European candidate with Serbia, Duke: National Interest and Interest in Kosovo

This candidacy has faced numerous objections, especially in Kosovo, but Duke has again reasoned.

Even during a speech at the FSHF General Assembly on Monday, he mentioned “national interest” until he justified the initiative.

Our big but national interest has been to raise the level of competitions, so we asked to organize the 2027 European Championship finals for boys under 21 years, which is also the greatest achievement of our current opportunities. We applied as competitors with us, within the deadline set by U EFA. Belgium, Turkey and Serbia also applied. The chances of winning alone were slim for both us and Serbia, due to still unfinished stadiums. We would very much like to have other solutions, but Kosovo, Macedonia and other neighbouring countries neither meet infrastructure criteria, but they had not applied within the established time.

For organizing this tournament, we have direct interest, and not only for image and experience”, the Duke said in the Assembly.

His full speech is published on the FSHF's official page. He has long talked to justify joint candidacy with the Federation of Serbia's Football.

But first, as I said at the beginning, we do a great service to the country. Confirming Albania's entry into the map of high organisational and secure countries is understood through the Football Federation. Second, our team automatically qualify in the finals of Euro (2027), for the U-21 category, and this represents a historic achievement. We have long thought, before we decided to co-organize “Euro 2027” for the age of U-21, with the Federation of Serbia. Which, better than football, can deliver messages of peace, civilization, tolerance, cooperation, and coexistence. Which are so necessary, in this period of tension, when wars are no longer artistic images, but a sad reality threatening mankind. And now this threat is getting so close that we all have to make our efforts to minimize”, the Duke has continued.

Although Serbia continues to work hard against Kosovo, Duka has said that a message of peace, co-operation and tolerance is delivered with joint candidacy. He has even said the candidacy serves the issue of Kosovo's recognition.

“The message we give in this case is the message of peace, co-operation and tolerance. Which are so popular and supported by the international community, especially for the troubled countries of our region. This also serves the issue of Kosovo's recognition. This is a European message, which makes us more Europeans, as we aspire to be. A message that is relevant and cannot be faded from “the hormonal” of the bullgogues dressed in the “suit, although you wouldopatriott”, which did not show a case without showing “deforestation” on insulting blogs and comments. This, is valuable and national. Others are worthless and empty rhetoric”.