Kosovo Gets €31 Million US Grant Despite Worsened Relations

Kosovo has received a multi-million grant from the United States. But the U.S. ambassador remarked that relations with Albin Kurti’s government remain “less positive than we had hoped”, following a row over plans to open the controversial Mitrovica bridge.

The United States has agreed to give Kosovo a €31 million ($34.5 million) grant despite a row between the countries over the opening of a controversial bridge.

Tensions have grown between Kosovo and the U.S. following the Kosovan government’s proposal to open the Mitrovica bridge to vehicle traffic. The bridge, which divides the ethnic Serb and Kosovo Albanian areas of the town, has been closed to vehicle traffic since 1999. Kosovo Serbs strongly oppose the reopening, claiming it will undermine their security.

“While some of our areas of cooperation with the current government of Kosovo remain less positive than we had hoped, the commitment of the USA to the people of Kosovo is as iron clad and as firm as it has ever been,” Jeffrey Hovenier, the U.S. ambassador to Kosovo said on Wednesday.

Early this month, the planned reopening of the bridge by Prime Minister Albin Kurti’s government for vehicle traffic sparked a new row between the government and its Western allies, who want the issue resolved as part of the EU-mediated Belgrade-Pristina dialogue in Brussels.

“We are facing certain challenges with the current government of Kosovo and these challenges have absolutely affected the quality of our partnership,” Hovenier admitted.

“However, I do have to acknowledge that this commitment to the people of Kosovo does not necessarily apply to any particular government or to any particular government policy choices or action.”

The funds from today’s agreement will be channeled into strengthening Kosovo’s economy, good governance and improving its democratic institutions.

Kosovo’s President Vjosa Osmani said the grant was “a reaffirmation of our shared vision towards a better and sustainable future for all citizens”.

“We are not only building stronger and more sustainable institutions, but also a fairer and more equal society. The United States has been and will remain a committed and steadfast partner for Kosovo people toward this goal,” she added.

The U.S., which together with France, Germany, Italy and United Kingdom form the so-called Quint group, have repeatedly opposed Kosovo government’s recent actions in the Serb-majority north including closure of the Serbia-run post and bank offices.