Prenkaj: I hope dialogue will continue and the path toward the EU and NATO will open

Career diplomat Albert Prenkaj stated that the previous government failed to achieve progress in key areas, expressing hope that dialogue will soon resume and that the path toward NATO and European integration will be opened.

“Considering the previous term of the Kurti 2 government, one cannot speak of progress in substantive segments. We witnessed poor governance in healthcare and education, misuse of the budget, rising levels of corruption, not to mention foreign policy, which in my view did not exist as such.

The previous government essentially sustained itself on the taboo topic of northern Kosovo, on technical issues that brought it into conflict with the local population, and consequently with the international presence and the Serb List, on what could be described as ‘stretching sovereignty,’ which led to EU sanctions, the suspension of €882 million in funding from the European Union’s Growth Plan (2024–2027), as well as the suspension of the strategic partnership with the United States,” Prenkaj stated in a written statement to Kosovo Online.

He noted that Kosovo’s foreign policy could be reduced to stubbornness, refusal to coordinate with friendly countries, lack of leadership and clear vision, as well as neglect of the constitutional and societal framework.

Prenkaj also expressed hope that, following the formation of institutions, the dialogue process will be advanced and the path toward NATO and the EU opened.

“With the same team, the Kurti 3 government may stage the same or a similar political performance. Let us hope that the accelerated constitution of parliament and the formation of a new government are, in a way, an overture to a new positive development that is being mentioned — namely, the expedited continuation of negotiations with official Belgrade and Brussels, with Washington returning to the table, opening the path toward NATO, and what could be called a common denominator for Kosovo and Serbia — that is, accelerated integration,” the diplomat added.