U.S. Urges Kosovo to Make Progress on Serb-Majority Municipalities

U.S. Deputy Secretary of State James O'Brien met with Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti on Wednesday night and reaffirmed U.S. support for Kosovo's Euro-Atlantic integration. However, O'Brien insisted that Kosovo urgently make progress on the establishment of the Association of Serb-majority Municipalities, which is part of the agreement on the normalization of relations between Kosovo and Serbia.

During the meeting in Pristina, O'Brien emphasized that for Kosovo to progress towards its Euro-Atlantic goals, it must implement the commitments arising from the EU-mediated dialogue for the normalization of relations with Serbia, which is supported by Washington. Specifically, O'Brien asked Kosovo to make urgent progress regarding the establishment of the Association of Serb-majority Municipalities, a key part of the dialogue process.

Why this matters: The establishment of the Association of Serb-majority Municipalities has been a long-standing commitment that Kosovo has yet to fulfill, despite repeated calls from the EU and U.S. The issue remains a critical sticking point in the normalization of relations between Kosovo and Serbia, with broader implications for regional stability and Kosovo's Euro-Atlantic aspirations.

Kosovo has been reluctant to take steps on this issue, fearing the Association could turn into an entity similar to Republika Srpska in Bosnia. Western diplomats have submitted a draft statute for the Association, which would be subject to review by Kosovo's Constitutional Court before establishment.

Prime Minister Kurti expressed Kosovo's gratitude to the United States for its role and support in the Euro-Atlantic integration process. U.S. Ambassador to Kosovo Jeffrey Hovenier also participated in the meeting and emphasized that both Kosovo and Serbia must fulfill all obligations that are part of the EU-mediated dialogue.

O'Brien conveyed the U.S. message through a post on the 'X' platform, likely referring to Twitter, underlining the importance of Kosovo making progress on this issue. O'Brien also emphasized the importance of this progress during a visit to Belgrade.

French President Emmanuel Macron has also stressed the need for "rapid and irreversible progress" by Kosovo on the Association. However, Prime Minister Kurti expressed his belief that France will continue to support Kosovo's membership in the Council of Europe without additional preconditions.

The meeting between O'Brien and Kurti took place as part of O'Brien's role as the Assistant Secretary of the Bureau for European and Eurasian Affairs at the U.S. Department of State. The U.S. has consistently supported Kosovo's Euro-Atlantic integration while <a href="https://euronews.al/en/obrien-

Key Takeaways

• U.S. reaffirmed support for Kosovo's Euro-Atlantic integration.
• U.S. insisted Kosovo make progress on Serb-majority municipalities.
• Establishment of Serb-majority municipalities is a key dialogue commitment.
• Kosovo reluctant, fearing it could become like Republika Srpska in Bosnia.
• U.S. and France stressed need for Kosovo to make rapid progress on this issue.