Macro: normalisation of relations between Serbia, Kosovo is necessary

France's President Emmanuel Macron said normalisation of reports between Kosovo and Serbia is necessary.

The French leader made this statement during a joint media conference with Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama, who is located in Paris on an official visit.

Macron also voiced support for the integration of the countries of the Western Balkans region into the European Union.

I want to show France's commitment to the Western Balkans. This is about uniting Europe to make it stronger in the background of Russian aggression in Ukraine. Albania has continued the European path decisively, trust our support. We are impressed by the overall reform and capacity to advance. I want to welcome the loud voice in Albania's region on the international stage. In all regional issues, normalisation of relations between Serbia and Kosovo is necessary, Macron said, according to the Albanian prime minister.

Rama, meanwhile, praised the Albania-French reports, which according to him, are already at another level. He thanked Macron for, as he said, his vision of a common Europe with the inclusion of Western Balkan states.

During this visit, Rama and Macron will sign an intergovernmental agreement that will deepen intergovernmental co-operation, especially in the field of water management, sustainable tourism and innovation.

Rama's meeting with Macroni comes days after Serbia's president, Aleksandar Vuciq, met with the French leader in Paris.

After meeting with Vucinqi, Macro demanded that Kosovo and Serbia implement the agreement on the road to normalisation reached last year, stressing that France will make sure that every step of this agreement is met.

This agreement, of 11 provisions, also envisions a level of self-awareness for the Serb community in Kosovo and mutual recognition of state symbols, while demanding from Pristina and Belgrade to implement, as well, all previous agreements reached during dialogue.

He also demanded that all involved in the attack on the Kosovo Police in Zvecan Banjska face justice.

On 24 September last year, a group of armed Serbs attacked Kosovo police in Zvecan Banjska, killing a sergeant. Three Serb attackers were also killed during the subsequent shootout.

Kosovo has accused Serbia of standing behind the attack, the charge that has been dropped by Belgrade.

The responsibility for the attack has been taken over by Milan Radoic, former deputy chairman of the Serbian List, the main party of Serbs in Kosovo who enjoys Belgrade's support. / REL