Following U.S.-brokered talks, Serbia and Kosovo agreed to normalize economic relations. The talks included Serbia’s move of its embassy in Israel to Jerusalem and Kosovo’s recognition of Israel.
President Trump made the announcement Friday, Sept. 4, after meeting with Kosovo Prime Minister Horti and Serbian President Vucic in the Oval Office of the White House.
Trump said, “This has taken decades, because no one has tried to make it work. There was a lot of conflict, now there’s a lot of love.”
In addition, President Trump said in a statement, “By focusing on job creation and economic growth, the two countries were able to make real breakthroughs and develop economic cooperation on a wide range of issues.”
Kosovo declared independence from Serbia in 2008, but Serbia refuses to recognize it. Russia and China also do not recognize Kosovo’s independence.
Serbian President Vucic said Friday that President Trump had done a “remarkable” thing. He praised Trump’s commitment to the region and invited President Trump to visit Serbia.
Kosovo’s Prime Minister Vladimir Horti called the agreement to normalize economic relations a big step forward.
After Friday’s meeting at the White House, Horti and Vucic plan to meet with Secretary of State Pompeo at the U.S. State Department.
More than 100 U.N. member states have recognized Kosovo’s independence, including the U.S. and most European Union members. The only EU countries that have not recognized Kosovo’s independence are Slovenia, Cyprus, Greece, Romania, and Spain.
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