US Ambassador says no one asking Serbia to recognize Kosovo

According to him, recognition of Kosovo is something Serbia should decide on its own. He added that Belgrade and Pristina are expected to deal with the issues that European Union envoy Miroslav Lajcak tabled and ease their mutual relations.

He said that Washington feels the Community of Serb Municipalities (CSM) should be formed to secure the requirements for the Serbs to live there without fear. The ambassador said the CSM is not a social experiment but includes tried and proven elements. Hill said the CSM is the first step needed to build trust and would spread to other parts of Kosovo.

Commenting the announced sale of US anti-armor missiles to Kosovo and talk of arming the Serbian military, Hill said that care should be taken to prevent an arms race. He said that aid to Kosovo is long-term and should lead to a situation which does not require foreign forces.