Why is America viewing us as poor, not as victims of war?

In recent days, I had the opportunity to see some television debates where the issue of Kosovo dialogue with Serbia being held these days in Washington was covered. All these debates, with all their guests, tended to build and convey their political positions on the “final agreement” while ignoring the economic topics for which it will actually be dialogue. The conviction of each of them seemed to be that “could not be discussed the economy with Serbia” and that the whole process was inconsistent.

It seemed like thinking dialogue with Serbia from economic perspective caught everyone unprepared. Analysts, journalists, politicians and militants. This was something that could not be thought of because there was not enough drama, and it was impossible to build the constant struggle of good people and patriots against evil and traitors.

For eight months, Kosovo's two prime ministers, Kurti and Haradinaj, said they had fallen from the US power because of their opposition to the “territorial exchange idea on ethnic grounds”. The United States publicly denied that it was supporting and advancing such a solution for dialogue. The public truth was that the US pressured to remove obstacles to the resumption of dialogue ( Haradinaj's 100% customs rate and Kurti reciprocity). However, except that the “exchange of territories” existed as an idea (Thaci, Rama, Bolton etc). There was no evidence that this talk came out of the dialogue somewhere, and let alone that it had been drafted (from unconfirmed news reportedly) offered as a final solution. On the other hand, the evidence for an economic dialogue was not missing. Green since Kurti took power had enabled two economic agreements between Kosovo and Serbia (Hourudles, commercial flights). Another evidence is current dialogue with a clear focus on the economy, which could not be further away from such solutions that raised ethnic divisions.

Yet, former Prime Minister Albin Kurti is also rejecting this form of dialogue. Not just our representatives in this dialogue, but the dialogue itself. A few days ago, he said Kosovo's problem with Serbia was not the economy and called it the American emissary for dialogue, Richard Greenenelli, “

What is his position on dialogue? At first it was cut and clear “not negotiations”, nor even sitting on the table without meeting a list of requests. Afterwards, he emerged in the position of '%s' as prime minister when he tried through various ideas to persuade Serbia to return to the dialogue without meeting these requirements on its part. It allowed a period of 76 days (April 1st, June 15th), its proposed period without any customs duties and reciprocity, when practically no such obstacles would exist. These were rejected by the United States.

But from what we learned from the last few months of 2020, there was a U.S. effort for economic dialogue while we know nothing about their support for the exchange of territories.

What did Kurt and Serbia want to talk about without apology, no reparations if not for the economy? What did he want to talk to Kosovo Serbs if not for their integration into Kosovo, and specifically, their economy and our common economy?

Economic dialogue with Serbia in no way means forgetting the crimes that were committed 21 years ago. It does not mean in any form the forgetting of missing, murdered, raped, and burned homes. For Kosovo, economic co-operation with neighbours, as well as Serbia, is necessary because of the economic conditions in which it is located: the small market, disqualified labour power, increasing inequality of opportunity.

Our problem with Serbia was even economic. How could the KLA be organised and led by Yugoslavia's poorest and oppressed people? And why at the very time of a major economic crisis when they were completely deprived of perspective?

The current US dialogue fully focused on economic themes is actually the best and most conservative so far and deserves to be supported, despite deep apathy we feel for President Donald Trump.

Those who promote nationalist hatred and passion must understand that people can someday see beyond television debates and social networks. Kosovo's main problem with Serbia, as with corruption, is the economy.