US President Joe Biden has highlighted his administration’s readiness to work with Kosovo’s new government towards an agreement with Serbia based on mutual recognition, in a letter sent to Acting President Vjosa Osmani after the Sunday elections.
“We look forward to working with Kosovo’s next government to move Kosovo forward on its European path. There is a great deal of work to be done, including securing comprehensive normalization agreement with Serbia centered on mutual recognition that strengthened the rule of law, confronting the global COVID-19 pandemic, and fostering economic growth that enables a prosperous future for all of Kosovo’s citizens,” Biden wrote in the letter published by Osmani on Tuesday.
Biden sent a similar message to Serbia’s President Aleksandar Vucic earlier this month.
Albin Kurti, the expected next prime minister after his Vetevendosje party won elections in a landslide victory on Sunday, has stated that he will work to reframe the dialogue with Serbia, , and put the two countries on equal footing before they sit in talks. His government will instead focus on improving the economy and the rule of law in Kosovo.
The US President also noted his family’s special bond to Kosovo due to their late son Beau Biden’s work in helping to build the justice system in the country devastated by the war with Serbia.
“And on a personal note, Kosovo continues to hold a special place for the Biden family in honor of the time our late son Beau Biden spent working to ensure peace, justice, and the rule of law for all the people of Kosovo,” President Biden noted.
