Kosovo’s acting Prime Minister Albin Kurti has called for Camp Bondsteel to be transformed into a permanent US military presence in Kosovo, describing such a move as a strategic guarantee for peace and security in the country and the wider region.
Kurti made the proposal following a meeting with US Senator Joni Ernst, whom he described as one of Kosovo’s strongest friends and most vocal advocates in the US Congress.
The meeting focused on Kosovo’s economic development, the domestic security situation and the country’s political challenges, according to Kurti.
“Camp Bondsteel should be transformed into a permanent military presence in our Republic,” Kurti said. He argued that such a presence would serve as a guarantee of peace and security in Kosovo and the region, while also providing a strategic base for NATO operations in Southeastern Europe.
Kurti thanked Ernst for what he described as her continued support for Kosovo and her contribution to strengthening the partnership between Prishtina and Washington.
“I had the pleasure of welcoming Senator Joni Ernst to the Office of the Prime Minister, one of the great friends of the Republic and among Kosovo’s strongest advocates in the United States Congress,” Kurti said.
The two also discussed Kosovo’s political situation and the need to continue talks with parliamentary parties in an effort to reach an agreement on the formation of state institutions.
“We also discussed the political situation in the country and the importance of continuing discussions with parliamentary political parties to reach an agreement on the formation of institutions,” Kurti said.
The proposal to make Bondsteel a permanent US military presence comes as Kosovo continues to emphasize its strategic partnership with the United States and NATO as central pillars of its national and regional security policy.
