The former Minister of Europe and Foreign Affairs of Albania, Ditmir Bushati, has stated  that the process of extending sovereignty in Kosovo must continue with persistence, but interaction with the international community is also needed. The Albanian diplomat accused Serbia of disrupting stability in the region, while emphasizing that Kosovo should be rewarded for its democratic progress with membership in the Council of Europe, but also with the granting of the status of a candidate country for membership in the European Union.

“The process of extending sovereignty throughout the territory is an important process, which must continue with persistence and interaction with the international factor,” he said.

According to him, the punitive measures imposed on Kosovo are unjust and as such should be removed from the European Union as soon as possible.

He added that the dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia is inevitable, but the main premises of this dialogue should be underlined, which, as Bushati emphasizes, are the normalization of relations between the two states.

The former Albanian diplomat stressed that after the terrorist attack in Banjska last year, the dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia has also become a matter of regional security.

“Dialogue is inevitable because every disagreement, every conflict in one way or another would have to be sketched out in a dialogue process and then formalized in a final agreement. But the events of September last year in Kosovo have shifted the essence of the unfinished conflict from a political issue to a regional security issue, especially in the conditions of a geopolitical storm that Europe is experiencing, as a result of the invasion of Ukraine by Russia. Second, it is important for the EU to return to the terms of reference of this dialogue. It should not be forgotten for a single moment that the terms of reference for the objectives of this dialogue have to do with the normalization of the two neighbors, that is, with the normalization of relations between the two states. Thirdly, it is very important not only to denounce, but to surround in the most democratic way today’s Serbia, which in my view is the only disruption of regional stability. Kosovo should be rewarded for the democratic progress it has demonstrated over the years, both for membership in the Council of Europe, as well as receiving the status of a candidate country”, stressed Bushati.

Speaking about Albania’s role in the dialogue, the MP of the Socialist Party, which leads the government in Albania, said that there is room for improvement.

“There is always room to improve relations and capitalize on them between Albania and Kosovo. It is a natural strategic partnership, there is always room to improve the interaction between the institutions of Albania and Kosovo, but the important thing is that the guiding compass is strategically clear”, he declared.

Regarding the opening of the NATO air base in Kuçova, Bushati said that Albania has a contribution to regional stability and security.

“Albania, as a member of NATO in the Western Balkans, has a contribution to regional stability and security. There is a clarity regarding alignment in foreign policy, one hundred percent, since the moment of the first fall of communism. In this context, the opening of the tactical base in Kuçova is a joyful news, not only for Albania, not only for the infrastructure of NATO, but also for the entire region, in the function of cementing the alliances which aim to be part of this alliance, including Kosovo in the future”, stressed Bushati.

He made these comments to journalists after participating on Monday in the “Parliamentary Diplomacy for Regional Security and Euro-Atlantic Integration” conference.