The visit of William Burns, the Director of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) of the United States (U.S.), to Kosovo marks a historic moment in the relationship between Kosovo and the U.S., according to a statement from the office of Kosovo’s Prime Minister, Albin Kurti, following their meeting.
“This visit highlights the commitment of the Government, security, and intelligence institutions of Kosovo, led by the Kosovo Intelligence Agency (KIA), to enhance cooperation with the CIA,” the statement read, following the meeting held on Friday, August 23rd.
The Prime Minister’s office expressed “great appreciation” for Burns’s visit to the Kosovo Government, describing it as proof of the “strong and stable bond between the two countries” and an “excellent opportunity to deepen strategic cooperation in the fields of peace and security in the region and beyond.”
During the meeting, Kurti thanked the CIA Director for the support, affirming that “U.S. values related to democracy, the rule of law, and an unwavering Euro-Atlantic orientation will remain the central pillars of democratic governance in Kosovo.”
Kurti also briefed Burns on Kosovo’s economic development and the challenges related to internal security.
The day before, Burns met with Kosovo’s President, Vjosa Osmani, and Petrit Ajeti, the Director of KIA.
The CIA Director’s visit comes at a time when the U.S. Ambassador to Kosovo, Jeffrey Hovenier, noted that the U.S. has been challenged in several areas by the Kurti-led government.
The U.S. and other international community members have criticized some recent decisions and actions by Kurti’s government, labeling them as “unilateral” and “uncoordinated.”
Before his visit to Kosovo, Burns had visited Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH).
In Serbia, he was present on August 21st, although this visit was neither confirmed nor denied by Serbian and U.S. officials.
The day before, he was in BiH, where he met with the state Presidency, the Foreign Minister, and the Director of the Intelligence and Security Agency.
Burns, a former U.S. ambassador to Russia, is one of the key figures in President Joe Biden’s administration and a member of his presidential cabinet.
President Biden nominated him as CIA Director in January 2021, RSE writes.
E.Dz.
