Balkan Mini-Sengeni Takes Over Kosovo Accords

The agreements signed between Kosovo and Albania, which include areas, so far have not found overall implementation, and according to political analysts in Tirana and economic analysts in Pristina, this shows relations between the two states are at a very low point.

Opinionist from Tirana Armand Shkullaku says that reports between the two states -- Kosovo and Albania -- have been strained following meetings being held under the regional initiative “Mini-Sengenni” Balkan, but according to him, this initiative is not the real reason why it is hindering the implementation of signed agreements.

Shkullaku says the agreements signed between the two states are at zero implementation point, so they cannot be damaged, because they have not been implemented at all.

The “Agreements between the two states would be damaged if they were to function best. Several agreements between the two countries have been signed, but so far are only on paper. Something that is developing is not something that's still in the project. Relations between Kosovo and Albania are at a very low point”, Shkullaku says.

Kosovo and Albania have signed dozens of agreements aimed at co-operation and facilitating relations between the two states in all areas, ranging from the economy to education.

Economic Affairs expert Naim Gashi says Albania and Kosovo should analyse the agreements signed so far, in particular those from the area of the economy.

“Good neighbourly policy from official Tirana should start from Pristina and continue further, not to be seen going to new agreements like “Myni-Sengenini”, which in fact present privileges for the larger Balkan economy, such as Serbia having GDP of 48 billion euros, which is significantly greater than all Western Balkan countries together”, says Gashi.

“Behind the idea of “Menni-Sengenen” hides a customs union which, for the third time, is initiated by Serbia because it is an object being made to the Stabilisation and Association Agreement that Balkan countries have signed with the European Union and aims to create new spaces in the Balkans for Russian influence and its main ally, Serbia”, says Gashi.

So far within the framework of the regional initiative known as the Balkan Mini-Sengeni have been held three meetings of Western Balkan leaders, while Kosovo has not been represented, as such a regional initiative has been rejected by political representatives in Pristina, including those in government and opposition.

Serbian President Aleksandar Vuciq, Macedonian Prime Minister Zoran Zaev and Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama during the meeting in Ohrid, North Macedonia.

Kosovo President Hashim Thaci has called this regional initiative meaningless as long as Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina do not recognise Kosovo's independence. With a refusing attitude towards this initiative, incumbent Prime Minister Ramush Haradinaj had also indicated.

But Albania's Prime Minister Edi Rama at the recent meeting of Western Balkan leaders held in Tirana has called Kosovo's non-participation meaningless, meanwhile, in a media proposal following the closure of meetings with Balkan leaders, Rama has called Kosovo's prime minister “adversar”.

Haridinaj is a liar and continues to lie. I don't know if he's doing it out of ignorance, but he's a liar”, Rama said.

Vetevendosje Movement leader Albin Kurti, who is the candidate for prime minister, through the social Twitter network has reacted to Prime Minister Rama.

“The principles of inclusion and reciprocity should guide regional initiatives. The road from Belgrade to Tirana goes through Pristina. We are and always will be a people and no one can stand between us. We need more cooperation, no confrontation”, Kurti wrote.

Such statements by Prime Minister Rama, says Armand Shkullaku have touched the opinion in Kosovo on the fact, as he says, that Kosovo expects Albania before negotiating with Serbia, Northern Macedonia or Montenegro should have achieved a unification of attitudes with the political factor in Kosovo.

The recently established climate, especially after statements Prime Minister Edi Rama made to the side of some of Kosovo's political leaders, is true that there is a tension between Tirana and Pristina, but I don't believe that this tense climate recently will affect relations between the two states for the fact that Edi Rama's efforts in Tirana are the efforts of a political leader seeking protagonism at a time when his government and the country (Albania) is in a political crisis, says Shkullaku.

The language Prime Minister Edi Rama used, eventually adds Shkullaku, is rather his attempt to factor into being a leader.

The United States of America has recently made their position clear regarding the initiative for the “Men-Schengenı Balkan, through a communiqué saying that “we believe that in order for this initiative to succeed, the entire region must be included, along with Kosovo Government”.

Kosovo and Albania now aim to remove the border between the two countries in order to ease people's transition procedures and goods, but this has not yet been experienced.

Meanwhile, trade exchanges between the two states were considered to be being bordered following the deployment of the road tax from 5 euros to 22.5 euros on the “National Road, by the Government of Albania. / REL