Kosovo on the Peace Board, analysts: New security guarantee and strategic approach to US

Political analysts have estimated that Kosovo's participation in the Peace Board constitutes a strategic development for the country, stressing that this increases direct access to the White House, strengthens security guarantees and opens up new opportunities for international lobour and approach to NATO membership.

According to them, the fact that Kosovo is among the founding members of this mechanism and considered partners by the United States of America represents a strong political signal, both in the internal and international plan.

Political analyst Africa Kasolli has stressed that, despite Kosovo's real weight in international relations, it is important that the country be on the same line with the US and consider partner in global arrangements.

According to him, although Kosovo does not have extraordinary capacities, it should make its modest contribution military, financial and peace missions, including the mission that is preparing to be installed in the Gaza Strip.

We really know Kosovo's real weight in international relations. It is not that the state of Kosovo has extraordinary capacities to be contributing to these global arrangements, but it is important, meaning, that our country is on the same line and it is on the same track and it is considered as a partner from the United States of America to give its modest contribution, as far as possible, whether in terms of military, financial and other, in peace, in the peace mission in different centres, with the particular emphasis that it is preparing to be installed at the Gaza Strip of<1> he said.

Kasolli has stressed that Kosovo and Albania are two of the only countries in the region that continue to be treated with full solidarity by the US, underlining that Kosovo's state interest is to be on the same line with Washington and to have direct access to the White House.

So, it means, it's important, and not only Kosovo, but also Albania, the Albanian world, are two of the countries, there are two Albanian states, there are two of the only countries in the region that continue to be treated with full solidarity by the United States of America, and this is not little, despite the legal and international dilemmas that this initiative can have. But Kosovo's state interest is to be on the same line and have direct access to Washington, the White House and other institutions of policymaking the single planetary superpower, because the history of Kosovo's statehood cannot be predicted without the extraordinary contribution of that country”, he said.

He has added that establishing this direct access to Kosovo institutions represents an additional security guarantee, as in future cases Serbia remembers that Kosovo can directly intervene in the White House to seek help, which, according to him, would make Belgrade better calculate its involvement in such ventures.

The fact that now the Republic of Kosovo, its institutions, its representatives, is given direct access to the White House is not little. So, because eventually, it means, in future tensions, it is also reminded of Serbia that this country, it means, is likely to directly intervene in the White House, call, ask for help, which would sometimes make Serbia think, better, better calculated or worth engaging in such adventures. So the fact that Kosovo is given this extraordinary opportunity is another additional guarantee in terms of its security, both foreign and domestic. Therefore, despite cynical interpretations that might be, that this board and this initiative can be viewed with suspicion internationally, I insist that this is Kosovo's strategic interest and Kosovo has no luxury, that is, to have dilemmas where there is an invitation from the United States of America in terms of the need to preserve and consolidate partnership between the two countries”, he told Online Economy.

Political analyst Aferdita Maliqi has stressed that Kosovo and Albania are the only countries from the Western Balkans part of this board, which shows that Kosovo continues to be in the American agenda.

“I think this is one of the best things that has happened to Kosovo in recent years, because we have constantly talked about an negligent diplomacy of Kosovo and the invitation of President Trump that Kosovo be both founders and members of the Peace Board, was one of the best news we have received, namely, as Kosovo. Given that Kosovo and Albania are the only countries from the Western Balkans that are part of this board, it also has particular significance that it shows us once again that Kosovo continues to be in the American agenda and continues to be on the agenda of President Trump”, she said.

Maliqi has underlined that the involvement of the Kosovo Security Force in peacekeeping missions constitutes extremely good news, as, according to her, this brings the country closer to NATO membership and places it in a range of states that are part of the Alliance or have alliances with it. It has added that the presence of states that do not recognise Kosovo in Bord creates opportunities for lobby and security of new recognitions.

“also, because the Kosovo Security Force will be part of peacekeeping missions, this represents tremendously good news for the KSF as well as for us as Kosovo, because this means that we are very close to NATO membership when we are in a range of states which are world superpowers, which are part of NATO and have alliances with NATO. Then, add here that there are member states on the Peace Board that do not recognise the state of Kosovo. This means that, despite that, we like Kosovo can use this peace board for the lobe, to ensure new recognitions. So it's in some form that Kosovo in all ways has access to profit. President Trump has mentioned both Kosovo and Serbia several times. If you remember, he said I stopped fighting. He mentioned the war in Kosovo and yesterday in his speech he mentioned the issue of Kosovo and Serbia, and at one point said that “if you have problems between you, please give me a call”. This was a big signal for us like Kosovo and for us as a state, for our security, that whatever Serbia does or whatever Serbia plans to do to us, we have the United States of America that are always there for us. So, with the fact that he said it straight, he addressed President Osmani that if you ever have problems, then only one phone call. This shows that Kosovo is always on the support agenda of the United States of America”, she said.

United States President Donald Trump has said Allied countries have contributed $7 billion to assist Gaza, while Kosovo has pledged to help with military troops through the Peace Board.

Speaking at the first Peace Board meeting Thursday in Washington, Trump said five countries, including Kosovo and Albania, have pledged to send troops to the international security force in Gaza.

Trump also announced that the United States will contribute $10 billion. Kosovo President Vjosa Osmani also attended the inaugural meeting of the Peace Board, as Kosovo is one of the founding members.

The Peace Board, with 27 members, was founded on 22 January in Davos, Switzerland, in the presence of President Trump.

Meanwhile, during his speech to Enjen Trump also said he had helped resolve tensions between Kosovo and Serbia, praised President Osmani, and said these two countries should call him if they don't get along, while Osman replied: “to call”.

In a brief Facebook post Thursday night, Osman thanked Trump, saying that “Kosovo today felt the weight of American guarantee”./Periscopi/