U.S. Ambassador to Kosovo Jeffrey Hovenier said on March 15 that a proposal by the European Union on the normalization of relations between Kosovo and Serbia marks "significant" progress and that a comprehensive agreement appears within reach.
“The United States does not assess that a better deal is available at this time. This is a significant step forward”, Hovenier said in Pristina, adding that the agreement and its implementation will bring “real benefits, practical, political, and economic.”
“It is an interim agreement, and the United States stands strongly behind and with a position we’ve maintained for years that we do look forward to an ultimate final agreement that is eventually centered at mutual recognition. That is the goal. This gets us much closer,” Hovenier added.
Hovenier spoke to journalists in Pristina a few days before Kosovar Prime Minister Albin Kurti and Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic are due to meet in North Macedonia to discuss the implementation of the EU proposal they agreed to in Brussels last month.
The EU proposal, previously known as the Franco-German plan, does not oblige Serbia to recognize Kosovo's independence, but the two countries would recognize each other's documents, such as passports, diplomas, and license plates.
Under the plan, Serbia should not object to Kosovo’s membership in any international organization.
The plan also provides for the parties to implement all the agreements reached so far in the normalization dialogue, including one on forming an association for municipalities in Kosovo that have a Serbian majority.
Vucic and Kurti are scheduled to meet in Ohrid in North Macedonia on March 18.
Hovenier also said that, in the event of an agreement in Ohrid on the implementation of the EU proposal, Kosovo may face “renewed American activity” with regard to its bid to join the NATO alliance's Partnership for Peace program.
In Brussels on February 27, Kurti and Vucic pledged their willingness to continue the implementation of the EU normalization plan.
But, on March 12, Vucic appeared to pour cold water on the hopes of a quick agreement, saying that there will be "neither factual nor de jure" recognition of Kosovo under his leadership.
"I will not be the one who will sign the independence of Kosovo," Vucic said on March 11, according to local news agency Beta, adding that he would be "ashamed to circumvent Serbia."