Misini: Osmani collects points in Washington instead of solving domestic problems

Economics professor from Pristina, Shkumbin Misini, believes that Kosovo President Vjosa Osmani is trying to score political points through relations with the United States instead of focusing on internal issues, including the months-long institutional deadlock in Pristina.

“At a time when there are internal problems, they go and take pictures or offer proposals like President Osmani. But does that really strengthen international relations, particularly the relationship between Washington and Pristina? And is it leading to any geostrategic investment — that’s the question. The intention may be there, but before that happens, it would be better for Vjosa Osmani to focus on internal problems, because Kosovo has been without a government for seven months and they haven’t even managed to resolve the issue of electing a parliamentary speaker,” Misini said.

According to him, such moves do not absolve Osmani of political responsibility.

“I think it would be better for Vjosa Osmani to address internal issues. Such proposals do not diminish her responsibility,” he added.

Misini also noted that we are witnessing a different America today.

“Yes, we have a different president, because the investments he plans aim to create a form of national security, which he perceives in the benefits they bring. For example, if I want to insure you, what do I get from that? That’s a good proposition,” the professor explained.

He added that the Western Balkans is not a focus of the current U.S. administration.

“The Western Balkans is not on the American agenda. The focus right now is Ukraine, and the second issue is the war in the Middle East,” he said.

As an illustration, he cited the recent visit of Donald Trump’s son to the region:

“We also recently saw a case where Donald Trump’s son visited countries in the Western Balkans, trying to justify internal issues and present his vision of potential investments,” Misini noted.

He concluded by saying that photo ops in pursuit of U.S. support do not justify the actions of Balkan leaders:

“Photo ops for the sake of potential geostrategic investments — whether they happen or not — do not justify Balkan leaders,” he emphasized.