State and political leaders in Kosovo have reacted after the US announced on Friday that it was suspending the strategic dialogue with the country indefinitely, Kosovo media reported.
The US Embassy in Pristina wrote in an article in "Ex" that the United States is indefinitely suspending the planned strategic dialogue with Kosovo due to concerns about the actions of the outgoing government in Pristina, which have increased tension and instability and limited the US's ability to work productively with Kosovo on joint priorities.
As a reason for this, they cited "recent actions and statements by the outgoing Prime Minister (Albin) Kurti", which have put "in question the progress achieved over a long period of time. years", but did not provide further details.
The strategic dialogue is a process that the US State Department usually develops with different countries around the world with the aim of developing bilateral relations, notes the Kosovo newspaper "Koha Ditore". This process includes high-level discussions between the two countries, which are held either in Washington or in the respective country on a wide range of topics such as defense, security, environment, energy, economic cooperation, etc.
Kosovo President Vjosa Osmani expressed regret and deep concern over the decision to suspend the US strategic dialogue with Kosovo, the newspaper wrote. In a statement, she said that the Republic of Kosovo was built on the foundations of an unbreakable friendship with the US.
"The citizens of Kosovo know that their freedom has become a reality also thanks to the decisive assistance of the US and that without this historic friendship we would never have reached where we are today. The President of the Republic of Kosovo will continue to work closely with the United States in all areas of common interest: strengthening peace and stability in the region, further democratization of our country, building a Euro-Atlantic future, as well as the continued protection of the sovereignty, territorial integrity and constitutional order of the Republic of Kosovo," the statement of the Kosovo President states.
She added that the security of Kosovo is linked to the support of the United States and called on everyone to "take with maximum seriousness and responsibility the preservation of this sacred union."
Osmani also stated that he would be committed to resuming this dialogue as soon as possible, because Kosovo's partnership with the United States is "not only a guarantee for the present, but also the safest compass for the future."
The Kosovo government also reacted to the news of the suspension of the strategic dialogue. Government spokesman Parparim Kruesiu, quoted by the Kosovo newspaper, stressed that relations between Kosovo and the United States remain stable and that Kosovo remains the United States' most serious partner for stability and peace in the region.
In a post on "Facebook" He stated that the current Kosovo government is the first to complete its full four-year mandate since the country declared independence from Serbia in 2008. He added that the government has contributed to the institutional stability and social and economic development of the country despite global challenges such as the COVID-19 pandemic, the energy crisis and the war in Ukraine.
He added that the actions of the executive branch have always been legal and constitutional, aiming to eliminate sources of instability and strengthen the rule of law, especially in the northern part of Kosovo.
Krujeziu stressed that Kosovo has depoliticized the integration of the Serbian community, protecting citizens from illegal Serbian structures and proposing concrete measures such as employment and validation of diplomas from the University of Mitrovica (Northern Kosovo).
In Kosovo, there are municipalities, public companies and enterprises, kindergartens, primary and secondary schools and public universities, which are directly funded by the Serbian government and are located in cities and towns where the Serbian community lives. According to Kosovo law, these institutions are illegal, and Pristina calls them "parallel institutions".
Serbia does not recognize the independence of its former province of Kosovo, which was declared in 2008. Belgrade and Pristina are engaged in a dialogue to normalize relations with the mediation of the EU.
Both the US and the EU have criticized a number of actions by the Kosovo government related to northern Kosovo, which is predominantly populated by Serbs. What the Kosovo authorities call “extension of sovereignty“ and rule of law throughout the country are often called “unilateral and uncoordinated actions“ by the EU and the US.
At the end of his post, Kruesiu expressed gratitude for the US contribution to Kosovo. “We also welcome criticism. When it is specific, we try our best to improve and correct our steps and actions,” he wrote.
The chairman of the right-wing Alliance for the Future of Kosovo (AAK), Ramush Haradinaj, reacted to today's news of the suspension of the strategic dialogue by stating that Kosovo is experiencing the darkest days in its history, the “Koha Ditore” newspaper reports. He added that he had long warned about the "irresponsible and destructive behavior of Kurti and his government".
