Kosovo hails relations with US after CIA director's visit

BELGRADE, Serbia

Kosovo’s President Vjosa Osmani and Prime Minister Albin Kurti hailed the country's relations with the US following, a visit by William Burns, the head of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA).

Burns, who arrived in the capital Pristina on Thursday afternoon on a two-day visit, was received by Kosovar President Osmani.

"An alliance with the US is a guarantee of security, peace, and success," said Osmani following his meeting with Burns.

Later, Prime Minister Albin Kurti met with the CIA chief.

In a statement, Kurti's office described Burns’ visit as a “historic moment” in Kosovo-US relations.

"This visit is evidence of the strong and stable relations between the two countries and is considered a golden opportunity to deepen strategic cooperation with the aim of ensuring peace and security in the region and in a wider area," the statement said.

It added that Kosovo’s security, and intelligence institutions and the government are determined to further their cooperation with the CIA.

Burns’ visit came at a time when US Ambassador to Pristina Jeffrey Hovenier, said that his country was challenged in several aspects by the Kosovar government, led by Kurti.

The US and several other Western countries have criticized some decisions and actions taken recently by Kurti's government, which were assessed as "unilateral" and "uncoordinated.”

Before his visit to Kosovo, Burns visited Serbia on Aug. 21, according to media reports.

However, the visit was neither confirmed nor denied by Serbian and American officials.

The CIA chief also visited Bosnia and and Herzegovina, where he met with the State Presidency, the head of diplomacy and the director of the Intelligence and Security Agency.

Burns is a former US ambassador to Russia. He is one of the central figures in the administration of US President Joe Biden, as he is also a member of his presidential Cabinet.

Biden appointed him as director of the CIA in January 2021.