BELGRADE – Deputy Assistant Secretary of State and United States Special Representative for the Western Balkans Matthew Palemer said today that a longer postponement of the decision on the beginning of accession negotiations with North Macedonia and Albania would be a historical mistake which sends a bad message to the entire region.
Following his meeting with the President of Serbia Aleksandar Vučić in Belgrade, Palmer said that the United States supports the European perspective of the Western Balkans and that it will do everything in its power to convince EU to change its position before the meeting of the leaders in Zagreb in May next year.
He said that he had an opportunity to talk with President Vučić not only about the political situation in Serbia, but in region as well, which is, he said, especially important after the failure of the EU to find a compromise on opening of accession negotiations with North Macedonia and Albania next year.
“That was, in our opinion, a historic mistake and a bad message to the region as a whole”, Palmer said.
President Vučić commented on the renewal of the Belgrade-Pristina dialogue.
“I believe that we will soon, in two or three months, have the conditions for the continuation of the dialogue, which we expect will lead to a compromise solution”, said Vučić following his meeting with Palmer.
He said that he was satisfied with the meeting with US Special Representative, because all important issues have been considered.
“We are determined to find solutions that will enable better relations between Serbia and United States and a constructive approach and return to the dialogue in relations with Pristina”, Vučić stated.