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UNMIK Media Observer, Morning Edition, September 19, 2023

Albanian Language Media:

  • Osmani meets Chollet and Escobar: U.S. plays key role in dialogue process (media)
  • Borrell requests implementation of Agreement based on EU proposal (Koha)
  • Department of State: Lajcak, tireless efforts for Kosovo-Serbia dialogue (VoA)
  • Lajcak meets Chollet and Escobar: We have the same reading of the situation in the Balkans (Klan)
  • Osmani meets president of Kenya, and Prime Minister of Lebanon (media)
  • Gervalla thanks Blinken for the invitation at AI discussions (media)
  • Kurti welcomed the new ambassador of Austria to Kosovo (RTK)
  • Konjufca: Kosovo is ready to join the Council of Europe (RTK)
  • Kosovo and North Macedonia sign agreement for joint border points (media)
  • KDI: After alarming statements, Kurti should report to Assembly about dialogue (media)
  • AJK: Bislimi's statement against media, dangerous and unacceptable (media)
  • Serbia accommodates members of Serbian List in illegal institutions in Kosovo (RTK)

Serbian Language Media:

  • State Department: Lajcak making tireless efforts in the dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia (Kosovo Online, VoA)
  • In New York, Borrell informs European ministers on September 14, BG-PR dialogue (KoSSev)
  • Vucic: A cordial meeting with Scholz, I invited him to visit Serbia (RTS, Tanjug)
  • The UN GA an opportunity for the voice of all of us from the Western Balkans to be heard stronger and better, says Vucic (Kosovo Online)
  • Dacic in a series of meetings in NY, attending and the Summit on Sustainable Development (RTS, Tanjug)
  • Borrell: Serbia again out of compliance with EU restrictive measures due to the annexation of Crimea and Sevastopol (Beta, NMagazin, KiM radio)
  • The CI Serbian Survival: Referendum on the introduction of an international protectorate in the north (KiM radio, Kontakt plus radio)
  • Movement for the defense of KiM: Vucic deliberately missed a good opportunity to condition the holding of talks by returning to the situation from the end of February (KoSSev)
  • US investments in Kosovo in the first six months of this year reduced by 50 percent (FoNet, Danas, N1)

Albanian Language Media

 Osmani meets Chollet and Escobar: U.S. plays key role in dialogue process (media)

Kosovo president Vjosa Osmani met on Monday with the Senior Advisor at the US Department of State, Derek Chollet, as well as the U.S. Envoy for the Western Balkans, Gabriel Escobar. According to the announcement, developments in the dialogue were the main topic of the President's discussion with Chollet and Escobar. 

She has underlined the key importance of the United States of America in the successful conclusion of the dialogue and has emphasized the importance of the full implementation of the agreements.

“With Counselor DOS Chollet and DAS Escobar, we discussed developments in the dialogue. Stressed the importance of a principled approach to full and balanced implementation of agreements and that U.S. role is key to successfully conclude the process, paving the way for mutual recognition,” Osmani wrote on X platform.

Borrell requests implementation of Agreement based on EU proposal (Koha)

The EU High Representative for Foreign Policy and Security, Josep Borrell, has said that he has received strong support from the foreign ministers of the member states of the European Union regarding the Kosovo-Serbia dialogue. Borrell said that during the informal meeting in New York, the ministers expressed concern about the lack of implementation of the agreement.

"The two sides have agreed on this path of normalization earlier this year. It is an obligatory thing, and the Council is asking the parties to engage constructively and in good spirit for its implementation. What we want, and what we demand, is to start implementation based on our proposal and without delay, this includes the demand for both parties to fully implement and without delay, the past agreements agreed in the dialogue", Borrell said at the press conference.

Department of State: Miroslav Lajcak, tireless efforts for Kosovo-Serbia dialogue (VoA) 

The U.S. State Department praised on Monday what it called tireless efforts of the European Union Special Representative Miroslav Lajcak in the Kosovo-Serbia talks.

The comments came in response to a request by the Voice of America for a reaction about the statements of the Prime Minister of Kosovo Albin Kurti, who accused Mr. Lajcak on Monday of bias positions against Pristina, in last week's meeting between the parties. Prime Minister Kurti said that he had sent letters on this issue to the main western countries while accusing Mr. Lajcak, among other things, of "distorting the process".

