Havenier: Kosovo's US reputation has suffered a serious blow over the past 16 months

He, in an interview, stressed that the US expects the new government, among other things, to play a role in reducing tensions between Kosovo and the region.

I believe that Kosovo's reputation in Washington has suffered a serious blow over the past 16 months. I say this as someone who has invested in US-Kosovo relations for years and for whom this relationship is very important”, he said.

Hovenier said repeated elections have left Kosovo behind.

“However, repeated elections, failure to elect a president and support in provisional governments have eroded confidence in Pristina's ability to meet some of its” obligations, he said.

Washington works better with partners who are predictable and capable of fulfilling their promises. There is also a financial cost. Kosovo risks losing millions of dollars or euros from the European Union's Growth Plan, as well as other funding sources, unless key reforms are adopted, and this legislative paralysis is a direct consequence of the institutional deadlock”.

Therefore, he said, rebuilding trust “will require much more than the word”.

The former ambassador also spoke to expectations by the new government.

“ [It] will have to show that it can elect a president and form a stable and predictable coalition, adopt a budget and take early and visible steps to reduce tensions, both within Kosovo and the region, as well as implement specific reforms in the area of rule of law”, he said of cosovoonline. According to him, the United States of America has been clear in its demands on Kosovo.

My impression is that the United States of America has been consistent and clear on this matter”, Hüvenier said.

“They want a government in Pristina that will be a reliable partner, a government that will address priority issues such as strengthening democratic institutions, fighting corruption, implementing government reforms that have been delayed for a long time and the role in reducing tensions both within Kosovo and the region. ”

Hovenier said the US has maintained a <x0-neutrity election” position in Kosovo.