Kosovo reaffirms its commitment to stronger partnership with US

By Talha Ozturk

BELGRADE, Serbia (AA) - Kosovo is aiming for an even stronger partnership with the US, Prime Minister Albin Kurti said Wednesday.

Kurti's remarks came after meeting with US State Department Counselor Derek Chollet in the capital Pristina.

''Kosovo aims for an even stronger partnership with the United States of America and integration into NATO,'' said Kurti, according to a government statement.

The dialogue process between Serbia and Kosovo and European plans were also discussed during the meeting.

The meeting highlighted the need for mutual recognition between Serbia and Kosovo towards the full normalization of relations.

Chollet also met with Kosovo President Vjosa Osmani and representatives of the Serbian List party, one of the main parliamentary parties in Kosovo.

Osmani emphasized that the active participation of the US in the dialogue process will be decisive for achieving a successful outcome for the benefit of the people of Kosovo.

"Kosovo is ready to make proposals that will contribute to the agreement as a constructive party with full determination, in coordination with the United States," said Osmani after the meeting.

Chollet is expected to visit Serbia later this week.

He will support a comprehensive agreement that needs to be reached on normalizing relations, according to media reports.

- Kosovo-Serbia negotiations

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said in October that Germany and France offered to expedite Serbia’s European Union membership process if it recognized Kosovo’s independence.

Kosovo declared its independence from Serbia in 2008, with most UN member states including the US, UK, France, Germany and Türkiye recognizing it as a separate autonomous country from its neighbor. But Belgrade continues to regard it as its territory.

Brussels has facilitated Serbia-Kosovo dialogue, which is designed to ease tensions and resolve issues, one of the requirements for full-fledged EU membership.