In a response to VoA, the Department of State spokesperson did not confirm or deny whether the letter had arrived in Washington, but said that:

"We (the US) remain closely engaged with Kosovo, Serbia and EU partners in the dialogue facilitated by the European Union. We thank and recognize the tireless efforts of the EU Special Representative, Miroslav Lajcak". 

The spokesperson expressed disappointment over the lack of progress at the September 14 meeting, adding that dialogue facilitated by the EU is the only way forward for Kosovo and Serbia. 

"We expect both countries to take seriously their obligations under the agreement on the road to normalization that they reached earlier this year. Time is running out. We want to see progress on existing and previous obligations based on the dialogue (facilitated by the EU) and the Ohrid agreement, including the establishment of the Association of Municipalities with a Serb majority."

The spokesperson concluded his response by adding that Washington is fully united with the Quint partner countries in supporting the dialogue process. He said the U.S. would consult both internally and with its European partners on next steps.

Lajcak meets Chollet and Escobar: We have the same reading of the situation in the Balkans (Klan)

The EU's special envoy for the Kosovo-Serbia dialogue, Miroslav Lajcak, met with the senior adviser of the US State Department, Derek Chollet, and the US special envoy for the Western Balkans, Gabriel Escobar.

“Had dinner among good friends in New York with Counselor DOS Derek Chollet and DAS Escobar. Always useful to reconfirm that we share the same reading of the situation in the Western Balkans and are on the same line regarding the way forward,” Lajcak wrote on X Platform.

Osmani meets president of Kenya, and Prime Minister of Lebanon (media)

Kosovo President Vjosa Osmani, who is staying in New York where the 78th session of the United Nations Assembly is being held, has met with the President of Kenya, William Ruto.

She thanked President Ruto for Kenya's decision to recognize the passports of Kosovo and at the same time she raised the need to deepen diplomatic relations for the benefit of citizens and states.

"We are looking forward to taking joint steps that will bring our countries and peoples closer together", President Osmani emphasized.

They also discussed the possibility of economic cooperation between Kosovo and Kenya, as well as the promotion of commercial and economic exchanges.

In a part of the meeting, President Osmani spoke about Kosovo's commitment to sustainable development and the possibility of joint initiatives in areas such as renewable energy and climate change.

President Vjosa Osmani met in New York also with the Prime Minister of Lebanon, Najib Mikati.

According to the announcement of the Presidency, Osmani emphasized at the meeting Kosovo's commitment to the formalization of diplomatic relations, as well as informed Mikati about the latest developments in Kosovo.

"The two interlocutors discussed the possibilities of cooperation in the areas of common interest", the announcement states.

Osmani also spoke about the organization of the second edition of the Global Women, Peace and Security Forum, which will be held on October 23 of this year, and invited him and other Lebanese officials to participate. 

Gervalla thanks Blinken for the invitation at AI discussions (media)

Kosovo’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Donika Gervalla, said that Kosovo is ready to contribute in the field of technology. She participated in an organization of the General Assembly of the United Nations, where Artificial Intelligence was discussed as an accelerator of achieving the goals for sustainable development.

“Thank you, U.S. Secretary Blinken, for inviting Kosovo to an important event on the sidelines of #UNGA discussing how AI can help achieve #SDG goals. Kosova and its ICT sector are ready to contribute to that important field together with our partners around the globe,” Gervalla tweeted.

Kurti welcomed the new ambassador of Austria to Kosovo, George Schnetzer (RTK)

The Prime Minister of Kosovo, Albin Kurti, received the new ambassador of Austria in Kosovo, George Schnetzer, whom he congratulated on his new job.

Through a press release, it is said that in this meeting, Kurti emphasized the excellent relations between the two states and peoples and Austria's continued support for Kosovo, offering the ambassador close cooperation in further deepening the relations between Kosovo and Austria.  

"Ambassador Schnetzer expressed his gratitude for the hospitality he received in Kosovo. They talked about the positive trend of trade exchanges between the two countries. Kosovo's exports to Austria this year have increased by 71.7%, while those of services by 120% compared to last year. Meanwhile, direct investments from Austria in Kosovo in the last two years have increased by 11.6%", the communiqué states among other things.

