Biden and Thaci in Pristina: ZSO, or isolation

Biden and Thaci in Pristina: ZSO, or isolation

Biden told a joint news conference on Wednesday after his meeting with Kosovo President Hashim Thaci that the agreement, and the establishment of the ZSO "will have a positive impact on the region."

Thaci said that without the ZSO, "Kosovo would remain isolated from the EU and the United States."

Biden also said that Pristina must have close cooperation with what he referred to as "its neighbors."

He said that both Prime Minister Isa Mustafa and Thaci expressed themselves "positively" on the issue of continuing the talks with Belgrade, with the mediation of the EU.

"It will be difficult, but necessary. I also spoke with (Aleksandar) Vucic about this issue," said Biden, and warned that Kosovo Albanian politicians "have an obligation and responsibility to adhere to the obligations set out in Brussels" - i.e., during the EU-sponsored Belgrade-Pristina talks.

Noting that this is an issue of crucial importance for Kosovo's progress in Europe, Biden promised that the U.S. will continue to help Kosovo.

The U.S., he said, has secured more than two billion dollars in aid to Pristina.

"We want to have a strong Kosovo that will be a full member of the EU," said Biden.

He also remarked that he was honored to name the Urosevac-Gjilane highway after his son Beau Biden, but noted that all the things mentioned previously were more important for Kosovo than the ceremony to name the highway.

Thaci told reporters that the dialogue with Belgrade would be "on the agenda" quickly. As for the demarcation agreement with Montenegro, Thaci "confirmed that it is a fair agreement."

He also once reiterated that it was "a great honor" for Pristina to be visited by the U.S. vice president.