The establishment of Association and the return of Serbs to institutions, all that Bidenı's envoy declared yesterday

She made these comments on the second day of her visit to Kosovo, during which she and Prime Minister Albin Kurti and Economy Minister Artane Rizvanolli made the opening of Kosovo's first auction for a 100 megawatt solar energy park.

The focus of the United States is on implementing the framework for normalising relations between Kosovo and Serbia. It has always been the United States' stance that this should result in mutual recognition, and of course that continues to be our attitude. But for now we have a special focus on the importance of association of Serb majority municipalities, as well as the importance of turning Kosovo Serbs into institutions as soon as possible”, she said.

Power said the political elections in the future are very difficult, while underlining that progress on issues like establishing association would pave the way for progress on many other issues.

I think you see the unity between the European Union and the United States. We've also made it very clear through American department adviser Derek Chollet and US envoy Gabriel Escobar, what the principles we believe should be founded on. We are confident that with sincerity and clarity in this matter, the way will be opened for significant progress on many other important issues in the days ahead, said Mrs. Power.

Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti reiterated the position that the agreement on normalising relations with Serbia should be implemented in all, without delay and unconditional conditions.

“11 articles on the basic agreement, 12 points on the application annex, and this should have full implementation without delay and unconditional conditions. That is what will be discussed at the next meeting in Brussels”, Prime Minister Kurti said.

Kosovo and Serbia's chief negotiators, Besnik Bislimi and Petar Petkovic, are expected to meet on Monday next week in Brussels to discuss implementing the agreement on normalising Kosovo relations Serbia.

Power stressed the United States' commitment to helping Kosovo boost economic development and empower democracy as well as to take, as it said, the “country it belongs to in Euro-Atlantic institutions”.

Power is standing in Kosovo after a visit to Serbia, where it promised United States support for Serbia and Kosovo, while the two enemy wartime countries work to stabilise relations at a time of increased tensions.

The European Union has spent 12 years facilitating negotiations between Serbia and Kosovo. Kosovo declared independence in 2008, but Serbia does not recognise its citizenship.

The two countries are told they must normalise relations in order to advance their goals of membership in the European Union. The sides have agreed to support an EU plan on the issue, but tensions remain high.

Solar power park is expected to supply about 20,000 families

Prime Minister Kurti, weighing the role of the American Agency for International Development, said helping this energy sector agency in Kosovo is of special importance.

He stressed that the global energy crisis, which followed Russian aggression in Ukraine in 2022, has already proved that energy security is national security.

The path to which we are headed is that of independence from the fossils of autocratic states, which Europe's energy dependence has been abandoned. Increasing threats to climate change make energy transition more urgent. We are doing this with our trusted friend, partner, the powerful ally of the United States of America, who has already witnessed our entire development”, he said.

Minister Rizvanolli said adequate conditions have been created for investors both domestic and foreign for the construction of this park, which, according to estimates, will be able to supply electricity to about 20,000 households.

“We are provided to provide a series of critical priorities, including identifying and providing suitable land, guaranteed purchase price and simple administrative procedures. Beyond technical criteria and investment opportunities, we have met all the conditions for companies that want to invest in Kosovo to have a serious, fair and transparent partner”, said Mrs. Rizvanolli, underlining that “this result comes from sustainable co-operation between the Kosovo government with one of our key development partners, USAID, whose contribution is irreplaceable for our energy sector and beyond<3>.

Power said the opening of the auction is a powerful symbol of the direction Kosovo's economy is taking.

We have thankfully seen a very powerful and important commitment of Kosovo leaders to launch a transformation of the energy sector. I hope that Kosovo will serve as a model for other countries to work in similar directions. Kosovo has started this path by setting clear, ambitious but reachable goals in its energy strategy in which it develops U nAID had the pleasure of helping”, she said.

Kosovo currently meets most of its electricity needs from two old thermal power plants that work on lyne coals and are deemed harmful to the environment, while connoisseurs of the field constantly warn that long-term steps should lead Kosovo towards restoring energy. / VOA