Konjufca: Kosovo is ready to join the Council of Europe (RTK)

 The Speaker of the Assembly of Kosovo, Glauk Konjufca, has met the Norwegian delegation to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), composed of Ingjerd Schou, Lise Christoffersen, Lisa Marie Klungland, Andreas Sjalg Unneland, Anita Helland Kjus and Eric Christensen.

 In a press release of the Assembly of Kosovo, it is stated that in this meeting, bilateral relations between Kosovo and the Kingdom of Norway were discussed, with a focus on the continuation of the support of the Norwegian state to Kosovo in the Euro-Atlantic integration path.

 At the same time, it informed that views were also exchanged on current political developments in Kosovo and region, as well as other issues of common interest.

Speaker Konjufca informed the Norwegian delegation in the APE about the works so far, challenges and achievements of this legislature. He also informed them about the steps that Kosovo has taken for membership in the Council of Europe.

"Kosovo is ready to join the Council of Europe, as it has fulfilled all the criteria, making progress in all areas, including the rule of law, respect for human rights, as well as building the state with high democratic standards", Konjufca said.

The members of the Norwegian delegation to the APE thanked Konjufca for the reception, at the same time they offered support for the membership of Kosovo in the Council of Europe and expressed their willingness to deepen mutual cooperation.

Kosovo and North Macedonia sign agreement for joint border points (media)

Kosovo’s Minister of Internal Affairs, Xhelal Svecla, received on Monday the Ambassador of North Macedonia, Mrs. Shpresa Jusufi.

In addition to the discussions on the current situation and the commitments of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, as stated in the announcement, Svecla has accepted, signed by the Minister of the Republic of North Macedonia, Oliver Spasovski, the Agreement on the establishment of Joint Border Crossing Points between Kosovo and North Macedonia.

The Agreement, signed on Monday also by Minister Svecla, was drawn up on the neighborly relations between the two countries and aims to further strengthen regional cooperation.

"The agreement will enable the establishment of joint border crossing points with the Republic of North Macedonia, "Han i Elezit - Bllace" and "Glloboqice-Jazhince". At the joint border crossing point "Han i Elezit - Bllace", customs and border controls will be carried out in the territory of the Republic of North Macedonia (PPKK Bllace), while at the joint border crossing point "Glloboqice - Jazhince" customs controls and the border ones will be done in the territory of the Republic of Kosovo (PPKK Glloboqice)", it is said further.

Through this agreement, the citizens of both countries will no longer be subject to double stops, but checks will be done only at one crossing point.

KDI: After today's alarming statements, Kurti should report to the Assembly about the dialogue

The Democratic Institute of Kosovo has assessed that after the media conference, in which Prime Minister Albin Kurti together with Deputy Prime Minister Besnik Bislimi, spoke about the latest developments in the dialogue with Serbia, Kurti should also report to the Assembly.

In a reaction of the KDI, it is said that they welcome the information that Kurti gave about the dialogue and that informing the public about developments in the Kosovo-Serbia dialogue process is essential in guaranteeing transparency and public accountability as well as increasing citizen trust in this process. But according to them, Kurti should also answer to the MPs about this process.

"However, this does not absolve the prime minister from the responsibility to report as soon as possible to the Assembly of Kosovo, as the highest supervisory institution of foreign policy, after today's alarming statements. The Prime Minister's reporting to the Assembly, in addition to being a constitutional duty, is vital to maintain a standard of democratic and responsible governance", says the reaction of the KDI.

 According to the KDI, in this regard, the opposition political entities should also exercise their parliamentary role to hold the executive accountable, as it is said, by demanding regular reports from the prime minister about the dialogue with Serbia. 

"The presentation of the executive in media conferences after the meetings within the dialogue is positive, but it cannot be a substitute for the constitutional obligations towards the institution of the Assembly, in accordance with the democratic principles of the separation and balancing of powers", says the reaction.

AJK: Bislimi's statement against media, dangerous and unacceptable (media) 

The Association of Journalists of Kosovo has reacted after the statement of Deputy Prime Minister Besnik Bislimi to the media in Kosovo. AJK has said that it is not the first time that Bislimi attacks the local media with the accusation that they are "financed by Serbia".

"Not for the first time, the first deputy prime minister of the Government of Kosovo, who leads the negotiations with Serbia, Besnik Bislimi has attacked the Kosovar media, making the dangerous accusation that they are "financed by Serbia", reads the reaction of AJK . 

