DW: Reactions after the suspension of the US-Kosovo strategic dialogue

2025-09-13 09:35:00, Kosova & Bota CNA

The US suspended the strategic dialogue with Kosovo due to the actions of the acting government led by Albin Kurti. Reactions from the opposition are harsh.

"The citizens of Kosovo know that their freedom became a reality also with the decisive help of the US and that without this historic friendship we would never have reached where we are today. The President of the Republic of Kosovo will continue to work closely with the United States in all areas of common interest: strengthening peace and stability in the region, further democratizing our country, building a Euro-Atlantic future, as well as the continued protection of the sovereignty, territorial integrity and constitutional order of the Republic of Kosovo," Osmani said in a statement. According to her, "Kosovo's security is linked to the support of the US," and called for "everyone to take the preservation of this sacred alliance with the utmost seriousness and responsibility."

VV: We welcome criticism.

Acting Prime Minister Albin Kurti has not commented on the US decision to suspend the strategic dialogue with Kosovo, but his spokesman, Përparim Kryeziu, said "criticism is also welcome, whenever it is concrete."

"We are making every effort to improve and correct our steps and actions. We remain committed to advancing the common interests shared by the United States and the people of Kosovo," said government spokesman Kryeziu.

Invitation to opposition parties at the US embassy

The three leaders of the previous opposition parties, the leader of the Democratic Party of Kosovo, PDK, Memli Krasniqi, the leader of the Democratic League of Kosovo, LDK, Lumir Abdixhiku, and the leader of the Alliance for the Future of Kosovo, AAK, Ramush Haradinaj, were reportedly invited on Friday evening by the US embassy in Pristina to separate meetings away from the media. It was not said what was discussed in the meeting with the charge d'affaires at the US embassy, ??Anu Prattipati. But the leaders of the previous opposition, immediately after the US decision, harshly criticized the acting Prime Minister Albin Kurti.

PDK: Irresponsible actions of the government

Memli Krasniqi, chairman of the PDK, said that "this serious development is a direct consequence of the reckless and irresponsible actions of the outgoing government and the outgoing Prime Minister, Albin Kurti."

"His behavior has violated the trust and partnership with our largest and most important strategic ally, the USA, the country that has been and remains the greatest supporter of Kosovo's freedom, independence and state-building. This is the greatest political, diplomatic and strategic damage caused to the Republic of Kosovo in its 25 years of freedom, directly violating relations with our main ally and questioning the international credibility of our state," said Krasniqi.

A difficult moment

LDK Chairman Lumir Abdixhiku said that "the suspension of the US strategic dialogue with Kosovo is the most difficult moment in relations between the two countries."

"The suspension of the strategic dialogue with the US represents the lowest point in Kosovo's relations with our strategic and existential ally; as an independent and sovereign state," Abdixhiku wrote, accusing the incumbent government of "building its path on crisis and division" and calling it "destructive of the state and violative of the Constitution and the law."

And AAK leader Ramush Haradinaj said that "Kosovo is going through the darkest days in its history."

"It has been a long time since I and the Alliance have raised our concerns about the irresponsible and destructive behavior of Kurti and his government. Today, we find ourselves in a situation that could not have been imagined for Kosovo. I invite all political forces and the entire Kosovar society to urgently reflect on the situation we find ourselves in," said Haradinaj.

Reactions from business and civil society

Representatives of the economy and business in Kosovo also expressed deep concern after the US decision to suspend the Strategic Dialogue with Kosovo. The Kosovo Chamber of Commerce "appeals for the speedy resumption of the Strategic Dialogue with the US and the consolidation of economic policies, in order to restore investor confidence and create stable conditions for development."

There were also reactions from many civil society organizations, which unanimously call for unity of the Kosovar political spectrum and the return of strategic dialogue with the US.

Why was the strategic dialogue suspended?

The United States' decision to suspend the strategic dialogue with Kosovo came on the day when Kosovo authorities suspended the work of the Health Insurance Fund and the Disability and Pension Insurance Fund, which operate under the Serbian system in North Mitrovica. Also, a day earlier, Kosovo authorities took control of the postal facilities in Gracanica and Štrpce, where the Serbian Post operated through a parallel system. As a result of these actions, the US decision to suspend the strategic dialogue followed.

The strategic dialogue, which the US suspended with Kosovo on Friday, is a process that the US State Department usually conducts with countries around the world with the aim of advancing bilateral relations. This process 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, etc.

In recent weeks, acting Prime Minister Albin Kurti and senior officials from his party have also criticized the Constitutional Court for what they call "bias", emphasizing that "the Constitutional Court is close to the Albanian parties that were in opposition last term."

The Vetevendosje Movement, through its representatives in the CEC, has also made unsuccessful attempts to ban Lista Srpska from participating in both the parliamentary elections in February this year and the local elections to be held on October 12. The Constitutional Court and the ambassadors of the QUINT countries, as well as the European Union, have condemned the pressure of Kurti and his party on the Constitutional Court and the justice system as a whole./ DW