EU and NATO was key to guaranteeing peace and stability in the region, and on the continent. During the phone conversation the Kosovo-Serbian dialogue mediated by the Union was mentioned, too.

"In a comment on that part of the conversation, Kurti said that Kosovo was committed to a principled dialogue - one that would lead to a legally binding agreement centered on mutual recognition. Escobar said that the U.S. supported the dialogue, and that it was committed to making progress towards the end goal of the process," the government of Kosovo went on to say in the release.