EU, US Push for ‘New Dynamics’ in Kosovo-Serbia Dialogue

The European Union and United States envoys for the EU-mediated dialogue, Miroslav Lajcak and Matthew Palmer, met leaders in Pristina on Monday and Tuesday in an attempt to display a concerted effort to resolve the dispute between the two countries.

Their visit comes ahead of a planned meeting between Kosovo and Serbia's leaders in mid-June.

Symbolically, Palmer and Lajcak sheltered under the same umbrella in rainy weather in Pristina as they walked to the entrance door of the Kosovo parliament building where the office of President Vjosa Osmani is located.

"Every time I am here, I take questions about the quality of cooperation between the EU and US and I always say that our cooperation is excellent and it cannot get better. The best demonstration of this cooperation is that Matthew Palmer is here," Lajcak told media.

Palmer said that United States is a partner in the dialogue.

"The US strongly supports the dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia… It is not up to the US to identify compromises. It is not up even to my friend Miroslav [Lajcak]. It is up to the sides to agree on parameters of the dialogue. We are here to help and advocate. We [the US] continue to believe that mutual recognition is the right way," Palmer said.

He added that the US continues to believe that "mutual recognition is the right way" to resolve the dispute.

When Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti met opposition leaders last week for consultation on the dialogue with Serbia, they requested that the US become more involved in the process.

Astrit Gashi, a political analyst from Pristina, said that any US involvement in the dialogue could give the process a new impetus.

"The dialogue could take on new dynamics, and if United States gets...