In a bold departure from diplomatic neutrality, Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s spokesperson, Matthew Miller, has thrown U.S. support behind the EU’s stance on Serbia’s new draft legislation that asserts legal jurisdiction over Kosovo as an “area of special protection,” where Serbian authorities would extend special social benefits to residents. The U.S. has condemned this move, saying it undermines the Belgrade-Pristina Dialogue.
“We agree with the EU that Serbia’s draft legislation claiming legal jurisdiction in Kosovo violates Dialogue obligations,” Miller stated unequivocally, breaking from the usual neutral stance in the Belgrade-Pristina Dialogue.
The U.S. has urged both Kosovo and Serbia to honor the 2023 Agreement, which includes establishing an Association of Serb-majority municipalities in Kosovo—a commitment that Kosovo has yet to meet since the 2013 Brussels Agreement.
Critics have highlighted an uneven response from the U.S., pointing out that Washington has been less vocal regarding Kosovo’s own breaches of Dialogue obligations. This perceived favoritism has fueled concerns among the Serbian community in Kosovo, who feel increasingly sidelined, especially following the suspension of the Serbian dinar.
With the draft law, the Serbian government has stated its intention to provide financial support to certain population groups “with the aim of their survival in that territory and encourages the preservation of cultural and historical heritage with a focus on demographic, economic, and cultural development.”
According to the Government of Serbia, these legal measures aim to assist the unemployed and individuals over 65 who do not qualify for a pension, offering financial support to promote a productive life and mitigate the effects of social exclusion.
The law also permits the specialization of courts that deal with criminal cases originating from Kosovo.
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