Kosovo's Albanian governments gather Monday, several agreements expected to be signed

The government of Albania and Kosovo will hold the eighth joint meeting in Pristina next Monday. Among them are expected to sign several agreements in the field of justice, education, agriculture, infrastructure, tourism and public safety.

Despite disagreements with Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama, the Kosovo government says the joint meeting is the best testimony to co-operation between the countries.

“In November 2021 we have had a joint meeting in Elbasan, in June 2022 we are holding a meeting in Pristina. Last time we signed thirteen agreements, most of them have already found application. We are also aiming to sign some agreements aimed at co-operation and relief of the citizens of the two countries. This is the best evidence of the level of co-operation, despite the failure to reconcile specific questions”, said Kryeziu, Kosovo Government spokesman.

Former Albanian diplomat Besnik Mustafaj expressed sceptical about these meetings of the two governments.

If the agreements that can be made between ministers should be accompanied by a programme that whatever happens during 2022, 2023, 2024, who is responsible for this stage, where in Tirana, Pristina, Prizren, Shkodra. Because if you don't associate with these are just pieces of paper marketing to Albanians sitting there, greet each other and finish the job. There is no harm, but it does not produce (nothing), it is part of the propaganda of these meetings unless they produce concrete results”, he said.

But the Kosovo government cites concrete results achieved so far.

“So far concrete results from those agreements have facilitated procedures for the five-year residence of the two countries' citizens, the opening of the joint point of the Shishtavec-Krushevo border crossing, the easing of the procedure for recognition and mutual assessment of diplomas, bilateral legal assistance on civil and trade issues, the establishment of the common cultural calendar, 2021-2022 Albania-Kosovo, boosting co-operation in the area of cultural heritage, while agriculture's”, Kryeziu said.

Meanwhile, seven joint meetings between Kosovo and Albania have been held so far. Over 100 agreements have been signed in total between the two countries. /A2/