US diplomat assures Kosovo that new draft of association of Serb municipalities offers no autonomy
PRISTINA, Kosovo (AP) — The U.S. ambassador urged Kosovo’s government on Thursday to proceed with establishing an association of its Serb majority towns in order to unblock European Union-facilitated normalization talks with Serbia.
U.S. Ambassador Jeffrey M. Hovenier said “there is no reason for the government of Kosovo not to move forward with this draft statute.”
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During a trip to the region at the end of last month, told Kosovo to establish an Association of the Serb-Majority Municipalities and pushed Serbia to deliver “de facto recognition” of the independence of Kosovo, which Belgrade still considers its province.
“I don’t see how you have autonomy under those circumstances,” the ambassador said.
The new draft has set clearly that Kosovo’s Constitutional Court is to decide whether it is within the constitutional boundaries.
Both Serbia and Kosovo have said they want to join the 27-nation European block, but
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