Alexander Kasanof, the US envoy for the Western Balkans, met with Kosovo’s leaders, President Vjosa Osmani and Prime Minister Albin Kurti, separately on Thursday in Pristina.
During her meeting with Kasanof, Osmani emphasized the need for a strategic dialogue with the United States and discussed deepening cooperation in various areas, including defense and security.
The US has expressed dissatisfaction with the actions of Kosovo’s authorities in the Serb-majority north this year, stating that these actions have impacted the partnership between the two nations. The US criticized the Kosovo government’s unilateral decisions regarding the Serbian dinar and the closure of parallel Serbian institutions.
Despite these tensions, Kurti maintains that his government’s actions are constitutional and in line with Kosovo’s laws. He reiterated that the US remains a key partner and ally of Kosovo.
After their discussions, Kurti stated on Facebook that they covered a wide range of topics focused on strengthening bilateral relations and expanding cooperation.
Kasanof’s visit is his first in the region as the US envoy, following his predecessors, and includes consultations with opposition leaders, civil society, and businesses.
The dialogue with Serbia was also addressed during the meeting, with Kurti highlighting Kosovo’s constructive approach and the need for the full and prompt implementation of previous agreements.
Negotiations for normalizing relations between Kosovo and Serbia have been ongoing since 2011, but high-level meetings have not occurred for over a year, with both sides accusing each other of failing to implement agreements.
