Blinken: Energy, Missing Persons Issues Should Be Resolved as Basis for Progress

Anthony Blinken

U.S. Secretary of State Anthony Blinken has said in a letter to Kosovo Premier Albin Kurti that in a "near-term compromise" energy issues in northern Kosovo should be resolved through an agreement and that progress should be made in the matter of missing persons.

This, as he put it, would be the basis for further progress toward normalization, which is to end in mutual recognition. Kosovo website Koha (koha.net) reported late on Jan. 13 that Blinken had urged Kurti to restore momentum to the dialogue, at the same time calling on him to uphold Kosovo's prior commitments and avoid rhetoric that may increase tensions.

Blinken called on the government to uphold judicial rulings - especially those related to minority rights, which refer to recent pressure from the U.S. and Kosovo's other partners regarding the Community of Serb Municipalities and the land around the Decani Monastery. Blinken, however, reiterated U.S.' persistent stance that the dialogue should focus on mutual recognition.

He said that the relationship between Kosovo and the United States was rooted in shared democratic values and a commitment to "a sovereign, independent Kosovo."

Blinken added that the unresolved relations between Kosovo and Serbia remained an obstacle to membership in European and Euro-Atlantic institutions and Kosovo's accession to said institutions was the common goal of Kosovo and the U.S. He offered support to the dialogue led by the European Union. "We believe the EU-facilitated dialogue remains the best forum for normalization negotiations between Belgrade and Pristina, and we closely coordinate with our EU partners to this end," wrote Blinken.