After Unprecedented Strains With Longtime Friend U.S., Kosovo Has A New Government
Albin Kurti, ousted as prime minister in March, clashed with the U.S. envoy who is tasked with encouraging peace talks between Kosovo and Serbia. Kurti refused to drop tariffs on Serbian goods.
Albin Kurti became prime minister of Kosovo in February by promising jobs and justice. A former activist who was often arrested at anti-corruption protests and once set off tear gas in parliament, he is described by friends and foes alike as a cross between Che Guevara and Bernie Sanders.
But there's one view he shares with all politicians in Kosovo: He loves the United States.
"I always viewed the United States of America as the greatest ally," Kurti, 45, tells NPR, "an indispensable partner for us in war and in peace, for justice and development and democracy."
This year, though, unprecedented tensions arose between Washington and Kosovo, which is widely acknowledged as tThe strains emerged over U.S. efforts to find a quick solution to