At the press conference together with Prime Minister Kurti, when he was asked about the concessions that he mentioned earlier in an interview with the Serbian newspaper "Danas", he, according to AJK, made scandalous statements.

"The word giving in was deliberately used by the Kosovar media that have funding from Serbia to give it a connotation..." Bislimi said at the media conference.

AJK strongly condemns this unacceptable language of the second man of the government, and points out that when it comes from the highest level of power, it puts the journalists of the Kosovar media in serious physical danger.

According to AJK, the Kurti government should stop attacking the Kosovar media, and allow them to do their job, including the very important component of holding the government accountable.

Serbia accommodates members of the Serbian List in illegal institutions in Kosovo (RTK)

Serbia is continuing the old practice, comforting the members of the Serbian List in the illegal institutions operating in Kosovo.

In a document provided to RTKlive, it can be seen that two senior officials of the Serbian List, Goran Rakić and Dalibor Jevtić, have been appointed by the Government of Serbia to the Council of the Illegal Parallel University of Pristina (headquartered in North Mitrovica).

The political representatives of the Serbs in Kosovo, in addition to the salaries they have received from the institutions of Kosovo, have also engaged in various positions in the parallel structures financed by Serbia.

 Serbian Language Media

State Department: Lajcak making tireless efforts in the dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia (Kosovo Online, VoA)

The US State Department praised the tireless efforts of the special representative of the European Union, Miroslav Lajcak, in the negotiations between Kosovo and Serbia, and this comment came as a response to the Voice of America's request for a reaction regarding the statements of Kosovo PM Albin Kurti, in which he accused Lajcak of bias and attitudes against Pristina, reported Kosovo Online, citing VoA. 

Kurti said he had sent letters to major Western countries on the matter, accusing Mr. Lajcak, among other things, of "distorting the process," and in a response to VoA, a State Department spokesperson neither confirmed nor denied whether the letter had reached Washington.

"We remain closely engaged with Kosovo, Serbia and EU partners in the dialogue facilitated by the European Union. We thank and recognize the tireless efforts of the EU special representative Miroslav Lajcak," said the spokesperson.

He expressed disappointment because there was no progress at the meeting on September 14, adding that the dialogue facilitated by the EU is the only way forward for Kosovo and Serbia.

"We expect both countries to take seriously their obligations under the agreement on the path to normalization that they reached earlier this year. Time is running out. We want to see progress on existing and previous commitments based on dialogue (with EU assistance) and the Ohrid Agreement, including the establishment of the Community of Municipalities with the Serbian majority," he stated.

According to him, Washington is fully united with the Quint partner countries in supporting the dialogue process.

He adds that the US will consult both internally and with its European partners on next steps.

In New York, Borrell informs European ministers on September 14, BG-PR dialogue (KoSSev)

The EU High Representative for Foreign Policy and Security, Josep Borrell, said that he would have an informal meeting with the foreign ministers of the EU member states in New York, it was reported last night. 

Among other topics, Borrell confirmed that he will inform the ministers in New York about what happened on September 14 in Brussels at a high-level meeting within the dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina.

"He will inform the ministers about the last high-level dialogue meeting between Kosovo and Serbia, explain what happened and look for future developments in the dialogue," the European Foreign Affairs Service stated last evening, reported KoSSev.

Vucic: A cordial meeting with Scholz, I invited him to visit Serbia (RTS, Tanjug)

President Aleksandar Vucic attended the reception organized by German Chancellor Olaf Scholz on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of Germany's membership in the UN and invited Scholz to visit Serbia in order to discuss in detail all issues of importance for improving cooperation between the two countries.

Vucic stated on Instagram that he had a cordial meeting with Chancellor Scholz.

"We used the opportunity to exchange opinions on the current geopolitical situation, the role and importance of the UN in today's world, but also on the contribution that we, as member countries, can make in solving existing global challenges," said Vucic. 

He added that he agreed with the German chancellor that the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly is an excellent opportunity for world leaders to meet and openly discuss the real problems we all face.

"I repeated my invitation to Chancellor Scholz to visit Serbia, so that we could discuss in detail all issues of importance for the improvement of cooperation between our two countries," said Vucic.

