Maliqi: The US has no issue with Kosovo’s citizens, but with the Government and Kurti

Political analyst Shkelzen Maliqi believes that the recent statement from the US Embassy, issued in response to measures taken by Kosovo’s Prime Minister Albin Kurti regarding the closure of offices within the Serbian system, was somewhat harsher than usual. However, he points out that the Americans have consistently stated that they have no dispute with Kosovo or its people but rather that Prime Minister Kurti is the one obstructing processes or causing difficulties.

Although Kurti occasionally says during his campaign that America is Kosovo’s strategic partner, Maliqi argues that he needs to demonstrate this in practice.

"The election results are now awaited, and we will see whether the situation here changes. It is certain that opposition candidates like Bedri Hamza and Lumir Abdixhiku are far more pro-American and have a better understanding of the situation than Kurti. But if someone with an anti-American stance is elected again, what then? In that case, part of the responsibility falls on the people as well, so we must be cautious," Maliqi stated.

Regarding Kosovo’s President Vjosa Osmani, Maliqi noted that she was not the one responsible for Kosovo’s deteriorating relations with the US. However, he recalled that at the beginning of her mandate, she was aligned with Kurti, as the two supported each other like "Siamese twins" in their rise to power. However, he observes that Osmani has since taken a different political approach aimed at improving relations with the United States.