Kosovo, 20 May 2024(TDI): The US Under Secretary of State for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs, Elizabeth Allen, paved a trip to Kosovo where she engaged in discussions with Kosovo President Vjosa Osmani-Sadriu and Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti.
The aim was to deliberate on a strategy that advances regional cooperation and firmly establishes a path towards European and Euro-Atlantic integration.
In a meeting between the Kosovo President and the US Under Secretary of State, both leaders realized the need to deepen relations between the two states to achieve collective goals and emphasized the importance of regional economic integration to bring peace and prosperity to the region.
The US Under Secretary of State highlighted minority, human rights, and media freedom issues which are collectively known as transatlantic values. She also shed light on the benefit of regional economic integration.
Both leaders signed a Memorandum of Understanding(MoU) to strengthen the cooperation between the government of the United States and the Republic of Kosovo to counter the misinformation propaganda.
The Head of Kosovo said that the visit of Under Secretary of State Elizabeth Allen’s visit symbolized not only a steadfast partnership between the two states but also proved the United States’ commitment to combat common challenges.
He emphasized that the dissemination of misinformation presents an unparalleled threat to his country’s national security, stability, and sovereignty. The presence of Russian satellites in Serbia seriously undermines the security and stability of the region.
Russia is actively seeking to exert its influence by targeting the successful engagement of the people of Kosovo with democratic nations, especially the US.
Also read: US and Kosovo discuss bilateral relations
Meanwhile, the American Undersecretary of State, Elizabeth Allen, has added that security and stability in Southern and Central Europe, especially in the Western Balkans, are the main priorities that she has underlined in every meeting she has had in the region.
Elizabeth Allen also met with Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti and discussed U.S-Kosovo bilateral relations including the commitment to strengthening Kosovo’s security, prosperity, and multiethnic democracy
Framework to Counter Misinformation Manipulation
In the Memorandum of Understanding, the two states pledge to counter the malignant activities of a Russia-controlled satellite in Serbia including the spreading of propaganda against the government to build distrust of people in the ruling government and rigging in monarchical elections integrity.
Through MOU, both States broadened their information-sharing capacity and built robust programming to curb fake propaganda by securing a free open, and fact-based global information ecosystem.
