Reuters reports suspension of strategic dialogue by US

The United States has suspended dialogue on strengthening economic and diplomatic ties with Kosovo due to concerns that some moves by the provisional government have prompted <x0-tensions and instability”, the US Embassy in Pristina said on Friday.

The embassy did not specify which moves had caused the decision, but Washington has earlier accused Prime Minister Albin Kurti of worsening tensions in Kosovo's Serb majority north and of delaying the creation of new institutions after parliamentary elections in February, reports Reuters.

The United States has indefinitely suspended their planned Strategic Dialogue with Kosovo due to concerns about the actions of the provisional government that have raised tensions and instability”, the US Embassy's statement said.

“Recent actions and statements by Acting Prime Minister Kurti have presented challenges for progress made over many years”, she added.

In response, the Kosovo government said it is committed to peace and stability in the region.

We also welcome criticism. Whenever they are concrete, we make every possible effort to improve and correct our actions”, she said in a statement.

The US has been Kosovo's biggest supporter both politically and financially, and the decision to suspend dialogue marks a new low level in bilateral relations.

The European Union, which Kosovo hopes to join, imposed sanctions on the country in 2023 for inciting ethnic tensions in the Serb majority north.

The European Union has urged Pristina to establish an association of Serb municipalities to allow greater self-rule for Serbs. Fearing the secession, Kurti has rejected the proposal and has instead sought to erode the autonomy of Serbs in the north.

Kurti's Vetevendosje Party won the February 9th parliamentary elections, but failed to secure an absolute majority and has not been able to find a coalition partner to form a new government.

Kosovo declared independence from Serbia in 2008, nearly a decade after NATO bombings expelled Serbian forces from its territory.

The 50,000 Serbs living in northern Kosovo do not recognise Pristina institutions. Most view Belgrade as their capital and rely on it for salaries, pensions and health care.