Trump Admin Negotiates Historic Serbia-Kosovo Peace Accord
--
The two nations have agreed to normalize economic relations 21 years after a bloody conflict tore them apart.
U.S. President Donald Trump announced the signing of a major agreement between Serbia and Kosovo at the White House on Friday.
In the Oval Office, with key members of the Trump administration and delegates from both countries looking on, President Aleksandar Vučić of Serbia and Prime Minister Avdullah Hoti of Kosovo signed a commitment to normalize economic relations between the two countries.
“This is a truly historic day — a very, very important day, especially in a beautiful part of the world. I’m pleased to announce a truly historic commitment: Serbia and Kosovo have each committed to economic normalization. Very expect — very important term. They’ve been working on this for many, many years — decades, actually,” President Trump said.
“After a violent and tragic history, and years of failed negotiations, my administration proposed a new way of bridging the divide. By focusing on job creation and economic growth, the two countries were able to reach a major breakthrough — something that nobody thought was going to be possible. And I think it’s going to work out very well. And we’re going to be working with them on economic cooperation across a broad range of issue — issues.,” Trump continued.
The US-brokered negotiations will see the two Balkan states establish an economic relationship focused on job creation and creating momentum for future agreements. Both countries have already agreed to continue developing air and rail links and to restore commercial flights between both nation’s capitals, Belgrade and Pristina, clearing the way for the first flight between the two in 21 years.
As part of the agreement, Serbia will move its embassy in Israel to Jerusalem and Kosovo will recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.
The mainly-Muslim country of Kosovo has agreed to move towards normalizing ties and establishing diplomatic relations with Israel. Kosovo has not recognized Israel since the Trump administration moved the U.S. embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem in 2018.
