Kosovo’s Prime Minister Avdullah Hoti and President Hashim Thaci have welcomed President Trump envoy Richard Grenell’s announcement of US-led Kosovo-Serbia talks.
Grenell announced that the Hoti Government had agreed to stop seeking membership in international organizations, at the request of Serbia, after it had already lifted reciprocity measures in trade. In return, Serbia has stated it will pause lobbying countries to withdraw their recognition of Kosovo.
Membership in international organizations and imposing reciprocity measures are widely considered attributes of sovereign states.
Whilst it has never been clear what results Serbia’s lobbying has yielded, in recent days Foreign Minister Ivica Dacic has publicly thanked several countries that do not recognize Kosovo, possibly in preparation for today’s announcement by Grenell.
Prime Minister Hoti praised his government’s achievement, in collaboration with Grenell, to have Serbia pause their lobbying campaign. He added that the dialogue with Serbia should continue.
Coordinated activities with our int partners, especially with @USAGov and @RichardGrenell has yielded the first results, prompting Serbia to halt its derecognition campaign. Continuation of the dialogue is a key step for the normalization of relations and mutual recognition! https://t.co/peqLiQVYo2
— Avdullah Hoti (@Avdullah) June 15, 2020
President Hashim Thaci, who has been opposing the EU-led dialogue, applauded the US administration for taking over the dialogue.
U.S. leadership & support has always been decisive for the prosperous future of Kosova. Therefore, I welcome the invitation to resume the dialogue on normalization of relations under the leadership of President @realDonaldTrump’s SE @RichardGrenell.
— Hashim Thaçi (@HashimThaciRKS) June 15, 2020
Grenell’s announcement came a few days after the new Kosovo government led by Avdullah Hoti took power.
The previous Kurti Government was toppled after it refused US administration’s pressure to lift reciprocity measures with Serbia.
Hoti and Thaci’s coordinated support of talks led unilaterally by the US, without coordinating with the European Union, calls into question the dialogue led by the EU and the recent work by special envoy Miroslav Lajcak.
