The US explains the reasons for the decision to suspend the strategic dialogue with Kosovo. The decision followed actions that "have created division and instability," according to the US official.
A senior US official from the US Department of State for European Affairs has stated that the US was extremely concerned by Kurti's concrete attempt to prevent the Srpska List from participating in the local elections on October 12. The senior official stated that there are a number of actions by the Kosovo authorities regarding northern Kosovo that we believe were destabilizing and about which the US has raised concerns. "The one thing I would particularly emphasize, which was most concerning to us, were the concrete efforts to prevent the citizens of Kosovo, and in this case the Kosovo Serbs, from electing their representatives, both in the broad sense and in leading positions in institutions."
This was the reason, according to a senior official at the US State Department during a conversation with the Kosovar daily Koha, that the US decided to suspend the planned strategic dialogue. Albin Kurti. According to the US, the "red line" was crossed, especially with the "attempt to prevent the participation of the Serbian List in the elections". Actions were also taken against the Kosovo government by the EU. Due to unilateral and uncoordinated actions in the north, the European Union has imposed several sanctions on Kosovo in 2023.
The US is not withdrawing from KFOR
The termination of the strategic dialogue has no consequences for the American commitment to KFOR. The US Department confirmed that the American presence in KFOR is essential for American interests in peace and stability in the Western Balkans. However, expansion of measures in other areas has not been ruled out, if the current government or a future government continues with the same actions as before.
Kurti: Relations with the US have not broken down
After the interruption of the strategic dialogue with Kosovo, acting Prime Minister Albin Kurti acknowledged that his acting government has "some" differences in positions with the United States, but insisted that relations between the two countries have not broken down. According to Kurti, "the differences between him and the United States often have to do with our positions in relation to Serbia and actions against its illegal structures in Kosovo."
The American official stressed that "Serbia's parallel structures should be integrated within Kosovo's institutions, but this should be done in a way that ensures a long-term and sustainable solution." A few days before the local elections on October 12, the acting Prime Minister, Albin Kurti, addressed Serbian citizens through a video message, announcing that "during the next mandate" the Government will work to integrate education and health into a single system, joining experiences and forces with international partners, including the European Union, QUINT countries and KFOR. The Srpska List, which is the largest party of Kosovo Serbs, reacted to Kurti's statements, emphasizing that "the integration of education and health into the Kosovo system is not part of any agreement," and described this as a "threat to the Serbian community." /DW
