In a letter sent to Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic acknowledging Serbia’s national day, the US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has urged for mutual recognition between Serbia and Kosovo.
Noting the fact that Serbia still doesn’t recognize the independence of Kosovo, Blinken has underscored this in his letter that the mutual recognition between both countries is an integral step for the European integration of Serbia.
Emphasizing that the US and Serbia commemorate 140 years of diplomatic relations and have a shared history steeped in friendship and deep cultural ties, Blinken wrote that the US is committed to supporting Belgrade’s goal of integration into the European Union.
Additionally, as Blinked wrote, the US encourages comprehensive normalization of relations and is encouraging Serbia in reaching an agreement with Kosovo centered on mutual recognition, noting that such an agreement will foster greater security and stability in the region.
Only days ago, US President Joe Biden also urged Vucic in a letter to normalize relations between Kosovo and Serbia, starting with mutual recognition, stressing that Belgrade’s aspirations towards the EU also depend on the progress of the full normalization of relations with Kosovo.
Most Western nations have recognized Kosovo’s independence declared in 2008, nine years after the 78-day air campaign NATO conducted against Serbia to stop the alleged bloody crackdown against ethnic Albanians in Kosovo.
However, Serbia, along with its allies Russia and China have not, recognized Kosovo’s independence and, if it’s to believe President Vucic recently reiterated statement, that recognition of Kosovo will never happen.
The ongoing deadlock around Kosovo’s recognition has prevented a full stabilization of the Balkan region after the bloody wars of the 1990s and is keeping tensions simmering.
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