PRISTINA, Kosovo — Britain’s foreign secretary visited Kosovo on Wednesday to affirm the United Kingdom’s commitment to engaging with the Western Balkan region. His visit underscored the need for Kosovo and Serbia to advance normalization discussions.
On his second day in Kosovo, David Lammy met with key officials, emphasizing the urgency of forming a new Cabinet following the parliamentary elections on February 9. The Self-Determination Movement Party, led by Prime Minister Albin Kurti, gained 48 seats in the 120-member parliament, missing an outright majority.
Lammy reassured Kosovo’s leaders that “the U.K. remains a crucial ally and partner to this remarkable nation.” He voiced support for the EU-mediated talks aiming at normalizing Kosovo-Serbia relations, as both nations are eager to join the European bloc.
In a briefing with Kosovo’s President Vjosa Osmani, Lammy highlighted, “This region is important to the United Kingdom. We seek a long-lasting and peaceful settlement.” Despite 14 years of dialogue, Kosovo-Serbia relations remain strained, with little headway made.
Kosovo’s declaration of independence from Serbia in 2008 remains unrecognized by Serbia and major allies like Russia and China.
Continuing his efforts in Serbia, Lammy engaged in talks about Kosovo-Serbia normalization with President Aleksandar Vucic, who has been dealing with significant anti-corruption demonstrations following a deadly train station canopy collapse that resulted in 16 fatalities.
At a joint press briefing with Vucic, Lammy stated Serbia’s “fundamental role” in maintaining stability in the Balkans. He also applauded a bilateral agreement aimed at curbing people smuggling in the region, addressing the growing issue of migrants arriving in the U.K. via small boats across the English Channel.
Although Serbia and the U.K. hold differing opinions on Kosovo’s independence, Vucic agreed that “dialogue is paramount, and issues must be resolved through discussions to find compromise solutions.”
The EU and the U.S. have pressed Kosovo and Serbia to implement previously reached agreements. These include Kosovo’s pledge to establish an Association of Serb-Majority Municipalities and Serbia’s anticipated acknowledgment of Kosovo’s independence.
“I encourage the forthcoming government to attend to all citizens’ needs by integrating Kosovo Serbs and actively participating in the EU-facilitated dialogue,” Lammy urged.
The conflict in Kosovo from 1998 to 1999 claimed around 11,400 lives, predominantly from the ethnic Albanian majority. A 78-day NATO-led air campaign concluded the hostilities, leading to the withdrawal of Serbian military forces.