Kosovo will accept and shelter 50 individuals from the United States, as per a government decision on June 11, to facilitate their safe return to their country of origin. The identification and selection of these individuals will be conducted in collaboration with U.S. authorities, with temporary protection granted in accordance with relevant asylum legislation.
“Consequently, the selection of these individuals will be made with national security and public order in mind. Our institutions will continue to cooperate with those of the United States of America to ensure that this protection offered by the Republic of Kosovo is realized without obstacles and in continuous coordination,” the Government of Kosovo told RTKlive.
Successful Management of Previous Temporary Protection Programs
The government highlighted Kosovo’s successful management of previous temporary protection processes, citing the case of Afghan citizens in 2021, in cooperation with NATO and the United States, and the sheltering of Ukrainian citizens, including Ukrainian journalists under the Journalists-in-Residence (JiR) program.
The Ministry of Internal Affairs will handle individual cases separately. Under current laws, the duration of temporary protection is one year, with continuous assessment of circumstances in the country of origin, including taking necessary measures for the voluntary return of the individuals.
Kosovo will provide basic living conditions, including shelter, accommodation, food, clothing, hygiene kits, and access to healthcare, including emergency medical care and disease treatment, for those under temporary protection.
The Ministry of Internal Affairs is making all necessary preparations and is in continuous coordination with relevant U.S. authorities to ensure the smooth reception, accommodation, and provision of temporary protection derived from the June 11 decision.
“The United States of America remains our unwavering ally, and the Republic of Kosovo will always be their reliable partner. We are forever grateful for their continuous help and cooperation, and we highly value the support of the United States of America in defense and development, especially in our journey towards Euro-Atlantic integration,” the government’s response to RTKlive concluded.
