UN does not confirm, nor deny Kosovo's invitation to the Democracy summit

Local media in Kosovo are reporting that Kosovo has been invited to the Democracy Summit, organised by US President Joe Biden.

This Sam, first organised, will take place annually on December 9th-10, and leaders from many countries in the world, members of civil society and the private sector will participate.

Even the Voice of America has reported in the Serbian language that it has learned from several sources in Washington that it is possible that Kosovo and Serbia will be invited to this Sam.

An American State Department spokesman has told Radio Free Europe that invitations are not public so it cannot confirm or deny invitations.

“We will continue to stress that this Sam aims to be inclusive by a detailed regional and socio-economic scheme of developed democracies and those developing”.

On an informally published list by the American daily Politico, from Western Balkan countries to Sam, Kosovo, Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina have not been invited.

On the other hand, Albania, Montenegro and Northern Macedonia have been invited.

The guest list still remains at the level of informal information.

However, Serbian Prime Minister Ana Brnabiq has confirmed on Friday, November 12th for Serbia's Radio Television (RTS) that Serbia will be part of this summit.

Brnabyq, who is participating in the organisation of the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Agency (UNESCO) for the 75th anniversary of the establishment, has said the invitation is good news, although there is no reason for euphoria.

Vice President (Serbian) Aleksandar Vuciq will participate online. We have received an invitation, and this speaks of senseless hypocrisy and criticism in the country and in the region”, Brnabyq said.

Serbia's participation in Sam has confirmed the American Embassy in Belgrade, the Voice of America in Serbian has reported.

Days ago, a group of nongovernmental organisations from Kosovo has asked through a letter that, the United States, consider calling Kosovo to participate in this Sam.

Civil society representatives have sent letters to US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Europe and Eurasia at the same time to envoys for the Western Balkans Gabriel Escobar and Coordinator for Democracy and Human Rights to the National Security Council, Chanhi Kalathil, in which they gave their reasons why Kosovo should be part of this initiative.

The summit for democracy will have three key topics: protection against authoritarianism, address and fight corruption and advance respect for human rights.

After the first meeting and consultations on it, Biden will invite world leaders again to discuss the progress made.