Brussels, 17 March 2023
On Friday, High Representative/Vice-President Josep Borrell held a phone conversation with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken. Their discussion focused on the upcoming High-Level meeting of the EU-facilitated dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina on Saturday in Ohrid, the situation in Ethiopia and preparations for the EU-US Energy Council next month.
HR/VP Borrell briefed Secretary Blinken on the latest developments related to the process of normalisation of relations between Kosovo and Serbia, outlined his expectations for the Ohrid meeting and underlined the importance of the progress in the Dialogue for the European aspirations of both Parties. He appreciated the continued clear support of the US for the EU’s efforts, especially for the Agreement on the path to normalisation of relations and for the process in the run-up to the High-Level meeting the High Representative is convening with President Vučić and Prime Minister Kurti this Saturday. Both agreed that this was the right time to make significant steps forward in the interest of the EU integration of Kosovo and Serbia.
HR/VP Borrell and Secretary Blinken reviewed the ongoing efforts on the road to peace, reconciliation and reconstruction in Ethiopia, and the support the international community, including the EU and US, is lending to this process. HR/VP Borrell stressed the need for partners to coordinate their approach and advance the gradual normalisation with Ethiopia depending on the improvements on the ground.
They looked forward to the upcoming EU-US Energy Council that will take place next month in Brussels. The current geopolitical environment made this meeting ever more important. They agreed to continue their discussions on pressing foreign policy issues in Brussels.
Source – EEAS