Petritsch: The US role is shrinking, Kosovo must adapt because this era is a great challenge for it

Former Austrian diplomat Wolfgang Petritsch says the era of the classical alliance between Europe and the US – the one built after 1945 – is over.

In the Balkans, he says, the US role is shrinking both strategically and politically. The region is increasingly seen as a European responsibility, and Balkan states, especially Kosovo, which is neither a member of the UN nor NATO, must adapt to this reality.

"We now live in an era of uncertainty – complete uncertainty – which for smaller and more fragile states like Kosovo, presents an even greater challenge than for those that are already in the European Union and that can try to act together within the EU," Petritsch tells Radio Free Europe's Expose.

He does not expect a new major conflict to erupt in the Western Balkans just because the US may reduce its level of engagement. He emphasizes that Europe has a vital interest in not allowing another war on its doorstep, beyond what is already taking place in Ukraine.

The American Bondsteel camp in Kosovo remains a key element of security, but its future weight, says Petritsch, will depend significantly on US-Russia relations.

Petritsch says Kosovo will always need professional and stable relations with Washington, but it should adjust expectations and avoid assuming that the US will "fix" regional problems as in the late 1990s.

According to him, Kosovo's security and progress will depend much more on European integration, internal political stability, and achieving a true compromise with minorities.

"Compromise is the essence of democracy. I think the idea of ​​finding a positive compromise is not yet strong in Kosovo. But now times are changing. Europe is the most important and relevant partner for state building and for economic and political development. It must now become a new and serious focus for Pristina," says Petritsch.