Derek Chollet, during his visit to Kosovo on Wednesday, emphasized that both Kosovo and Serbia must urgently engage in the dialogue led by the European Union.

“We are at a critical moment. We believe Kosovo and Serbia should urgently engage in the dialogue led by the European Union, which is working towards a comprehensive agreement for the normalization of relations focused on mutual recognition,” the US State Department advisor told journalists.

Chollet said the US believes that dialogue is the best tool for Kosovo to secure its full European and Euro-Atlantic future.

The dialogue process, the European plan and the relations between Kosovo and Serbia were among the topics of discussion between the Prime Minister of Kosovo, Albin Kurti, and Chollet.

After the meeting, Chollet  expressed that he appreciated the constructive approach of Kosovo in the dialogue.

“Important conversation with Prime Minister Albin Kurti on Dialogue. Appreciate Kosovo engaging constructively and flexibly. Looking forward to continued partnership on advancing ongoing efforts towards normalization of relations between Kosovo and Serbia,” Chollet wrote on Twitter 

Before Kurti, Chollet, who started his visit to Kosovo on January 11, met President Vjosa Osmani.

Meanwhile, at a meeting with officials of the main Kosovo Serbian party Serbian list, Chollet emphasized the importance of the formation of the Association of Municipalities with Serbian majority, ASM, in accordance with the constitution of Kosovo.

“Informative meeting with Srpska List members. Valuable to hear the concerns of all communities in Kosovo.  Need Kosovan Serbs in Kosovan institutions. We continue to emphasize the importance of an ASM consistent with Kosovo’s Constitution,” Chollet wrote on Twitter.

The visit comes at a time of new international efforts to speed up the process of normalizing relations between Kosovo and Serbia.

The State Department advisor, in the meeting with Osmani and Kurti, was accompanied by the US envoy to the Western Balkans, Gabriel Escobar.

Earlier on January 11, Chollet also visited Skopje, North Macedonia, and after Prishtina he left for Belgrade.

Before starting the visit to Kosovo, the US Department of State notified that Chollet would talk with leaders of Kosovo and Serbia about Euro-Atlantic integration, including reaching an agreement for the normalization of relations between the two states, based on mutual recognition.