Haradinaj: Kosovo has put its relations with the U.S. into question in recent years

Former Kosovo Foreign Minister Meliza Haradinaj has stated that relations between Kosovo and the United States constitute an alliance that goes beyond conventional bilateral ties, assessing that this relationship has been called into question in recent years.

"Our relations are not merely the kind of relations neighboring countries have; they represent an alliance and are much more than bilateral relations," Haradinaj said.

She assessed that it was during the mandate of the current government that this relationship came under the greatest strain, Klan Kosova reports.

"I have said this many times, and I repeat it today: never more than in recent years, specifically during the mandate of this government, has the transformation of this vital, existential relationship we have with the United States been called into question. I was also part of other governments that had disagreements with the U.S. You will recall the period when the 100 percent tariff was imposed, when Donald Trump's administration insisted that it be lifted and that the dialogue with Serbia be intensified. At that time, there was also the risk posed by the idea of a territorial exchange. Although the tariff was not lifted, the United States continued to support Kosovo. I remember then-U.S. Secretary of Defense James Mattis telling former Prime Minister Ramush Haradinaj that he supported the transformation of the Kosovo Security Force," Haradinaj said.