US have no secret plan for land swaps between Kosovo and Serbia, Ambassadors say

Gazeta Express

26/03/2020 22:53

The US President Donald Trump’s special envoy on Kosovo-Serbia dialogue, Richard Grenell; US Ambassador to Pristina, Philip Kosnett; and, special representatives on Western Balkans, Matthew Palmer, issued a joint statement late on Thursday making clear that the US has no secret plan for land swaps between Kosovo and Serbia, as some have speculated, Gazeta Express reports.

“The United States stands with the people of Kosovo.  We commend the continued efforts of the health professionals and others who are working hard, at great risk, to reduce the progress of COVID-19 in Kosovo.  In this time of uncertainty, we urge Kosovo’s leaders to follow Kosovo’s Constitution and the rule of law.  We are committed to working with any government formed through the constitutional process,” according to the statement issued by the US State Department. The US Ambassadors dealing with Kosovo urged Kosovo’s leaders to lift the tariffs completely.  We believe the tariffs are harming the people of Kosovo by hindering regional cooperation against COVID-19 – including by delaying the entry into Kosovo of needed supplies – and hindering economic growth.

“We want to make clear there is no secret plan for land swaps between Kosovo and Serbia, as some have speculated. Special Presidential Envoy Richard Grenell has never seen nor discussed such a plan,” it is written in the press release. “The U.S. Government’s focus on supporting the recent agreements to re-establish air, rail, and highway connections between Kosovo and Serbia aims to improve the economy and create economic momentum.  We believe this momentum will give new energy to a dialogue process that would lead to mutual recognition,” it is concluded in the statement issued by the US State Department. /GazetaExpress/