The UN GA an opportunity for the voice of all of us from the Western Balkans to be heard stronger and better, says Vucic (Kosovo Online)

In another Instagram post Vucic wrote that he spoke in New York with leaders in the region and beyond, and on that occasion, he said that the UN GA is an opportunity for the voice of everyone from the Western Balkans to be heard stronger and better.

Vucic stated that he spoke with Hungarian President Katalin Novak, Bulgarian President Rumen Radev, Slovenian President Natasa Pirc-Musar, Montenegrin President Jakov Milatovic, Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar and, as he added, other leaders of the region and wider.

As he stated, the occasion for their gathering is the 78th General Assembly of the UN Security Council, and so far they have exchanged opinions on the most important issues of today and possible solutions to some of the pressing problems.

"This is also an exceptional opportunity for the voice of all of us from the Western Balkans to be heard stronger and better. I expect a large number of meetings with colleagues from all continents, with whom I will discuss strengthening cooperation, renewing some old, traditional partnerships, and building new ones," stated the President of Serbia.

Dacic in a series of meetings in NY, attending and the Summit on Sustainable Development (RTS, Tanjug)

The First Deputy Prime Minister of Serbia and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ivica Dacic, began his visit to New York with a meeting with heads of diplomacy from the Western Balkans, and attended the opening of the Summit on Sustainable Development Goals.

The working breakfast, hosted by Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani, was attended by Dacic and the heads of diplomacy of Montenegro, Bosnia and Herzegovina, North Macedonia, Albania, Croatia, Slovenia, Kosovo. 

Dacic is in New York as a member of the delegation led by President Aleksandar Vucic at the session of the UN GA, announced the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Dacic met with the MFA of Cyprus, Nepal, Armenia, and Burkina Faso. United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and United Nations General Assembly President Dennis Francis opened the summit ahead of the opening of the general debate of the 78th session of the UN General Assembly.

The head of Serbian diplomacy will be in New York this week, where, on the sidelines of the 78th session of the UN General Assembly, he will participate and speak at events that will bring together numerous world leaders, with the aim of presenting Serbia's views on key issues of international importance.

Dacic will also participate in the preparatory ministerial meeting for the Summit on the Future and the Climate Summit Ambitions. On the margins of the general debate, a series of accompanying events and meetings of regional initiatives will be held, where the participation of the first vice-president of the Government of Serbia is also planned, the most important of which are the ministerial meetings of the Central European Initiative and the Cooperation Process in Southeast Europe.

''Participation in the general debate and a number of other accompanying gatherings at the UN will be an opportunity for the realization of numerous bilateral meetings between the head of Serbian diplomacy and high-ranking officials of UN member states, which will be used to improve overall bilateral relations and promote key foreign policy interests, especially in the context of the Kosovo and Metohija issue''.

Meetings with officials and representatives of the UN are planned as an opportunity to emphasize once again the importance that Serbia attaches to this world's largest international organization, especially when it comes to protecting the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Serbia, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced.

Serbian FM Ivica Dacic told Kosovo Online in New York that the behavior of Albin Kurti and his refusal to make progress in the dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina was not met with support, but with significant condemnation from a large number of UN member countries. 

Borrell: Serbia out of compliance with EU restrictive measures due to the annexation of Crimea and Sevastopol (Beta, NMagazin, KiM radio)

Serbia is again the only candidate country for EU membership in the Western Balkans that did not comply with the new foreign policy decision of the EU Council regarding restrictive measures due to the illegal annexation of Crimea and Sevastopol.

As the High Representative of the EU for Foreign Policy and Security, Josep Borrell, announced today, the EU Council adopted, on June 19, the decision (CFSP) 2023/1188, which supplements the earlier decision from 2014, and extends the restrictive measures due to the annexation of Crimea and Sevastopol until June 23, 2024.

With the new decision of the Council of the EU, all the other candidate countries for EU membership in the Western Balkans - North Macedonia, Montenegro, Albania and Bosnia and Herzegovina - have aligned themselves, ensuring their national policies to be in line with it, and the EU takes note of this obligation and welcomes it, it was stated, reported NMagazin.

The CI Serbian Survival: Referendum on the introduction of an international protectorate in the north (KiM radio, Kontakt plus radio)

The civic initiative "Serbian Survival" from North Mitrovica is asking for a referendum in which the citizens would democratically declare themselves about the introduction of an international administration, that is, an international protectorate in the north of Kosovo, reported KiM radio.

