US expects actions from new Kosovo Government to strengthen cooperation

2026-01-13 19:29:00, Kosova & Bota CNA

The United States Embassy in Pristina announced that it is ready to strengthen the partnership with the future Government of Kosovo and to resume the Strategic Dialogue between the two countries. However, in a response to Radio Free Europe, the Embassy emphasized that the realization of this goal will require actions from the Government of Kosovo that “advance the common agenda for regional peace and stability,” as well as “mutual economic prosperity.”

These positions were expressed in response to the question of how the United States plans to cooperate with the next Government of Kosovo, which is expected to be formed after the early parliamentary elections on December 28.

In these elections, the Vetëvendosje Movement of the incumbent Prime Minister, Albin Kurti, won over 51 percent of the vote. The party stated that it aims for the rapid formation of new institutions. The vote counting ended on January 9, but the election process has not yet been officially closed, due to legal deadlines for complaints and certification of results. Kurti and the Vetëvendosje Movement have led the Kosovo Government during the period 2021-2025.

Last year was spent mainly with the Government in office, as Kurti - despite winning the February 9, 2025 elections - failed to form a new Government, which led to the dissolution of the Assembly and early elections.

During his previous term, his government often faced criticism from international partners, particularly due to actions that were described as uncoordinated and unilateral.

From the closure of most Serbian institutions in Kosovo to the withdrawal of the Serbian dinar from use, these actions have been seen as harmful to the Serbian community and as a factor that has increased tensions in the north of the country. Criticism has gone so far as to talk of a shake-up in relations between Kosovo and the United States.

However, Kurti has repeatedly insisted that the US remains Kosovo's main partner, although he has acknowledged that there are differences in approach on some issues.

Last year, the United States took one of the harshest measures against Kosovo, suspending the Strategic Dialogue between the two countries - a mechanism created to deepen bilateral relations.

Washington has linked this decision to the actions of the acting Government of Kosovo, as the country has faced an institutional blockade, and increased tensions, but the Government of Kosovo has rejected the criticism./ Rel