Escobar: Time for new approach by dialogue partners

In an interview with Voice of America, Escobar explained that, following yet another failure of talks between Belgrade and Pristina, the party that should change its approach is the one applying the ‘take it or leave it principle.’

“I am referring specifically to the Government of Kosovo. They have a clear obligation on what they need to do, and I think the statement of (European Union High Representative Josep) Borrell was very clear. With Serbia, we continue to encourage them to be both constructive and patient, but we also continue to ask Serbia not to do anything destabilizing inside of Kosovo,” said Escobar, adding that the dialogue needs to continue and that, for the region, there is no alternative to European integration.

He said he rejects all criticism against the mediator in the Belgrade-Pristina dialogue, European Union (EU) Special Representative Miroslav Lajcak, adding that Lajcak enjoys full trust of the EU and US.

Following the failure of talks, 27 EU member states publicly expressed their support for Lajcak, and Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti will have to deal with this. Lajcak and the dialogue will not go away. A country with a population of one and a half million will not convince the transatlantic community of 700,000,000 people to change its tactics, said Escobar, adding that the Kosovo Government needs a more pragmatic approach.

Explaining that he was disturbed by last week’s information that Lajcak was targeted on Kosovo social networks, Escobar said he has asked Kosovo President Vjosa Osmani and Prime Minister Kurti to condemn them.

“I am not saying they come from the Kosovo Government, but it is necessary to clearly say that personal attacks against the special envoy are unacceptable,” stressed Escobar.

Commenting on Serbia’s repeated failure to align with the Western allies’ measures against Russia, Escobar said Serbia should not be “an outlier” within the European family.

“We believe that Serbia should impose sanctions. Now, they are not under any legal obligation to do so, and they are clearly a country that can be in charge of its own foreign policy. But it’s not a good look for Serbia to be an outlier within the European family,” said Escobar.