Ivic: US decision will lead to a decline in investor confidence

Associate of the Pupin Initiative, Petar Ivic, stated that the US decision to suspend the planned strategic dialogue represents a precedent in sanctioning the “destructive actions of Albin Kurti,” which will result in decreased investor interest and also complicate Kosovo’s new trade arrangements.

Ivic emphasizes that whenever bilateral relations are disrupted, it sends a “signal to investors that something is wrong.”

“We are seeing a decline in investor confidence, a reduced ability for Kosovo to negotiate new preferential trade arrangements, which is extremely damaging to its economy, and a complication in implementing aid programs that are very important for Kosovo’s underdeveloped economy,” Ivic told Kosovo Online.

He also sees a political consequence in the further weakening of the Self-Determination Movement, which, he claims, will already be reflected in the local elections on October 12.

“This decision acts as a kind of ‘catalyst’ for the continued decline in support for Self-Determination. We saw a significant drop in support in the previous election cycle, which was exceptional. It directly caused this institutional paralysis because Self-Determination behaves as if it is the only majority actor on the political scene, even though that is no longer the reality,” Ivic explained.

He bases his argument on the fact that more than 85 percent of Kosovo’s population supports the US as the main foreign policy ally.

“Damaging relations with that actor represents a loss of significant electoral capital,” Ivic noted.

He describes the suspension of the start of the strategic dialogue as a US “precedent in sanctions” against Kosovo.

“Although the suspension of the strategic dialogue is not directly an economic measure, it primarily affects politics and, consequently, undermines bilateral relations. This represents a precedent in sanctioning the destructive actions of Kurti’s regime by the US,” Ivic said.

Ivic also believes that all reactions in Pristina serve as a reminder that “Kosovo’s decisions must align with the reality of the US.”