The leader of the center-right Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK) Memli Krasniqi, quoted by the same publication, called in a statement on the pro-Western parties in Kosovo to unite and give the country a "responsible government". He said that this "serious development is a direct consequence of the reckless actions of the outgoing government and the outgoing Prime Minister Albin Kurti".
Krasniqi recalled that Kosovo is also under European sanctions, and that with the US decision announced today, "the country is sliding in a dangerous direction due to an irresponsible government". According to the PDK, the suspension of the strategic dialogue directly damages relations with Kosovo's main ally and calls into question the international authority of the state.
The EU imposed sanctions on Kosovo in June 2023 due to the escalation of tensions in northern Kosovo and continues to maintain them with the argument that Kosovo has not done enough to de-escalate the situation in the northern part of the country, which is predominantly populated by Serbs.
There was also a reaction from Lumir Abdijiku, leader of the center-right Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK). He described the suspension of the US strategic dialogue with Kosovo as the most difficult moment in relations between the two countries.
„The suspension of the strategic dialogue with the US represents the lowest point in Kosovo's relations with our strategic and existential ally; as an independent and sovereign state“, Abdijiku wrote on "Facebook", quoted by "Koha Ditore".
He called on Kosovo citizens to unite, emphasizing that it is time to stop "political madness" and return Kosovo to its Euro-Atlantic path.
Republicans and Democrats in the US Congress have introduced a draft resolution calling on President Donald Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio to support Montenegro's accession process to the European Union, Radio Free Europe (RFE) reported.
The document, prepared by Republican Congressman Mike Turner and Democrat Shelley Pingree, has already been sent for consideration to the House Foreign Affairs Committee.
The resolution emphasizes Montenegro's strategic role as a NATO ally despite Russia's attempts to hinder the country's Euro-Atlantic integration, the media outlet notes. The text also notes Podgorica's support for Ukraine after the start of the Russian invasion, including providing military aid for over 11 million euros, accepting a significant number of Ukrainian citizens and implementing European sanctions against Moscow.
Former Foreign Minister and Ambassador of Montenegro to Washington Srdjan Darmanovic commented that the initiative is logical and expected, since the United States traditionally supports the EU's enlargement policy and values Montenegro's role in NATO. He recalled that in 2018 he presented Congressman Turner with the Order of the Montenegrin Flag for his contribution to the country's membership in the alliance.
Shelly Pingree leads the Montenegrin Caucus in Congress and represents the state of Maine, with which Montenegro has had a strategic partnership since 2006, especially in the field of defense and adaptation to NATO standards, RFE/RL recalls.
The submitted document also emphasizes cooperation between Podgorica and Washington in the fight against corruption, organized crime and hybrid threats. The congressmen insist that the US authorities work closely with the Montenegrin government on the framework for countering disinformation and foreign interference - a State Department mechanism considered key to the security of the United States and partner countries.
US President Donald Trump's special envoy - Richard Grenell - also expressed support for Montenegro as a "reliable NATO member" during a meeting with the Balkan country's Defense Minister Dragan Krapovic, RFE/RL recalls. He welcomed the progress in European integration and Podgorica's efforts for stability in the region.
The text of the draft resolution states that the US encourages Montenegro to accelerate reforms related to EU membership. Currently, the country has opened almost all negotiation chapters, with the government setting a goal to close them by the end of next year and join the union in 2028. So far, just over 20 percent of them have been finalized, the media outlet notes.
Despite active support from US congressmen, Montenegro has not had an ambassador in Washington for three and a half years, RFE/RL recalls. A new representative was elected only last year, and the country currently has no lobbyists in the United States - a practice maintained almost without interruption between 1995 and 2015.
The draft resolution introduced is seen as a sign of bipartisan support in Congress and as a clear message that Washington continues to stand behind Montenegro's European perspective despite intra-party differences and changes in the American administration, RFE/RL also writes.