The existing missions - UN, KFOR and EULEX - would oversee the protectorate, and it would refer to four municipalities with a Serbian majority in the north of Kosovo - North Mitrovica, Zvecan, Zubin Potok and Leposavic.

"This is a supra-party issue for the preservation of peace and normal life in the north of Kosovo. The now permanent crisis in the north of Kosovo caused the rapid emigration of the population from this area. Concern about the general situation has been clearly expressed by numerous international actors, said from the CI Serbian Survival. 

They emphasize that this is not a secessionist step, but an idea that arose after, as they point out, "the Government of Kosovo did not take significant steps in the direction of de-escalation".

"The government in Pristina has been adopting unilateral decisions for a long time that negatively affect the lives of citizens in the North of Kosovo. The irresponsible policy of Mr. Albin Kurti caused Serbs from the north of Kosovo to leave the Kosovo institutions after 10 years. The uncoordinated actions of the Pristina authorities with international actors caused an escalation on the ground in May of this year. Fortunately, on that occasion, a large-scale conflict was avoided. Considering the difficult situation in which Europe finds itself due to the war in Ukraine, such a scenario would not be in anyone's interest. Moreover, after the failed negotiations during the last round of dialogue, it is clear that the Government of Kosovo has no intention of changing its approach," say from this initiative.

The mandate of the international administration would be for a period of two years, with the possibility of extension for another two years, if necessary, reported KiM radio.

Movement for the defense of KiM: Vucic deliberately missed a good opportunity to condition the holding of talks by returning to the situation from the end of February (KoSSev)

“Although European mediators declared the last meeting in Brussels at a high political level unsuccessful, it is still another step in the policy of Vucic's concession in the process that should lead to the full recognition of the so-called of Kosovo,'” assessed the Movement for the Defense of Kosovo and Metohija.

"Accepting ostensibly Borrell's proposal as a compromise, the President of Serbia even renounced the temporal priority of obtaining the only concession - local self-government in relation to the application of the Brussels-Ohrid agreements which explicitly lead to the definitive recognition of the so-called of Kosovo," believes this movement. 

Recalling the reaction of the European head of diplomacy, Josep Borrell, after the meeting on September 14, that no progress was made in the negotiations, despite the fact that the mediators in the negotiations offered a compromise proposal on the comparative resolution of two issues - the one on the local self-government of majority Serbian municipalities and the one on the application of the two Brussels - Ohrid agreements, and that the Kosovo PM is seen as the culprit for the failure, this movement indicated that it is still a matter of "giving in" of the Serbian president, reported the portal.

On the other hand, they emphasize that Kurti, ever since the "Normalization Agreement" reached on February 27, has been carrying out "systematic terror" against the Serbs in Kosovo, and that it has also "intensified" after the adoption of the Annex on the implementation of that agreement on March 19 and especially in the last two months before the last meeting in Brussels.

During that time, they further assess, the Serbian president, "showing cooperation that has long since lost all meaning", "succeeded in devaluing" the establishment of the Community of Municipalities with a Serbian majority, which is an obligation committed to by all three signatories of the First Brussels Agreement from April 2013.

"This is not about his political incompetence or intellectual immaturity. This is about a dishonorable and state-killing exchange between Vucic's submission and Western protection," they immediately offer an answer, emphasizing further:

"It is illusory to think that behind the adulation of America, behind his offensive conciliatoriness and the like, some kind of wise policy is hidden, as the promoters of his image and work try to present it."

And the scope of Vucic's policy, they point out, is felt by the Serbs in Kosovo and Metohija in the "most drastic way", the movement said among other things.

US investments in Kosovo in the first six months of this year reduced by 50 percent (FoNet, Danas, N1)

Investments from the USA in Kosovo in the first six months of this year decreased by 50 percent compared to the same period last year, according to the data of the Kosovo Ministry of Industry, Entrepreneurship and Trade, reported Serbian media, citing Index Online. 

From January to June of this year, the USA invested 25.35 million euros in Kosovo, while 48.39 million euros were invested in the same period last year.

The Ministry of Industry, however, states that the results are positive for the Kosovo economy and that foreign direct investments are constantly increasing.

In 2022, the USA held the third place in terms of investments in Kosovo, while this year it fell to the sixth place.