America has intensified commitment to restart Kosovo dialogue- Serbia

Kosovo President Hashim Thaci is convinced that under President Donald Trump's leadership the Kosovo-Serbia agreement will be reached. Albin Kurti promises co-ordination with Thaci for Kosovo's foreign policy.

The United States of America and president-in-chief Donald Trump in Kosovo-Serbia talks, Richard Green have intensified commitment to resume Kosovo and Serbia's interrupted dialogue for more than a year. Several times through Twitter last weekend, Richard Green asked the Kosovo side to lift the fee on Serbian goods to pave the way for dialogue. An assessment of Kosovo President Hashim Thaci, where he praises the Green mediator for his engagement, scattered him to the other US president himself, Donald Trump. This prompted Kosovo President Hashim Thaci to declare that, under the leadership of the American president, he is convinced the Kosovo-Serbia agreement will be reached.

US Vice President Donald Trump has shown great attention to strengthening peace and stability in the Western Balkans. His letters have sketched the epilogue of the process of dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia, which must end with mutual recognition. Under President Trump's leadership and the excellent work of Ambassador Green, I am faithful, that this process will soon be completed with recognition between Kosovo and Serbia. We are blessed with US permanent support for the people and the state of Kosovo”, Hashim Thaci wrote on Sunday in his social profile.

Albin Kurti promises co-operation with Thaci

Kosovo's new prime minister, Albin Kurti, said he would co-operate closely with President Hashim Thaci to represent the country's foreign policy uniquely. It is urgent that we have a unique foreign policy in the international arena. So that it doesn't go on like these past two years. The new government and I as the new prime minister want to co-ordinate even with the country's current president so that we don't have in foreign policy a kecophony that will surely become harmful. I think this is the most important thing for our country and not the one who's going to be here after a few months”, Prime Minister Kurti said.

Albin Kurti has already confirmed that he will lift the fee on Serbia's goods, but will replace it with full reciprocity, trade and economic policy towards Serbia. “We consider that we are here, where we are, as the new government also because of our pledge, that with Serbia we will have reciprocity, political, economic and trade as replacement for the 100% fee. We do not say that we will return to asymmetric relations with Serbia, rather we will advance by transforming our subjectivity into issues of integrity and dignity in the principle, which is mostly known in its value in bilateral neighbourly reports, and that is reciprocity”, Albin Kurti has declared.

Vuciq: “Things are not that simple”

Albin Kurti's statements about imposing full reciprocity on Serbia have been commented by Serbia's President Aleksandar Vuciq. He says that “things are not as simple as being in opposition and that he speaks without responsibility”, Serbian media quote. “As far as replacing the fee with reciprocity, this cannot happen, as Serbia does not recognise Kosovo as state”, has declared Vuciq, who, however, warned of the removal of the fee from Kurti's government, calls it good news.

Albin Kurti

While in Kosovo the two leaders of the new opposition, former Prime Minister Ramush Haradinaj and Democratic Party of Kosovo leader Kadri Veselini, opposed Albin Kurtin, who would lift the 100% fee against Serbia's goods. Don't take Albin tax. Don't back down for some temporary points you can get from the international community. A friend who is a true friend loves and helps you with praise but also with criticism. If we're not the best of ourselves, no friend wants us. Reconsit Alb's decision. We can continue to disagree. For these sovereign disagreements, the verdict has been issued on October 6th, but this is a topic greater than a handful of votes”, Ramush Haradinaj wrote in a public letter to Kurti.

Meanwhile, Kadri Veselin former chairman of the Kosovo assembly asked Albin Kurti “not to rush with the removal of the fee on Serbia's goods”, but this one responded immediately to the US envoy in the Kosovo- Serbia Richard Green. “Candri, United States of America are urging Kosovo to remove the 100 %s tax. It is damaging Kosovo and preventing businesses from creating new jobs. Albin's right here, 18x3>, he wrote Grenelli on eight.

Different Access B US towards Kosovo?

During his visit to Kosovo, the US special envoy for the Kosovo dialogue issue- Serbia's Richard Greenell, said the United States and President Donald Trump are interested in resolving problems and open issues in the Kosovo-Serbia dialogue. Even European diplomacy chief Josep Borrell said during the visit to Kosovo “that Kosovo- Serbia must continue in order to reach a final agreement between the two countries”. The chief of European diplomacy said the European Union will mediate in the Kosovo-Serbia dialogue, but without racing with the US or President Trump's envoy in Kosovo-Serbia dialogue, Richard Green. Josep Borrell warned that the EU would also appoint a special representative for the Kosovo-Serbia dialogue.

Joseph Borrell

Political analysts see differences in the US and EU approach in the Kosovo-Serbia dialogue. According to Armend Muja, the US and the EU have different approaches regarding the Kosovo-Serbia dialogue. “The US through Ambassador Richard Green will insist on an accelerated approach to dialogue, while the EU will insist on a slower approach. Trump will insist on quick conclusion of the talks before the presidential election campaign in November 2020. Two key principles will dominate US access, speed and a perception that economic development helps reduce tensions between countries. While the EU still does not have a unified approach”, says Armend Muja, recalling early the mediation of Kosovo-Serbia dialogue by former European diplomacy chief Federika Moghrini and later through the Berlin process initiated by French President and German Chancellor Angela Merkel.

Merkel has already officially invited new Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti to visit Berlin, reminding him that his government expects difficult tasks. You and your government have important and difficult tasks ahead of you. This includes establishing and expanding the rule of law, fighting corruption and organised crime, improving the economic situation, and especially dialogue on normalisation with Serbia. These are the main steps to strengthen your country's European perspective. The Federal government will continue to support Kosovo this way”, Merkel wrote in her letter of congratulations for Albin Kurti's new government. The date has yet to be known, when Albin Kurti will travel to Germany, but what is already known is that the first visit outside Kosovo as prime minister, Albin Kurti, will take place in Albania during Tuesday's 11,02.2020.