Kosovo Must Take Three Crucial Steps During Biden’s Presidency

Kosovo, meanwhile, holds snap parliamentary elections on February 14. At the same time, the Assembly will have to elect a new president. Forming a government has proven to be difficult in the past and this year will be no exception.

Considering these challenges, Kosovo could use assistance from Biden, a longtime supporter. However, Biden will have many other issues to tackle during his presidency, some more immediate than others, and the Balkans will not be near the top of his list. Kosovo must, therefore, move proactively to secure its future. In conjunction with support from other allies, this will strengthen the country. The steps it must take are:

Increased lobbying and engagement with the US diaspora

US President Joe Biden. Photo: EPA-EFE/Ken Cedeno / POOL

Lobbying is an effective method that Kosovo can use to meet its objectives. The task can be challenging for a small country, with only limited resources and access to the US.

However, Kosovo needs informed leaders in Washington if it wants effective policy-making. It is imperative that Kosovo is well represented in Washington, and that the US Congress and other affiliated organisations are being advised on issues that concern the country.

The war in Kosovo ended 22 years ago, but many wounds remain open, and Serbia still refuses to acknowledge its responsibility for the war or show sympathy for the victims. Kosovo must, therefore, continue to remind both itself and the world that justice has not been delivered.

Any documentation from this period, such as photographs, videos, or transcripts, especially ones that expose war crimes, should be discussed, archived and displayed to a wider audience. This will not only inform people of the...