Milenkovic: If Kurti does not change his approach, the US might look for another partner

Marko Milenkovic from the NGO "New Social Initiative" believes that the meeting between the PDK's candidate for prime minister, Bedri Hamza, and the new US Special Envoy for the Western Balkans, Alexander Kasanof, sends a clear message to the authorities in Pristina. He assesses for Kosovo Online that if there is no change in Pristina's political approach, the US government might seek other partners and might even interfere in the elections.

"The meeting Mr. Hamza had with the US Envoy for Europe and the Western Balkans, I interpret as a message to the authorities in Pristina, especially considering the previous disagreements the government had with the US administration, which are more than evident through the statements we've seen from the State Department. At this moment, there is no constructive dialogue and cooperation, and I think this meeting is primarily a message to the authorities in Pristina that if there is no change in the political approach, the US will try to find other partners," Milenkovic said.

He recalls that even in the past, former US Envoy Gabriel Escobar sent messages that if the US did not have a partner in Pristina, they would try to find a suitable one.

"And I really think that this is a clear message. Now, how well it will be understood by the authorities in Pristina and whether this approach will change, I am not sure, but I certainly interpret it as a clear message. I expect that in the upcoming period, if there are no changes from Pristina, these messages will be further reinforced and that the US might get involved in the pre-election process and possibly support a candidate," our interlocutor states.

He assesses that the Hamza-Kasanof meeting is not directed at Serbia but is a message for the internal political scene in Kosovo.

According to him, there is visible political tension between Hamza and the Self-Determination Movement, which is also reflected in recent events, such as the issue of opening the bridge on the Ibar River.

"Hamza is trying to be a partner to the international community, while Self-Determination is pushing its own narrative and, through certain political actions and unilateral moves, is trying to gain additional points in some voting circles, but also, in a way, to undermine opposing candidates," Milenkovic says.

Regarding the upcoming elections, Milenkovic points out that the elections in Kosovo are crucial for relations with the United States. He believes that if Self-Determination comes to power again, relations with the US could further deteriorate, especially after the American elections.

"It seems to me that at this moment, citizens in Kosovo do not recognize this danger, but it does exist, especially if there are changes in the US administration. I think there could be additional political changes, even to the detriment of Kosovo's position in these processes. So, if Self-Determination is in power again, I expect relations to deteriorate further. Simply put, we haven't had a constructive approach so far, and from there, I see the importance the US places on potential candidates for the upcoming elections in Kosovo," he concludes.