Hoti urges implementation of Washington Agreement

The American Economic Oda in Kosovo has held the discussion table concerning the four-year anniversary of the historic economic normalisation agreement between Kosovo and Serbia, mediated by the president, Donald Trump.

Avdullah Hoti, who was Kosovo's prime minister at the time, said that despite having spent over 4 years on reaching the agreement, Kosovo has failed to implement important projects that would have impacts on the country's economy.

He stressed that during the time of prime minister, he has worked with allies so that Kosovo can move on with integration, as well as reach final agreement with Serbia.

“We have been working closely with allies that the Kosovo issue be a challenge to Euro-Atlantic integration, not a security challenge. Now I fear that during these years we have returned to zero point where Kosovo is treated at Allied tables as a security problem. There is no dialogue for mutual recognition, an agreement has been reached in Brussels and an annex in Ohrid. Today in 2024, I believe we should be at a peak of investments on railways and on highways and on the port creation on the Pristina exit, and I'm very sorry that we haven't advanced in the gas project. These projects have not been cancelled, but we have wasted very valuable time. I believe that after the next election we will return this agenda. We are not looking at how in the near future we can reach an agreement with Serbia, so we should focus on the country's economy”, he added.

Hoti said he expects the new Trump administration to have more pragmatic access to Kosovo-Serbia dialogue.

I hesitate to interpret the policies of American presidents. How the new president will now approach Kosovo-led dialogue Serbia is trying to believe that we will see a much more pragmatic approach. I don't believe this approach can affect the achievements we have so far. This means pushing both sides into arrangements that change the two countries' approach to reaching final agreement”, Hoti added.

The director of the American Chamber of Commerce also spoke of the importance of Washington's agreement.

He said they are organising activities to bring Kosovo and Serbian businesses closer.

The next “has never occurred for such an agreement to be brokered by the US and signed into one of the important institutions. We are proud that the American Oda has continued to support the provisions of the Washington Agreement at that time. Economic Oda is organising activities to connect Kosovo's businesses with those of Serbia. We aim and believe that four freedoms are possible and take an optimistic stance on the future of these four freedoms”, Zeka stressed.