Separatist` leader urges U.S. to persuade Belgrade to recognize Kosovo

Ramush Haradinaj, Prime Minister of separatist Kosovo, has urged U.S. to help Kosovo achieve mutual recognition at the final stage of Belgrade-Pristina dialogue.

He said Kosovo and Serbia are entering final phase of the dialogue and the outcome of talks should be mutual recognition. “I want to enter the final phase of talks which includes mutual recognition. I have asked the U.S. help,” gazetaexpress.com quotes Haradinaj as saying on April 12.

Nevertheless, he admitted that the final phase of talks will be difficult without involvement of the world leaders, including U.S. President Donald Trump, German Chancellor Angela Merkel, and French President Emmanuel Macron.

Haradinaj said that he does not believe implementation of all agreements reached so far during the EU-facilitated dialogue in Brussels between Kosovo and Serbia will lead to mutual recognition, unless there is direct involvement of international community, the source reports.
He said Trump, Merkel and Macron should spend some time on the final phase of dialogue.

As EADaily reported earlier, Kosovo proclaimed independence from Serbia unilaterally in 2008.

Belgrade and Pristina are negotiating under aegis of EU “to normalize relations.” It is anticipated that the negotiations should end in signing of “a legally binding agreement” that Pristina interprets as recognition of its independence by Belgrade, whereas Serbia refuses to recognize secession of part of its territory.