Kosovo Economy Dialogue in Washington, but Without Economy Minister

The Kosovo delegation travelled to Washington yesterday for the initial meeting September 4th under the final stage of dialogue with Serbia.

Prime Minister Avdullah Hoti is the leader, while part of the team are: Deputy Prime Minister Albulen Balaj-Halimi and Deputy Prime Minister Driton Selmanaj, Minister Melise Haradinaj-Stubla and Minister Selim Selimi from AAK ranks, as well as Minister of Infrastructure from LDK, Arba Abashi.

The delegation includes State Coordinator Skender Hyseni, and Prime Minister Ardita Dashi's cabinet chief.

From the National Security Adviser's office, Robert O'Brien, days ago confirmed to the clanosova.tv that progress on economic issues will be discussed at the meeting.

But how much does it make sense that in talks so important on economic issues, the most responsible person for economics in the Government of Kosovo, Blerim Kuci, is not present?

Klan Kosova has tried to get the official version of Kuci's non-partic participation at the Washington meeting, but he has been inconsistent all day.

Even in his cabinet, they have refused to address the issue.

Minister Blerim Kuci's absence on the Kosovo team is not viewed with good eye by Safet Gerjaliu, expert on economic issues.

The” should be understood that Serbia has a very powerful economic diplomacy. And if the structure of our delegation representing Kosovo is seen, it gives no space to wait with optimism. It's about economic agreements, and neither the Finance Minister nor the Economy Minister” participates.

According to Zekirija Shaban, the analyst who specializes in the economy, the contents of the meeting are still unclear, but it is a good step Kosovo has responded to the invitation for 4 September.

I have the impression that even the Kosovo delegation does not know exactly what it traveled to Washington”.

As a result, he does not consider the names of participants on this dialogue team to be influential.

” Until in the Kosovo representative team, political parties have been imposed participants due to the demands of coalition partners, not because of the agenda, this indicates the prime minister's inability to form a competent residential team”.

Gerjaliu expresses sceptical about the implementation of a possible deal that could result from this meeting.

There have been numerous economic agreements signed, but implementation is the problem. While Serbia does not recognise Kosovo, they can hardly be implemented”.

I don't want to believe that in America you're meant to agree or disagree. However, without resolving reports between Kosovo and Serbia, the Balkan issue remains hostage”, he told Klkosova.tv.

While Shaban estimates that the economic character agreement should bring Kosovo important arguments for the final agreement with Serbia.

Kosovo at this meeting would have to win guarantees for final agreements with Serbia that pave the way for building interstate reports. However, I expect concrete economic plans to be unveiled at this meeting that stimulate both countries with financial packages as preconditions for normalising relations”.

” Since 2011 we have a series of agreements signed between the two sides, which include improving economic reports but not leading to recognition. Therefore, the names of participants in the delegation are quite insignificant, the more so when in Kosovo ministers' positions are determined to fulfill political appetites and not fulfill duties to citizens”.

Since the meeting at the White House is set to take place between Kosovo Prime Minister Avdullah Hoti and Serbia's president, Aleksandar Vuciq, analyst Shabani says all the other representatives will only be guards without any agenda.