US Embassy: We intend to work with the new government to advance shared priorities

2025-12-17 16:09:00, Kosova & Bota CNA

US Embassy: We intend to work with the new government to advance shared

The United States Embassy in Kosovo told Radio Free Europe (RFE/RL) on Wednesday that following the December 28 parliamentary elections in Kosovo, it intends to work closely with the newly elected government "to advance shared priorities."

A spokesperson for the US Embassy in Pristina said in several written responses to REL that he hopes that "our partnership will deepen with the government of Kosovo," including resuming the planned Strategic Dialogue.

"This will require action to advance our shared agenda for regional peace, stability, and mutual economic prosperity," the US Embassy spokesperson said.

This stance of the Embassy comes after statements made by the acting Prime Minister, Albin Kurti, during an interview on local television Kanal 10 that relations between the two countries are very good and the main disagreements have always been related to Serbia and its structures, and never to bilateral issues.

On December 11, Kurti also said that when it comes to defense and security, relations "have never been better."

However, in September of this year, the US announced the indefinite suspension of the planned Strategic Dialogue with Kosovo, due to concerns regarding the actions of the incumbent Government.

The US Embassy also said they are "disappointed by Kurti's actions", stressing that his positions have increased instability and insecurity in Kosovo.

The dialogue was planned to strengthen economic and diplomatic relations, but Kurti's actions were seen as a challenge to progress.

Some political analysts commented at the time that the suspension was a warning that international support for Kurti and his government was fading.

Kurti initially admitted that there were some differences with the US, but relations with Washington had not broken down. Then, on September 28, he said that the reason for the suspension of the planned Strategic Dialogue was due to the rule of law in northern Kosovo, "which turned out to be against illegal Serbian structures and here I cannot make compromises."

The Strategic Dialogue, which the US conducts with other countries, involves high-level discussions between the two countries that take place either in Washington or in the respective country, on a wide range of topics such as defense, security, environment, energy, economic cooperation, and others.

The United States has allocated over $2 billion to Kosovo since 1998. Washington is considered Kosovo's most important partner and its support is considered vital for the country.

In recent years, Kurti, who has been in power since winning the 2021 elections, has been criticized several times by the international community due to several decisions in northern Kosovo, inhabited by a Serb majority, related to the replacement of Serbian license plates with Kosovo ones, the removal of the Serbian dinar from use, and the closure of Serbian institutions.

He said that these actions are within the framework of extending the rule of law in the north, emphasizing that they are in accordance with the Constitution and the laws of the country.

However, the US and European centers have often described these as unilateral and uncoordinated actions./ Rel