International developments, Valon Murati: Circumstances Under Way for Kosovo-Albania Union

The chairman of the Movement for the Union, Valon Murati, in a brief interview for Periscope, has expressed his thoughts about the impact of the war on Ukraine in relation to stability in the country, about the possibility of accelerating Kosovo-Serbia dialogue, as well as increasing prospects for the national union within the new context being created.

Periscope: Do you think that recent developments in Ukraine will affect relation to peace and stability in Kosovo?

Valon Murati: Developments in Ukraine have an impact on global developments and will necessarily impact developments in Kosovo and our region. Due to unresolved problems with Serbia, the situation in the north remains fragile. However, because of Serbia's position in relation to the war in Ukraine, and especially efforts to play in the neutral role in reports between the West and Russia -- a role that weakens its position in relation to the EU and the US -- I do not believe that it will open it will make efforts to destabilise the situation in the north. However, we have to be careful, because Russia can use all mechanisms to create tension situations throughout the Western Balkans, including the country's north.

Periscope: War in Ukraine can speed up or lower the likelihood of ending Kosovo-Serbia dialogue?

Valon Murati: I believe that in the short term the initial dynamics of dialogue may fall. April elections in Serbia will also affect this. But this drop in intensity of dialogue won't take long. So we shouldn't behave well and ignore this process. Dialogue is important for Kosovo and the only way to resolve the remaining problems with Serbia, including the position of Albanians in eastern Kosovo. The war in Ukraine and the major rift between the West and Russia could lead the United States and the EU to move faster to prevent crisis centres in our region. This new geopolitical context should not find us unprepared, but we would have to mobilize to take full advantage of it. Serbia's fragile position in this new geopolitical context should also be used at best.

Periscope: Since you have been promoting the idea of national unity for a long time, do you think that following the new circumstances behind this idea may be considered more and more seriously on the international plain?

Valon Murati: In times of major geopolitical shocks, which can pave the way for changes to the world order we know, risks to smaller states like Kosovo and to smaller people like Albanians are obvious. But even opportunities for profit are great. In the context that is being created, and with the clear Euro-Atlantic definition of Albanians, opportunities are creating for certain processes to accelerate. So I see real opportunities to accelerate recognition by the five EU member states, establish the process of European integration on the official road, and at the same time open the possibility of NATO membership and the Council of Europe. But I also believe that gradually international circumstances are emerging for the possibility of joining Kosovo and Albania in a state entity, always in co-operation with the US and the EU. As a well-worked project with our allies unity can be a real option. This process should also be seen in the function of empowering American and European interests in the region. On the other side of the union, as these dramatic moments in Europe's history show, is a necessary project for Albanians not only in political, economic, historical, but also in security./ P ERISCOPIA