U.S. Calls on Kosovo to Join Regional Integration Initiatives

Aleksandar Vucic, Zoran Zaev, Edi Rama, Skopje, July 29(BETAPHOTO/VLADA SEVERNE MAKEDONIJE/SEKRETARIJAT ZA EVROPSKE POSLOVE/DS)

The U.S. Embassy in Pristina has called on Kosovo to join regional integration initiatives "with an open mind" and stressed its support for the Western Balkans' efforts toward strengthening regional integration.

Ultimately, the Kosovo government must decide what initiatives to join and what initiatives best support its economic visions, said a statement from the embassy conveyed by Radio Free Europe late on Aug. 5. The statement added that the embassy encouraged the government to join regional economic integration efforts with an open mind and to accept solutions that would bring results to Kosovo citizens, with an improvement of relations with the neighbors.

Commenting on the Kosovo government's decision not to join the Open Balkans initiative, which involves Albania, Serbia and North Macedonia, with the explanation that the initiative lacks a vision for the region, the U.S. Embassy in Pristina believes that stronger economic and political integration are essential for sustainable peace and prosperity, which would strengthen Kosovo's existing efforts toward wrapping up the reforms needed for its future accession to the EU.

The embassy encourages Kosovo to seek ways to minimize trade barriers, increase its own economic competitiveness and build a regionally integrated and resilient economy that provides results for all citizens of Kosovo, adds the statement.

Kosovo's joining the so-called Mini-Schengen, the original initiative that has been renamed Open Balkans, is also envisaged by the agreement signed at the White House on Sept. 4, 2020, toward which the incumbent Kosovo cabinet is reserved and which it says it will reconsider. The Kosovo opposition does not support this initiative either.