The leaders of Kosovo and Serbia have signed a deal on economic normalization at the White House on Friday.
It was signed by Kosovo’s Prime Minister Avdullah Hoti and Serbia’s President Aleksandar Vucic, and attended by US President Donald Trump.
Deputy Assistant to President Trump, Judd Deeva announced the news on Twitter, calling it “another historic agreement” reached by President Trump.
#BREAKING | President @realDonaldTrump has announced that Serbia and Kosovo have agreed to economic normalization. Another historic agreement reached by this President to make the world a more peaceful, prosperous place. 🇺🇸 🇷🇸 🇽🇰
— Judd Deere (@JuddPDeere45) September 4, 2020
The content of the deal has not been made public yet.
It excludes Kosovo’s recognition by Serbia, the main point of dispute between the two countries.
The two countries have been in talks facilitated by the EU since 2011, and Serbia has never accepted to discuss the recognition of Kosovo’s independence. Agreements on dozens of areas have been signed in the meantime but they have not been implemented.
Trump envoy Richard Grenell said the White House talks would exclude political issues and would focus on creating new jobs and strengthening ties to the West, as these were the requests he got from people of both countries during his visit in their capitals.
Kosovo’s largest party Vetevendosje has refused to support any deal signed by the Hoti government, which they consider illegitimate.
Governing coalition ally Ramush Haradinaj has threatened to quit if the deal included Serbia in the management of the Ujman Lake between Kosovo and Serbia.
