The suspension of strategic dialogue because of it, Kurti says it's not ruined with America

Speaking at a cabinet meeting in office, Kurti said the differences between him and the United States “are about our positions in relation to Serbia and actions towards its illegal structures in Kosovo”.

Even though the opposition are overreacting in negative light any events in our government reports with the American government, I don't want to minimize recent developments. I assure our citizens that our government deals seriously with the American Embassy's statements and attitudes”, he stressed.

Kosovo's relations with the United States took a blow last week, when the latter announced 12 September that it suspended the planned Strategic Dialogue with Kosovo, arguing with the government's actions in office and with increasing tensions and instability in the country.

Regarding this US decision, Kurti said he wants to clarify that “is meant to suspend planned strategic dialogue, rather than strategic dialogue as the process launched”.

Kurti added that “is not about breaking regular communication we have”.

Last week, an American Embassy spokesman in Pristina told REL that the United States needs a partner in Kosovo who understands the need to avoid destabilizing actions, advance regional stability and protect the rights of all Kosovo citizens.

Kurti insisted that, while there are “from time to time” incompatibility with the American Government on operational and tactical issues, “we agree on values, interests and purposes”.

Under Kurti, Kosovo authorities began closing Serbian parallel institutions in the north and south of the country last year, despite criticism from the international community, including the US.

As the work of the Health Insurance Fund and the Pension Insurance Fund, working according to Serbia's system, North Mitrovica, was suspended in recent weeks.

Kurti said Kosovo and the US continue to have strong relations on two pillars, defence and development.

Military co-operation is under way, with cases of purchasing military equipment and ammunition with the current administration going even better. While on the development stake, our government lifted the 10 per cent fee on American goods, the administration there continued the programme of the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC), for the Republic of Kosovo”, he added.

Last month, Kosovo agreed without a pilot AeroVironment RQ-20 Puma, bought from the United States.