Envoy: U.S. Provides Continuous Support for Kosovo’s EU Accession

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

The U.S. envoy for the Western Balkans, Gabriel Escobar, voiced U.S. support to Kosovo’s accession to the European Union (EU) during an Oct. 19 visit to Pristina.

Speaking to reporters after a meeting with Kosovo President Vjosa Osmani, Escobar referred to Kosovo as “a very good ally” to the U.S., and a very good friend, too.

“The purpose of the visit is to see in what way cooperation with a very good ally and a good friend develops. The friendship and partnership are based not only on a shared interest, but on sharing the same values. I want to express continuous U.S. support to Kosovo’s Euro-Atlantic aspirations and solidarity for Kosovo in this moment of crisis,” Escobar said, adding that the U.S. supported the EU-mediated dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia, and that he was proud that Kosovo had contributed to the common agenda.

President Osmani said that Kosovo was always the constructive side in the dialogue, and that it was prepared to strengthen its commitment to intensifying the process. She underlined that Serbia was refusing to respect the agreements the two parties had signed, particularly the one on disbanding criminal groups in the north of Kosovo, and that instead it continued to support those structures, financially and politically.