Rama: Kosovo's strategic interest threatened by self-exileting in open Balkans

Albania's Prime Minister Edi Rama has stated it is important that Serbia has agreed between Albania and Kosovo that there should be no limit“.

He, in the context of the visit to Belgrade, speaks of DI over “Open Balkan”, where he said that if Kosovo were present, it would be in the first place, including in this initiative, to increase its economic capacities, to strengthen its image as a space where it could be invested for foreign investors, to create guarantees for all those who invest and who would invest in Kosovo, Albanian, foreign, foreign and thus take some direct economic products, while in the process of dialogue continuing to keep their positions and to achieve their goal.

I want to say that if it's treason to think about the future, to think about peace, to think about increased co-operation and economics, to think about social well-being and even to think about the final solution to the Kosovo issue, but then I'm a traitor, not discussed and traitor will fail. First of all, let's never forget that the issue of insubordination between Serbia and Kosovo I never forget that because it's a fundamental and very important issue, which means that the process of self is a difficult process and it can never be a calm process. But, on the other hand, compared with the past today really increases tensions, but the solution to the tension joints is much faster if you notice it. Just because it is this issue in the middle, I think that the open Balkans are even more important, because they are direct contributors to creating positive energy and to facilitate the process of confrontation in the fundamental sense by enabling the parties to communicate in a more positive atmosphere. And so I brought back the example of Germany and France: Final peace along with the public forgiveness of Germany came in 1969 from Chancellor William Brandt. While Germany and France began to communicate immediately after the war, co-operation mechanisms began to be established. And these mechanisms rose in the first place where it's easier, in economic interest. They got up in the first place where it's easier and more vital to people's everyday lives, to bread, to increase the possibilities of surviving the terrible wounds of war and to give people a perspective on their families. There is no contradiction in this, but rather: If Kosovo were present, it would have been able to first invest in this initiative, increase its economic capacities, strengthen its image as a space where it can invest for foreign investors, create guarantees for all those who invest and invest in Kosovo, be it Albanians, and thus receive some direct benefits of economic nature, while in the process of dialogue continuing to maintain its own positions that are not discussed and achieve its goal. But, which doesn't exist in history, as I know, that a conflict solution has succeeded by not using all the necessary means and not including the necessity of putting the interest of citizens as people, as family members, as parents, producers, businessmen, this is safe”, he said.

According to Rama, even the issues that show the symptoms of that conflict that is at the foundation of the relationship between Serbia and Kosovo are issues that, with the open Balkans, with continued communication, with the address of these other aspects could be more positively addressed by the parties.

The more the parties get closer, the more the sides are seen in the eye, the more the parties find common interests, not in theory, but in practice, the more the parties create an absoluteity as people beyond all those who define them as ethnic identities, as religious identities or whatever else, in theory I'm speaking, the more promise is made to address conflict essential in a positive way. I don't say that this is easy, but I say the opposite is impossible, I don't say that this is a magical solution, but I say that failure and extreme options are absolutely destined to lead anywhere. The same applies to Bosnia. Bosnia would certainly benefit from the open Balkans, like all who have the potential to benefit, but it would be even more relaxed if there were no border preventing movement of people, which reminds them that they are divided, reminding them that they are in a difficult economic and social situation, etc. etc. The same for Montenegro. Now I think, that everyone will come to the open Balkans that there is no other way, is the most natural thing and all the obstacles that are created and all objections are unnatural. They are obstacles to the political nature created by the political interests of the moment, not by any strategic interest and affecting the strategic interest of these countries, in my view. And, for Kosovo, I can say with conviction that Kosovo's strategic interest is threatened by Kosovo's self-compliance in the open Balkans. We discuss everything and talk very openly and we have agreed not to agree on the Kosovo issue, which I have expressed here in Belgrade. But on the other hand, I strongly believe that we Albanians have achieved much by making Serbia accept the open Balkans for six countries. You talked about the flag. The flag issue is a easily solved matter, it's not an issue that requires great hardship, because it cannot prevent the flags from moving forward such an important process. It's all settled when there's a will to be solved. What is important is that Serbia has agreed to have no borders between Albania and Kosovo. Which has been a constant promise for all of us, and it has never been realized, because just as soon as we got close to it, the whole world stood up and said great Albania and there are some who don't want to understand it and say why would Serbia take our leave? This isn't about getting permission. Here is the point of doing one thing to realize that this thing can't be done, if Serbia sets the alarm these people are making big Albania. Serbia, meanwhile, has not only given up on this, in the sense that it is not an obstacle to this, but rather is willing to accept both Kosovo and the table to talk about the purpose of the open Balkans. Now I can't understand why this opportunity should be rejected and why people who have to suffer in the first place because of their work, because of their business, because of their open Balkan movement, I can't understand”, he said.

According to him, Albania and the region belong to the European Union and will be in the European Union.

This is a matter of time and the European Union is in a difficult phase of its own, which we need to understand and should not miss the compass from this, but we must continue with our work. It's not about remaining in the open Balkans, but the open Balkans is the thing we need, it's not about finding ourselves jobs. But we needed it and needed it for the economy, for society, for peace”, he said.