Strategic Dialogue Suspension Strikes Kosovo Economy

The United States' recent decision to suspend the planned Strategic Dialogue with Kosovo is estimated to be the worst slap the country has been able to give.

The influence in addition to the political aspect is estimated to be large in economic terms as well.

Kosovo's Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Kosovo Economic Oda have reacted with deep concern following the United States decision.

Djetik emphasises that relations with the US are vital for Kosovo, remembering that America has always been a strategic partner in building democratic institutions, economic development and Euro-Atlantic integration. The institution estimates that any action damaging this report is against the interests of citizens and the country's economic future.

For us, strong and stable relations with the US are vital, as the US has always been our biggest strategic partner and has given crucial support for building democratic institutions, economic development and Euro-Atlantic integration in Kosovo. The Djetik estimates that any actions or statements that jeopardise the destruction of this report are at the expense of the interests of citizens and Kosovo's economic future.

Kosovo's Chamber of Commerce and Industry has been the first to have asked the government to urgently remove the tax on American products, but the steps taken by the executive were late and without any positive effect”

The American Economic Oda in Kosovo expresses its deep concern over the United States Embassy's announcement of the suspension of Strategic Dialogue with Kosovo.

The suspension of this strategic importance initiative for Kosovo, according to O The EAK, represents a step back for Kosovo's economic and diplomatic aspirations.

At this crucial moment, it is essential that the Government of Kosovo immediately change its approach and engage in closer co-ordination with the United States of America and other international partners. Kosovo has no greater supporters and partner than the United States of America, and this reality must be reflected in the actions and decisions of its institutions”.

This Ode says that only through constructive co-operation and approach with the most reliable allies, “Kosovo can guarantee stability, unblock economic opportunities, as well as ensure long-term prosperity for its citizens”.

The American Economic Oda says it remains committed to supporting the advancement of partnership between the US and Kosovo, and calls on all political and nonpolitical heeders in Kosovo to act responsibly and urgently to restore confidence and dialogue.

In a response, the Kosovo Economic Oda expressed serious concern, naming the suspension of Strategic Dialogue as “a step back for the economic and diplomatic aspirations of the Republic of Kosovo”.

OEK says Kosovo's image as a safe and suitable investment destination should be treated as a national priority.

Kosovo's “Economica expressed deep concern over the United States Embassy's announcement of the suspension of Strategic Dialogue with Kosovo.

The suspension of this initiative, which is of particular importance to economic development and strengthening the country's international position, represents a step back for the economic and diplomatic aspirations of the Republic of Kosovo.

The Economic Chamber stresses that improving Kosovo's image as a safe and suitable investment destination should be a national priority.

The loss of foreign investment, along with the loss of investments by the diaspora, is creating an extremely challenging situation for the country's economy, which is already facing numerous difficulties. The lack of foreign direct investment, combined with the loss of investments by the diaspora, is leading the economy towards an increasingly challenging situation”.

Meanwhile, the Economic Chamber of Women of Kosovo G7 has expressed concern over the recent statement by the US Embassy in Pristina, assessing that political tensions and full institutional dysfunction can produce serious consequences for the country's stability and economic development.

Kosovo's economic development, according to the G7, is inseparable by rule of law, the stable functioning of institutions and full respect of constitutional standards.

“In the absence of such an environment, foreign and local investments suffer decline, companies face numerous barriers, and market confidence in Kosovo is significantly damaged. A climate of political uncertainty not only slows reform processes but also lowers the country's competitiveness level in the region and compromises prospects for sustainable development. In this context, small and medium-sized enterprises, which make up the basis of the economy, are most exposed to the consequences of instability”, the G7 says in a response sent to the media.

On the other hand, it points out that especially women-led companies face significant challenges in providing access to finance, long-term investment planning, and expanding their capacities.

“These restrictions pose a direct risk to economic growth and prevent the country's full exploitation of the development potential”, it said in that response.

Meanwhile, the Albanian-American Relations Council (AARC) through an official response has expressed deep concern over the suspension of Strategic Dialogue between the United States of America and Kosovo.

According to the Council, this development should serve as a call for immediate action for Kosovo leaders and institutions.

They call for the Constitution and constitutional order of Kosovo to be respected, and done without delay for the establishment of institutions.

For a while now, AARC has warned of an erosion in Kosovo- USA.

Diplomatic relations are at a very low historical point, and the suspension of Strategic Dialogue is the latest and most alarming example of this deterioration. This trend must be reversed immediately. Reconstruction of trust and partnership requires close co-ordination with the United States at each level”, it is written in their response.

The point is that in practice, there is no sovereignty for Kosovo without the support of the United States.

The probability and unwillingness to engage in dialogue has created extreme polarization in Kosovo. Issues that have been clearly defined and resolved by the Constitution have also been unnecessarily transformed into legal and constitutional disputes.

Patriotism and love for Kosovo will not belong to any single individual or political party. On the contrary, governments whether they operate in the quality of custody or as powerful and political parties have the obligation to lead responsibly and create an environment for political dialogue. The issues of sovereignty, international obligations, independence and other vital state interests belong to all of Kosovo's people, not just one party or government”.

Among other things, the Albanian-American Relations Council “stresses that the pro-American spirit of the people of Kosovo should never be manipulated or misused”.

The United States Embassy in Pristina on Friday announced that the US has indefinitely suspended strategic dialogue with Kosovo. Reference to the Embassy's statement of recent actions and statements by incumbent Prime Minister Albin Kurti has presented challenges to progress made over many years.

The US Embassy's post in Pristina said the United States has suspended the planned Strategic Dialogue with Kosovo due to concerns about government actions that have raised tensions and instability, limiting the United States' ability to work productively with Kosovo on joint priorities.

“We remain committed to advancing the common interests of the United States and the people of Kosovo. Our relationship with Kosovo is based on a common goal: strengthening peace and stability as the basis for mutual economic prosperity. Unfortunately, recent actions and statements by incumbent Kurti have presented challenges to progress made over the many years”.

Strategic dialogue is a process that the US State Department in most cases develops with different countries of the world aimed at advancing bilateral relations.

This process includes high-level discussions between the two countries that are held either in Washington or in the current country, on a wide range of topics such as defence, security, environment, energy, economics, etc.

Based on information from the State Department, the US has developed strategic dialogue with France, the United Kingdom, Romania, Austria, Poland, Slovenia, Moldova, Greece, northern Macedonia, Qatar, Oman, Bahrain, Egypt, etc.

In the region, only Northern Macedonia has entered such a strategic dialogue with the US.