The U.S. Muslim elections changed the report of forces in Congress, a development that can affect American foreign policy as well. But what specifically could change Washington’s policy towards Kosovo now that the Democrats gained control of both chambers of Senate and House of Representatives?
American experts say this new composition can bring a greater commitment of Congress to the Western Balkans, but insist expectations should not be too high.
Robin Brooks, former director for Central Europe and the Balkans at the US Council for National Security, says that even though Kosovo is not in the daily focus of most American lawmakers, it remains Washington’s key ally.
According to her, the new Congress, which starts operating in January next year, will first focus on domestic issues, such as high prices, costs of medicines and fuels. But the administration’s decisions in foreign policy could also become a subject of review.
She explains that Congress will be able to hold the administration responsible if its actions conflict with American laws, values and norms. This, Brooks says, could include the way Washington requires other countries, like Kosovo, for co-operation on issues like the expulsion of persons from the US.
Even though foreign policy may take little place in the agenda of Congress, it may affect more directly the relations between Kosovo and Serbia.
How can change in Congress affect Kosovo-Serbia reports?
Edward P. Joseph, professor at Johns Hopkins University, expects the Democrat-controlled Congress will exert more pressure to examine the administration’s policy towards Serbia.
According to Joseph, political developments in Serbia could increase this attention and push Washington to seek a greater commitment to stabilising relations with Kosovo.
In Serbia, the Student List’s victory in the 25 October election ended 14 years of ruling by Aleksandar Vucic’s Serbian Progressive Party.
To take advantage of these circumstances, Joseph calls on Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti to change access to the Serb community in the country.
Kurti has a rare opportunity to take the initiative and propose new policies that would improve relations with both Kosovo Serbs and Serbia. On the other hand, if it continues with the current approach, Kosovo will face greater pressure and criticism, Joseph tells REL-in.
Over the years, Kurti has been constantly criticised by the US and the EU for unilateral action in the north, taken without co-ordination with Western allies, which, according to them, have raised tensions and uncertainty among Kosovo Serbs.
Even Daniel Fried, former American ambassador and former State Department senior official, sees to some extent the possibility of the most creative diplomacy in the region, following the change of power in Serbia and the loss of republic control at the American Congress.
I would not expect a major initiative soon, he tells REL, adding that, however, there could be closer US co-operation with Europe to point Serbia towards European integration.
According to him, Kosovo may try not only to be seen through disagreements with Serbia and to strengthen its relations with Washington, but for that it requires initiative by Kosovo itself.
Kosovo should rely more on its founding principles — democracy, rule of law and its (miraculous) flag — representing Kosovo as a state for all those living in it, Fried says.
Brooks, meanwhile, argues that Kosovo should not link its foreign policy only to the current American administration.
The attempt to please the Trump administration was wrong from the very beginning, she says.
According to Brooks, this approach has introduced Kosovo into initiatives that have not necessarily brought lasting benefits, such as the Peace Board.
Kosovo should seek its European future and engage with both parties in the House of Representatives and in the Senate, she says.
One of the issues American lawmakers can help, according to her, is the conviction of five European Union countries — Spain, Greece, Romania, Cyprus, Slovakia — that do not recognise Kosovo’s independence to do so.
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Source Layer: Signal