Kosovo has agreed to an American request to host migrants deported from the United States, the Balkan nation’s caretaker Prime Minister Albin Kurti said Wednesday.
In a message posted on Facebook, Kurti specified that Kosovo will, “within a one-year period, accept and shelter up to 50 individuals to facilitate their safe return to their country of origin.”
The interim government of Kosovo stated that the United States remains their “unwavering ally”, with whom they have had close ties since the 1990s war for independence from Serbia.
Kosovo is also the first in the Balkans to officially respond to the US request for the acceptance and relocation of third-country nationals on its territory.
This announcement comes after days of protests in California against US President Donald Trump’s hard line immigration policy.
It also follows the signing of an agreement between Kosovo and Denmark to receive foreign prisoners convicted by Denmark, who will serve their sentences in a Kosovar prison.
“The selection of these individuals (deported migrants) will be made from a proposed list, provided that they meet the specified criteria related to the rule of law and public order,” Kurti said.
“During their stay in Kosovo, they will act in accordance with the applicable legislation and enjoy the rights determined by our laws,” he added.
Kosovars proudly describe themselves as the “most pro-American people in the world,” and US flags are ubiquitous in the capital, Pristina.
One of the city’s largest boulevards honours former president George W. Bush, while Bill Clinton has both a boulevard named after him and a statue in his honour.
“The Republic of Kosovo will always be their reliable partner,” Kurti wrote.
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