Kurti at the summit in Slovenia: Free movement agreement with IDs expected

Although no agreement was reached at the recent summit in Berlin, this time even after European Commission President Ursula von Leyeen's visit to the region will again be tried to sign the agreement of six regional states on free movement with ID cards and recognition of diplomas.

The Kosovo government says that at the 6 October summit they will support regional co-operation only under the Berlin Process, while opposition and civil society require equal representation of Kosovo in regional initiatives.

Kosovo Government spokesman Progress Kryeziu says of Kosova Prees, that the executive has only expressed readiness to reach two agreements, but always on the basis of equal treatment among signatory countries.

“Prime Minister Kurti will participate in the Western Balkans summit and the European Union, which will be held this time in Slovenia. We support regional co-operation within the Berlin Process. We have already expressed our readiness for reaching agreements on free movement with ID cards and recognition of diplomas, but always on the basis of equal treatment between signatory countries and its citizens, Kryeziu said.

Regional initiatives are backed by the Alliance for the Future of Kosovo, but MP Time Kadrijaj says there should be equal representation among all Western Balkan countries.

It calls on the government to emphasize in all these initiatives the injustice being done to Kosovo on the lack of visa liberalisation. We as AAK have never opposed whether there are funds that are in support of the Kosovo economy. You have seen that even now as opposition to all international agreements, we as the Alliance have pledged that we will support the Kosovo Assembly by vote. What should be required in these initiatives and every meeting in Brussels is for Kosovo to be treated as an equal country with all other Western Balkan countries. But even to insist, because EU policies are to have to fully integrate the Western Balkans, and those on the table of discussion should discuss that this is not called integration, while most Western Balkan countries are part of the EU, most are waiting to receive the status of the member state, until we are in the end as the only country not having visa liberalisation. I must repeat at each meeting, any initiative that this is an injustice being done to Kosovo”, he says.

The most sceptical of reaching any agreement on this summit is international relations professor Dritaro Arifi, who says regional co-operation is being held hostage to Kosovo-Serbia dialogue.

“I don't believe there will be any major achievements, there may be a small, creative EU idea of how to position Kosovo. But now knowing the mentality of Kurti Government I don't think they'll agree to be subject to any option. I am convinced that if you continue with this antagonism of all parties, agreements can fail... Regional co-operation in the near future will be closely linked to dialogue on what Kosovo-Serbia dialogue will produce. The sooner a comprehensive deal is reached across the region will be consolidated”, he declares.

The obstacle to reaching any regional co-operation agreement in past summits has been Serbia's opposition to Kosovo's reference as a state.

Leaders of six countries in the region are expected to attend this summit: Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, Northern Macedonia, (MV), Serbia and Albania, as well as representatives of the highest institutions in the European Union.