Tensions in the North / The American Chamber of Commerce issues a strong warning for Kosovo

The American Chamber of Commerce has asked the Government of Kosovo to "immediately take into account the calls from the USA and the EU for the expansion of the situation in the north of the country", in order to attract investors and support sustainable economic growth. "Investors look for stable and safe environments for their businesses, while ongoing tensions can undermine confidence in Kosovo's economic prospects. Tensions and clashes create an atmosphere of uncertainty and unpredictability, which deters potential investors," said the statement of the American Chamber of Commerce, published on June 8.

In the north of Kosovo, the ongoing protests have erupted since May 26, when the Kosovo Police helped the Albanian mayors of the municipalities of Zveçan, Zubin Potok and Leposaviq to enter the municipal facilities, despite the resistance of the local residents. The elections of April 23, from which these presidents emerged, were boycotted by the Serbian community.

Due to the tensions in the north, namely the disregard of the US advice regarding the necessary steps there, Kosovo has already been excluded from a large military exercise, led by the US in Europe. Despite the calls of the international community, the Prime Minister of Kosovo, Albin Kurti, has not withdrawn the police or the Albanian mayors from the northern part of the country, inhabited by a majority of Serbs. The US Special Envoy to the Western Balkans, Gabriel Escobar, the EU Envoy, Miroslav Lajçak, and the Prime Minister of Kosovo, Albin Kurti, during the meeting on June 5, 2023.

The American Chamber of Commerce is concerned about the events in the north and about the "lack of will of the Government of Kosovo to coordinate its efforts with international partners, including the USA and the EU".
In this statement, it is further stated that the USA and the EU have been supportive and have helped Kosovo in its political and economic development, thus asking the Government to listen to their demands.

The US special envoy to the Western Balkans, Gabriel Escobar, has asked Kurti to withdraw mayors and police from the north and organize new local elections. The European Union has made similar requests. Kurti admitted that there are challenges in relations with international emissaries, but did not speak about their demands. He said that he has offered a "stable and safe exit" from the crisis in the north, which, according to him, includes the rule of law in this area and the removal of "Serbian criminal groups" from there. Kurti has repeatedly insisted that he cannot make compromises with the "democratic republic".