The Chief of the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) William Burns spent two days in Kosovo for official meetings with the country’s top leadership in a surprise visit. His trip also included stops in Sarajevo and Belgrade as part of a larger Western Balkans tour.

Burns’ visit included discussions with Kosovo’s top leaders focusing on deepening strategic cooperation between Kosovo and the United States.

Under tight security measures, Burns made his way from the airport to downtown Pristina on Thursday afternoon to meet with President Vjosa Osmani.

On Friday morning, he stepped into Prime Minister Albin Kurti’s office in a meeting in which the Head of Kosovo Intelligence Agency (AKI), Petrit Ajeti, was also present.

After the meeting, PM Kurti described Burns as a “brilliant diplomat,” and noted that the visit was an opportunity to discuss a wide range of topics and strengthen strategic ties. 

Kurti emphasized that the meeting’s aim was to advance cooperation in democratic peace and Euro-Atlantic security in both the region and beyond.

“We seek to further strengthen and expand our robust bilateral relations with the United States,” Kurti wrote in a Facebook post following the meeting, which the government described as a historic milestone.

Kurti also expressed Kosovo’s “steadfast commitment to shared values and principles, including freedom, democracy, and unwavering aspirations toward NATO and EU membership.”

President Osmani also made her first statement after the meeting, emphasizing that the alliance with the United States remains a cornerstone of Kosovo’s security, peace, and progress.

“It was a pleasure to welcome the Chief of the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency, Ambassador William Burns, to the Republic of Kosovo,” Osmani wrote on Facebook.

His visit comes at a time when the relationship between Kosovo and the U.S. is rife with challenges. 

Recently, U.S. Ambassador Hovenier expressed concerns that certain actions by Kurti’s government, particularly regarding the opening of the Ibar Bridge, were seen as “unilateral” and “uncoordinated,” negatively affecting the Kosovo-U.S. partnership.