Albanian category diplomacy chief against idea for exchange of Kosovo- Serbia

I think this would conflict with all efforts made in the Balkans in the last three decades. It would also contradict the Helsinki Final Act and other international documents legally binding. We must be very careful not to open Pandora's box for other cases in the region. The US, the EU and NATO have invested a lot in promoting multiethnicity in the Balkans, ensuring that societies remain open. I know very well that it is a great challenge to build societies and institutions that serve that goal, but we have to continue on this” road, Bushati has declared.

According to him, US involvement in the region is very important because of the geopolitical location of Southeast Europe in the middle of the Middle East on one side, and with the EU on the other.

“The US has proved successful in our region in halting bloodshed and war in Yugoslavia and in completing some of the most important security projects in the region, including NATO enlargement in Croatia, Albania, Montenegro and we hope soon in Skopje. It has also promoted the process of dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia. We know very well that the Kosovo-Serbia process is under way by the European Union, but without US support, expected results cannot be achieved”, Bushati said at the media conference after meeting with Mass.

Bushati said the desire for EU membership has prompted the region to have positive developments.

“We need a united EU to support Balkan countries and their involvement in the European Union, which has always been so, such as for Albania and Macedonia”, Bushati has further said.

Albania's Foreign Minister, Ditmir Bushati, said that in the process of dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia, there must initially be political results, Koha.net reports.

The central focus has been on technicalities in relation to drivers' patents and on the freedom of movement of citizens across border areas. Now is the time for both Kosovo and Serbia to make more painful concessions in hopes of reaching an agreement that meets both sides, which can also be legally binding. It is very clear that for Serbia, the EU has without recognition of Kosovo. Neither for Kosovo does the EU nor NATO, without addressing issues related to Serbia or its Serb minority in Kosovo”, he said.