United States' special envoy for the Western Balkans, Gabriel Escobar, said Friday that he expects a productive meeting in Ohrid between Kosovo and Serbia on Saturday, March 18. 

Escobar made these comments in a press conference with Kosovo President Vjosa Osmani, on the second day of his visit to Kosovo. 

"I am very optimistic about a peaceful solution between Kosovo and Serbia. We intend to support any outcome that brings closer peace to the region, and intensifies opportunities for Kosovo and Serbia, and the entire region, to become full members of the Euro-Atlantic community. We think that this European proposal, facilitated through EU dialogue, provides an extraordinary opportunity for lasting peace between the two countries", he said. 

On the other hand, Osmani said that Kosovo goes towards Ohrid with the mindset that a "fair, stable and comprehensive agreement where we are treated as two equal states is the only way to ensure long-term peace, stability and prosperity in the region". 

She said she believes that this agreement includes important principles of international law and international relations, "which will pave the way to mutual recognition". Today, Escobar will also meet with the Speaker of the Assembly of Kosovo, Glauk Konjufca, and the next meeting will be with the Prime Minister of Kosovo, Albin Kurti. 

These meetings between the American emissary and the institutional leaders of Kosovo take place a day before the Prime Minister of Kosovo, Albin Kurti, and the President of Serbia, Aleksandar Vucic, meet in Ohrid, North Macedonia, in the new round of dialogue mediated by the European Union . 

In this round of talks, the parties are expected to discuss the implementation plan of the European proposal for the normalization of relations. Kosovo and Serbia accepted this proposal on February 27.