United States State undersecretary for Europe and Asia Daniel Fried has once again affirmed the support for the Kosovo government position. During the press conference in Prishtina this afternoon, Kosovo President said that Kosovo will stand behind the Joint Action Plan created with the international partners on the implementation of Kosovo independence.

PM Thaçi thanked Daniel Fried and the role of the government of the United States for supporting stability in the Balkan. Thaçi said that "EULEX should be extended on the whole territory of Kosovo. Kosovo independence was a two-year project of the international community. Kosovo has always found ways with its international partners to get out of situations, which others have created for her," concluded Thaçi referring to Serbia.  

State Undersecretary Daniel Fried said that they had common support for EULEX deployment throughout Kosovo. Fried focused on the need to extend EULEX deployment throughout Kosovo and only briefly touched on the six-point plan. "

 

We agreed and understand the position of the Kosovo government and its mandate from February. We have supported Kosovo for many years. The United States have kept their word to the Kosovo people and will do so on the future. Although I do not represent Europe, Europe will also keep her word."

"The future of Kosovo is in Europe, hopefully as a member of the EU. We hope that EULEX is deployed throughout the territory of Kosovo in a satisfactory manner for Kosovo." Fried said that he brought with him NATO's SAUCER commander to prove his support for Kosovo.

Asked how he saw the solution to the negotiations blockade between Brussels and Prishtina, Fried said that the government of Kosovo has supported the EULEX deployment. "EULEX will be deployed in cooperation with the Government of Kosovo in every step of the way" and promised that he would get involved in the negotiations.  

Fried said that "if the reformulation of the six-point plan created between Belgrade and the UN would satisfy Prishtina, he would agree with it, but this is not the case, and the UN should have talked to the sovereign government of Kosovo. EULEX is an ambitious plan and the US is part of this mission. I am convinced that the Kosovo leaders are doing their best," said Fried.

On the earlier statements made by US Ambassador to Prishtina Tina Kaidanow supporting the six-point plan, Fried said that Kaidanow was right, however "ultimately, it is the government that takes decisions. Our agreement remains with the sovereign government of the Republic Kosovo," concluded Fried.