Kosovo has “a firm place” in the international system and remains committed to a pro-European and transatlantic path, Kosovo’s ambassador to Poland Drilon Gashi said, as the country moves to join U.S. President Donald Trump’s newly launched Board of Peace. Speaking on TVP World’s World Talks, Gashi, Chief of Mission at Kosovo’s Consulate General in Warsaw, said Kosovo’s foreign policy priorities remain unchanged despite growing global uncertainty. “It’s still one of being an able and willing contributor and willing part of the international system,” he said, stressing Kosovo’s focus on bilateral ties, multilateral engagement and shared democratic values. Kosovo accepted an invitation to join Trump’s Board of Peace shortly after the initiative was unveiled, aligning itself with other regional participants including Albania and Bulgaria. Gashi described the move as both strategic and symbolic. “We feel that we’ve been a great benefactor of international efforts for peace in our own country and in our own region,” he said, adding that Kosovo can “serve as an example for countries abroad.” While the accession has yet to be ratified by parliament, Gashi said this was due to Kosovo’s post-election transition. “This will be expected as an outcome following the constitution of the parliament from the recent December elections,” he noted. Addressing concerns about political instability, Gashi rejected the notion of prolonged deadlock. “Kosovo is much better than its reputation,” he said, arguing that recent elections produced a clear mandate for government formation. The incoming administration, he added, will face immediate tasks including approving the national budget, ratifying international agreements and electing a new president before March. On relations with Serbia, Gashi said Kosovo’s independence was “a fact” and “irreversible,” despite continued rejection from Belgrade. He added that Kosovo hoped for a more democratic Serbia rooted in the rule of law, calling it “a better neighbor” for the entire region. Kosovo will mark 18 years since declaring independence later this month, an anniversary Gashi said underscored the country’s long-term commitment to peace and Euro-Atlantic integration.
