Albanian-Serbian relations do we see a similar future?

I've been with Serbian colleagues of civil society, science, university world, but politics, we've met, discussed many times here in Tirana and Belgrade, in different capitals of the region, but also across Europe for Albanian-Serbian relations. It has not been easy for either us or our Serbian friends to sit at a table and talk. Among us was the abyss of distrust and disagreement, the endless sea of hostility and conflicts of the distant and distant past.

In our mind the conviction cultivated in the fertile land of hatred remained deeply embedded that behind the face of any Serbian man or woman was concealed an enemy of Albanians. Too sad to think it was a long time ago. But, between Serbs and Albanians, even in the difficult and tragic days of the past, there have been open minds and specific voices that have been raised against hatred and hostility and have reduced the coexistence of normal human communication on the basis of mutual respect for everyone's rights and values. And I don't have to mention the first relationship with such Serbian colleagues and friends as: Sonja Licht and Sonja Biserko, Dusan Janjic and Zarko Korac, and many others over the years, along with many Albanians, paved the way for dialogue to come to such a meeting here in Tirana today.

We are now living together a historic moment that will determine the future of Albanian-Serbian relations. And not only that, but it will have a broad impact on climate and atmosphere improvement throughout the Western Balkans. It will be a cornerstone in the reconciliation of the region's final stability, in its co-existence and multiethnic co-operation.

If a parallel was removed within regional dimensions representing Albanian-Serbian conflicting history with that Francogerman by the end of World War II, there would be many common elements. More important today, however, is not the analysis of two historical processes such as their differences and commonities. The foundation and eras were the approach found for today, the two largest nations in the Western Balkans, Serbs and Albanians, certainly not schematically, have the chance to repeat the history of the successful Francogerman model in the region's dimensions and become the guarantee of success for peace and lasting security, for development and prosperity. This can happen, and I am optimistic that it will be achieved because both nations have a common objective and have firmly expressed the will to build a common future in the large family of European nations.

Of course, it will not be easy for many reasons, either because of the conflicting legacy of history, even because of current difficulties in the European and regional integration process. We Albanians experience the dynamics of Albanian relations in general and of core issues as a unique nation. That's not what I'm saying it's about, and it shouldn't be associated with this much-used “banner. Greater Albania”. Naturally, as in any other nation, including the Serbian nation, there is a typology of cultivated and customs conceived throughout history on the basis of language and territory.

But, today, part of Albanians -- primarily those who reside in Kosovo and around it -- find it more difficult and hesitate to pass Rubikon's reconciliation and co-existence with Serbs. And so, I am convinced that even a small part of Serbian opinion feeds to this day on the old discrimination andggregationist stories of “designers” woodcut or the rage conveyed by the large nationalist banner before the Serbian Parliament in Belgrade. Albania has had and has a major role in building bridges of reconciliation and co-operation on behalf of the common future between the two nations. In a sense that can also be taken as provocative, Albania has in some ways been naturally Albanian Piemont.

But being free in the development of her identity, language, tradition, culture, science, but not of her market economy and benefits, she has been more prone to <x0-raison dêtat” to be for normal relations with former Yugoslav state structures. Crisiss in these relations except the ideological war have always been caused by and for Kosovo. Albania and Serbia have made significant progress in their relations, and this was discussed at the Belgrade conference, but even here today. There is no more news about whether in Tirana or on the Albanian coast you meet Serbian citizens, officials or not, young people, businessmen, artists, etc. As I am convinced that many Albanians are walking freely in Belgrade, enjoying its beauty, visiting “Kalala Meidan” and “Skadarska Ulica”, enjoy popular Serbian songs, though not even Albanian ones there. There are many areas for developing Albanian-Serbian relations and more needs to be done on both sides, especially in the economic, trade, cultural but especially human fields.

I want to return, though it may also be very controversial in the following, but here today, the subject of Kosovo. There has once been the thought that the Kosovo issue could be resolved in Tirana, as there is still speculation that it could still be part of the agenda between Albania and Serbia, Albania certainly has been, is and will be interested in finally resolving the Kosovo issue. This is the postulas for Albanian politics. But, Albania today, in terms of Kosovo's existence as an independent state, can be a helping factor, facilitating and not determining.

It does not interfere with Kosovo's internal affairs. Albania supports dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia to reach an internationally recognised comprehensive agreement. It wishes for a negotiated solution to be found on the basis of international law and established and infallible realities. The sooner, the better, but an agreement, to be transparent, stable, without pressure and that would eventually serve for opening a new era in Serbian-Albanian relations.

The dialogue is about the history and problems that are accumulated and difficult. It becomes even more difficult by the interferences of the third actors in the region or by the conjunctures being created around (Macedonia), etc. The future must prevail over the past. This is the message of time. I have the conviction that Albanian-Serbian relations have been irreversibly introduced to this pillar.