The First Deputy Prime Minister and Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs and Diaspora of the Republic of Kosovo, Glauk Konjufca, is in Koror, Palau, where he is attending the 55th Leaders’ Meeting of the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF), taking place from August 30 to September 4, 2026.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Diaspora said that Kosovo’s presence at the forum aims to deepen relations with Pacific states, increase the country’s diplomatic engagement in the region and advance cooperation in areas of mutual interest.

During his visit to Palau, Konjufca is expected to meet with heads of state and government, foreign ministers, as well as other senior officials from the participating countries.

The forum’s agenda includes discussions on economic resilience, climate, ocean and fisheries management, regional security, institutional reform and strengthening unity among Pacific countries.

According to the announcement, the Republic of Kosovo considers the Blue Pacific agenda to be of global importance and expresses its readiness to contribute, in line with its capacities and the needs of the countries in the region, to climate resilience, disaster preparedness, sustainable development and the preservation of natural resources.

Bilateral meetings and activities held within the framework of the summit are expected to help consolidate existing ties, open new partnerships and expand cooperation with Pacific states.

Areas of cooperation expected to receive attention include education, strengthening public administration capacities, security, digital development and exchanges between institutions.

Cultural diplomacy, academic ties and direct contacts between citizens will also be in focus.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Diaspora emphasizes that participation in the PIF Summit demonstrates the Republic of Kosovo’s willingness to build stronger and more sustainable engagement with the Pacific region, based on mutual respect, common interests, solidarity and long-term partnerships.

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The United States military announced this morning that it struck a vessel suspected of being used for drug trafficking in the Eastern Pacific. This marks the first known operation of this kind in more than two months.

According to the U.S. Southern Command, SOUTHCOM, the strike was carried out on Sunday and resulted in the deaths of two people who were on board.

“The Joint Interagency Task Force West of the Hemisphere conducted a lethal strike against a low-profile vessel operating along designated drug trafficking routes in the Eastern Pacific,” SOUTHCOM stated on the X platform.

Based on available data, this is the first such action since June 21. The reason why operations in the Caribbean and the Eastern Pacific had been halted remains unknown.

Prior to this pause, the U.S. military had destroyed at least 67 vessels and killed at least 221 people since the launch of Operation Southern Spear in September 2025. The figures are based on official announcements and CNN’s analysis of search and rescue operations.

The Trump administration has notified Congress that the U.S. is in an “armed conflict” with drug cartels, and has classified those killed during these operations as “unlawful combatants.”

Simultaneously, the U.S. government states that it can carry out lethal strikes without prior judicial review, citing a secret Department of Justice opinion.

This approach has been opposed by members of Congress and human rights organizations. According to critics, individuals suspected of drug trafficking should be arrested and face justice, as was the stated U.S. interdiction policy before Donald Trump took office.

Law enforcement officials and experts have also raised questions about the Trump administration’s strategy and the possibility of it producing significant changes in the region’s drug trade.

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