Chollet in Belgrade, Franco-German plan for Kosovo also on agenda

NEWS 12.01.202312:15
derek šole
Nhac NGUYEN / AFP

US State Department Counselor Derek Chollet is visiting Belgrade today for talks with the highest Serbian officials.

Chollet will first have a working lunch with Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic following which he is to have separate meetings with Prime Minister Ana Brnabic and Foreign Affairs Minister Ivica Dacic.

One of the topics on the agenda will be the continuation of the Belgrade-Pristina dialogue, including the Franco-German plan for Kosovo that has been adopted by the European Union (EU).

It has been announced that Chollet will also discuss with the officials in Belgrade energy security, regional economic integration, Serbia’s progress on the European path and its role in strengthening regional peace and security.

Chollet’s visit was announced last week by Vucic, who described him as “an extremely important man” for Serbia.

“Chollet is a serious, dedicated, young, smart man. I believe in creating better relations with the USA, we will see how it goes. It won’t be an easy conversation, but I believe we can talk,” Vucic said on January 4.

Chollet is coming to Belgrade within his Western Balkans tour that he began with a visit to Skopje, where he met with the Prime Minister of North Macedonia, Dimitar Kovacevski.

Chollet was in Kosovo on Wednesday, where he had meetings with Prime Minister Albin Kurti, President Vjosa Osmani and representatives of political parties.

The US Department of State earlier announced that Chollet will visit Skopje, Pristina and Belgrade to underscore the enduring US commitment to peace, stability, and prosperity in the Western Balkans.