Escobar in Pristina: PM Kurti has two days to respond to requests

If you turn your back on this agreement, you have turned your back on Europe, with all the consequences that follow, instability in relations, lack of funding and of freedom of movement, US Special Envoy for the Western Balkans Gabriel Escobar said in Pristina.

We see that decisions are being made despite our partnership and that to us is a signal, Escobar told a group of media in Pristina, including KoSSev.

The fact that we always stand by the people of Kosovo does not mean that we have to stand by an individual who does not share this instinct for cooperation and coordination, Escobar said following talks with Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti and President Vjosa Osmani in Pristina.

Escobar underlined that Kurti has two days to respond to the requests presented to him at the meeting, and that he and European Union (EU) Special Representative for the Belgrade-Pristina Dialogue Miroslav Lajcak will report by Friday whether any progress has been made.

Escobar also mentioned Article 7 of the Ohrid agreement, the formation of the Community of Serb Municipalities (CSM), noting that Kurti has a draft law on CSM but that he is hiding it.

He stressed that the Kosovo authorities need to immediately come forward with a draft law on the formation of the CSM. They have it, they just don’t want to present it, said Escobar.

Following two-day talks in Pristina, Escobar and Lajcak left for Belgrade, noticeably disappointed with the lack of a positive outcome of talks with the Kosovo Prime Minister, KoSSev reported.