For nearly four months, Kosovo has had its planned strategic dialogue with the United States suspended, and it remains unclear when or if it will be resumed. The US–Kosovo Strategic Dialogue was reportedly part of the discussions between President Vjosa Osmani and US Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau. Osmani stated that they discussed the steps forward and the actions Kosovo must undertake in order for the strategic dialogue with the United States to be reinstated.
However, in recent days, the US Embassy in Pristina has said that the United States is seeking concrete steps from Prime Minister Albin Kurti to reduce tensions and to advance the shared objective of strengthening peace and stability. Meanwhile, in the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) signed by President Trump, the consideration of establishing a strategic dialogue with Kosovo as well as with Serbia is mentioned, contingent upon the fulfillment of conditions arising from the implementation of the Implementation Annex.
National Defense Authorization Act
“Once sufficient progress has been achieved on the Implementation Annex, the United States should consider advancing initiatives to strengthen bilateral relations with both countries, which may include—
(A) the establishment of a bilateral strategic dialogue with Kosovo and Serbia; and
(B) advancing concrete initiatives to deepen economic ties and investments with both countries; and
(4) the United States should continue to support a final, comprehensive agreement between Kosovo and Serbia, based on mutual recognition.”
University professor of European Integration, Gazmend Qorraj, assesses that without the formation of new institutions and progress in the dialogue with Serbia, the strategic dialogue with the United States cannot be restored. According to him, institutions must act with restraint in order to preserve relations with the United States.
“The strategic dialogue with the United States is politically irreplaceable and vital for Kosovo, but the creation of new institutions is a prerequisite… I believe there will also be progress in the dialogue. The coming year should be crowned with progress in the dialogue with Serbia. We must be cautious and structure our approach,” Qorraj told RTV21.
The US–Kosovo Strategic Dialogue was aimed at strengthening economic and diplomatic ties for the benefit of both American and Kosovar citizens.
The Secretary of the Albanian-American Relations Council, Burim Rexhaj, says that Kosovo’s authorities must do everything possible to ensure the country’s return to this process. /RTV21
