Prime Minister of Kosovo Albin Kurti, along with Deputy Prime Minister Besnik Bislimi and Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Kreshnik Ahmeti, hosted U.S. Deputy Secretary of State for Management and Resources, Richard Verma, and Deputy Assistant Secretary for the Western Balkans, Alexander Kasanof, in Pristina.
Acknowledging U.S. Support
During the meeting, Kurti expressed gratitude for the unwavering U.S. support for Kosovo and their strategic partnership. The discussion followed the launch of the prequalification phase for designing and constructing energy storage systems (BESS), part of the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) agreement worth $236.7 million.
Kurti thanked the U.S. for its backing of energy projects and emphasized Kosovo’s achievements over the past four years, particularly in economic growth and democratic progress, aligning with the country’s strategic goals of NATO and EU membership.
Strategic Dialogue and Regional Cooperation
The meeting also covered opportunities to advance bilateral ties through the Strategic Dialogue. Kosovo’s alignment with the U.S. and EU on global issues, including sheltering Afghan refugees and sanctioning Russian aggression in Ukraine, was highlighted.
Kurti raised concerns about Serbia’s non-compliance with the Basic Agreement mediated by the EU and its failure to hand over Milan Radoičić and his group, accused of a terrorist attack in Banjska, where a Kosovo police officer, Afrim Bunjaku, was killed in September 2023.
The leaders reaffirmed their commitment to regional cooperation, fostering good neighborly relations, and strengthening Kosovo’s international partnerships.
