US, Serbia discuss de-escalation in Western Balkans

WASHINGTON

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Serbian Foreign Minister Marko Djuric on Wednesday discussed the importance of de-escalating tensions in the Western Balkans, with a particular focus on Kosovo and Bosnia and Herzegovina, according to the State Department.

The two also discussed ways to advance regional stability and set the stage for economic growth and prosperity, it said in a statement.

"The United States is committed to a mutually beneficial relationship with Serbia that delivers for our citizens and our interests," the statement said.

They agreed to hold a bilateral strategic dialogue later this year to "deepen economic and security ties."

The talks come amid a new spike in tensions after Serbia suspended the EU-brokered normalization process with Kosovo following the arrest of a Serbian official. Kosovo accuses the official of inciting ethnic hatred, while Serbia has called the move repressive.

The standoff has fueled fears of instability in a region still grappling with unresolved ethnic divisions.