Meetings with Kurti, Osman, Svechla and Haxhiun, senior officer of the Biden administration, postponed visit to Kosovo following unrest in the north

Assistant Secretary at the International Bureau of Narcotics and Law Implementation Issues Todd Robinson, on June 3rd, 2023, would land for an official visit to Pristina.

Just days before leaving for Kosovo, where it would stay until June 7, 2023, Robinson cancelled the trip by delaying his visit. All of this caused the situation that was created in the north, which led to Kosovo's penalties from the US, the country's main ally.

That the situation in northern Kosovo escalated since May 26th 2023, when the mayors of the three northern municipalities, under the association of the Kosovo Special Unit, tried to enter the municipal facilities, has been the reason to postpone the visit of the senior Biden administration official has confirmed on Thursday the US Embassy in Pristina.

Because of the current crisis in northern Kosovo, Assistant Secretary Robinson postponed his trip to Kosovo. We are calling on all sides to take immediate steps to reduce tensions and return to the EU facilitated dialogue”, a spokesman for the US Embassy in Kosovo told Reporter.

On his 4-day visit to Pristina, Assistant Secretary to the International Bureau of Narcotics and Law Implementation Issues Todd Robinson had envisioned a series of meetings with state and government chiefs and visits to various security institutions and rule of law in Kosovo.

As Reporter.net found out, Robinson earlier this week had a meeting with Prime Minister Albin Kurti on the agenda. He would also be expected in her office by President Vjosa Osmani.

On the agenda of the Robinson meetings, there were also meetings with Justice Minister Albulen Haxhiu, while accompanied by Interior Minister Xhelal Svechla, the senior US official was also planning to visit the Kosovo Academy for Public Security in Vushtrri.

Robinson's arrival in Kosovo was postponed with a <x0 punishative recognition” from the US on May 29th 2023, where, in addition to blocking official government visits between Pristina and Washington, it left Kosovo out of participation “Defender Europe 23” The multinational military exercise directed by the US European Command “Defender Europe<5>.

American penalties for Kosovo, following unrest in the north

All these penalties, widely seen as US sanctions on Kosovo, came after the recent riots in northern Kosovo. The country's western allies are holding Kosovo and Albin Kurti Government responsible for escalation in violence of the situation there. Tens of KFOR members have been injured during a clash with violent Serb protesters. The latter have also attacked Kosovo Police and Kosovo media journalists and teams.

I have to say, that for now, there is no great enthusiasm in the United States to respond to some of Kosovo's other interests, such as commitment to non-connoitent states, or active work to advance Kosovo's European or Euro-Atlantic trajectory”, the American Ambassador Jeff Houvenier announced in an interview given to some Kosovo journalists on May 30th 2023.

I have to say that we have been asked by Prime Minister Kurti, very directly, to take immediate steps to reach a escalation in the north. He has not responded to these requests”.

Who's Todd Robinson?

Ambassador Todd D. Robinson was sworn in as Assistant Secretary at the International Bureau of Narcotics and Law Implementation Issues on September 30th, 2021.

Robinson served for the last time as director of the International Students Management Office at the National Defence University. Prior to his assignment in NDU, he served as the High Council for Central America at the Western Hemisphere Bureau of Affairs in Washington, DC.

Ambassador Robinson was formerly tasked with Macau, Venezuela, from December 18th 2017 to May 22, 2018, when he was expelled by President Maduro. He has previously been the US ambassador to the Republic of Guatemala from September 16th 2014 to September 20, 2017.

Robinson is a career diplomat with the career minister.