|
David Lammy was on the second day of a visit to Kosovo where he
met with its senior officials, calling on Pristina to form a new
Cabinet quickly following the country's Feb. 9 parliamentary
election.
Prime Minister Albin Kurti’s Self-Determination Movement Party,
or Vetevendosje!, won 48 seats in the 120-seat parliament,
falling short of a majority.
Lammy assured Kosovar officials that “the U.K. continues to play
its essential role as a key friend and partner of this great
nation.”
The secretary expressed support for the EU-facilitated
Kosovo-Serbia normalization talks.
“This this is a region that matters to Britain,” he said at a
briefing after meeting with President Vjosa Osmani. “We want a
lasting, peaceful normalization."
Kosovo-Serbia ties remain tense and the 14-year-long
normalization talks facilitated by the EU have failed to make
progress.
The EU and the United States have urged Kosovo and Serbia both
sides to implement agreements reached two years ago that include
a commitment by Kosovo to establish an Association of
Serb-Majority Municipalities and Serbia’s obligation to provide
de facto recognition of Kosovo.
“I hope that the next government will address all citizens
needs, including by making progress to integrate Kosovo Serbs
and engage vigorously in the EU-led dialogue,” said Lammy.
Around 11,400 people died in the 1998-1999 war in Kosovo, mostly
from Kosovo's ethnic Albanian majority. A 78-day NATO air
campaign against ended the fighting and pushed Serbian forces
out.
Kosovo declared independence from Serbia in 2008, a move
Belgrade and its key allies Russia and China refuse to
recognize.
All contents © copyright 2025 Associated Press. All rights
reserved |
|
