US envoy Grenell says Kosovo leaders to focus on economy

Gazeta Express

23/01/2020 13:04

The US special envoy for Kosovo-Serbia dialogue Richard Grenell met on Thursday in separate meetings leaders Albin Kurti of Vetevendosje and Isa Mustafa of LDK. Grenell said he is not in Kosovo to interfere internal political issues.

 After meeting Kurti, Grenell said that he does not want to interfere in the political issues in Kosovo. According to Grenell, they talked about the country’s economy, that the new government should provide greater opportunities for opening businesses and hiring young people.  “Let’s move forward, create new jobs for young people and young families. This is my message for today,” he said.

Talking about compromise between Kosovo and Serbia, Grenell said that Serbia should stop lobbying against Kosovo’s independence. He also said that he asked Kurti if the Government of Kosovo would abolish the tax (on Serbian goods) “and I will ask the same question every politician here (in Kosovo)”. “It is very important to remove the 100% tax,” he said. “Also Serbia should stop lobbying against recognitions of Kosovo.”

Grenell gave the same message also after meeting the LDK chairman Isa Mustafa when stated that he is staying far from political issues. Grenell said “we from America are not interested to get involved in politics, and rather focus on economic issues.” Grenell aid Kosovo should create new jobs. “I want to emphasise that Trump’s administration is very happy after saw economy increasing. Therefore, the energy here needs to step up. More jobs needs to be generated in Kosovo, Serbia and the region,” Grenell told media after the meeting with the LDK officials.

Grenell arrived in Kosovo on Wednesday meeting when he had a dinner with Kosovo president Hashim Thaci. Grenell urged Kosovo president and party leaders to revoke tax on Serbian imports and resume the dialogue with Belgrade. /GazetaExpress/