The State Department's Special Envoy for the Western Balkans, Gabriel Escobar, stated today that the agreement reached in Ohrid two days ago is a step towards the normalization of relations between Belgrade and Pristina and that it is legally binding, even though it has not been signed.

In an online press conference, Escobar said it took "great courage and vision from Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic and Prime Minister of the Provisional Institutions Albin Kurti to get there."

- This contract is legally binding for both parties. Although it is not signed, it is an agreement in every sense, said the special envoy and specified that it really means – in every sense.

According to him, the head of European diplomacy, Joseph Borrell, made it clear that the parties have committed themselves and that the implementation of the agreement will affect the European path of both countries.

- The agreement is a path towards the reconciliation of Serbia and Kosovo. It is important to clarify how both sides will act. Implementation must start immediately and both parties will benefit from it. I believe that Euro-Atlantic integrations are the most important. We will only make progress if the agreement starts to be implemented as soon as possible, he said.

"It is important for both sides to implement everything that is left of the Brussels agreement. It is expected from both sides. We will continue to work with both parties and our partners," he said.