Rafaela Prifti
On Thursday afternoon Kosova President Vjosa Osmani remarks highlighted the “fundamental role of the US leadership” concerning peace, stability and global security,” as the Balkan country pledges to double its defense budget to move closer to potential EU and NATO memberships.
Joined by Daniel Kochis, Senior Fellow at the Center on Europe and Eurasia at the Hudson Institute, President Osmani discussed the mutual gains of the US Kosova alliance and the dangers of a weakened US as well as the threats to peace coming from bad actors such as Russia and China. Speaking at the Washington based think tank, she made quick historic references to world wars and the 1999 armed conflict in Kosova to provide relevant background in understanding the current security landscape.
“The US is not only Kosova’s ally, it is the reason we are free and alive today,” she said, referring to the American-led NATO intervention to end the ethnic cleansing campaign by Serbia over twenty five years ago. “Threats and instability spill over in the Balkans but so does peace. The US leadership is a strategic necessity for Europe, the US and every single nation that believes in freedom,” stated Kosova President. With regard to the Trump’s administration’s interest in Western Balkans and the signed Washington agreements, she said that they have been mostly implemented. To counter China’s partnering with Belgrade in surveillance and even defense production, President Osmani teased the idea of processing earth’s precious minerals in Kosova and US instead of China.
The hour long discussion moved mostly on two tracks, namely, mutual advantages of shoring up US presence in the region and Kosova being the best suited Balkan country to deliver “a high return at zero cost.” Kosova is living proof of US leadership and the best counterargument to Russia’s divisive tactics and disinformation on US achievements. “Every democracy defended is not only a win for us, but also for the US and global prosperity,” because, she continued, while “democracy is strong, it is constantly tested.” In terms of facing challenges with a positive attitude, President Osmani cited the late Kosova President Rugova (1944-2006) who was told “NO” so many times during visits when the topic of independence in Washington had almost no traction. Washington has formally recognized Kosova independence on February 18, 2008. The country has recently received recognition from Kenya and Sudan. For Kosova, NATO membership would mean advancing from the recognition campaign to being fully committed to peace and prosperity.
Hopeful for the Trump’s administration support of a Kosova in NATO, Madame President argued that since Russia picks non-NATO territories, “an additional partner” would amount to a preventive measure that favors peace.
During the Q&A part of the discussion, the question of Kosova’s political stalemate was asked. President Osmani said that further clarification may be needed on the latest ruling of Kosova’s Constitutional Court to surpass the parliamentary deadlock but then went on to downplay the situation by giving the example of Belgium experiencing a six month period without a fully functioning government following the federal elections.
In closing, President Osmani said that Peace is a daily effort along with stability and prosperity and no nation can do it alone.”
At the end of May, President Osmani was invited by the US Congress to attend a series of events hosted during the spring session of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly held in Dayton, USA. This year marks the 30th anniversary of the Dayton Peace Accord for Bosnia Herzegovina. It is also the first NATO Assembly session in the US in two decades.