As Ambassador of the United States to Kosovo, Jeffrey Hovenier, concludes his tenure, he has shared his perspectives on various important issues, including the recent attack in Zubin Potok, the new U.S. administration, and the Kosovo-Serbia dialogue.
Kosovo’s Responsibility and Dialogue with Serbia:
Hovenier emphasized the importance of Kosovo demonstrating its responsibility to its allies, particularly the United States, by fulfilling its obligations arising from agreements made in the dialogue with Serbia. He expressed hope that both Kosovo and Serbia would show more commitment to implementing the agreements reached, specifically those from the Brussels Agreement and the annex adopted in Ohrid.
Potential Policy Shifts with a Trump Return:
Hovenier noted that as a current ambassador, he cannot predict what the next U.S. administration will do. However, he acknowledged that there could be policy differences between a potential Trump administration and the current Biden administration. New administrations typically review unresolved issues and may adjust certain policies, though he refrained from speculating further on this matter.
Kosovo’s Constitutional Review of the Association:
Regarding the Association of Serb-majority municipalities, Hovenier reiterated his request for the Kosovo government to send the draft to the Constitutional Court for review, to ensure its compliance with the Constitution of Kosovo. He stated that once this step is taken, positive developments would begin for Kosovo, as it already has assurances from international partners. He also emphasized that the Association should not have executive powers and should not resemble entities like Republika Srpska.
Support for Kosovo from the U.S.:
Reflecting on U.S.-Kosovo relations, Hovenier highlighted the strong and consistent support from the American people. He pointed out that the U.S. supported Kosovo before and after the 1999 crisis and was among the first countries to recognize Kosovo’s independence in 2008.
The Ibër-Lepenc Canal Attack:
On the recent attack on the Ibër-Lepenc canal, Hovenier stated it was too early to attribute responsibility. While investigations are ongoing, he emphasized that the U.S. is working closely with Kosovar authorities to ensure the investigation is thorough, credible, and transparent. He condemned the attack on critical infrastructure, which disrupted electricity and water supplies to the citizens.
Advice to Kosovo’s Government:
He advised the Kosovo government, which has accused Serbia of carrying out the attack, to wait for the completion of the investigation before assigning blame, as this would ensure broad support and accountability for those responsible.
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