Swedish Ambassador: Two decades ago, Kosovo was ahead of Albania in integration.

Jonas Westerlund, Sweden's ambassador to Kosovo, in an interview for Info Magazine in Klan Kosova, has said that the Republic of Kosovo, two decades ago, was ahead of Albania on its way towards European integration.

He says this “fact grieves”, adding that Pristina should follow Tirana on this road.

I saw today that European Commission President Antonio Costa had a very good speech for Albanian citizens, welcoming them into the future in the European Union. They are progressing so well in negotiations with the European Union. I am saddened that Kosovo was ahead of Albania two decades ago, for some reason now Albania is ahead of Kosovo and that Albania can very well and very soon become an EU member”.

I hope that Kosovo will pursue Albania as soon as possible and that means you need unity in the country as well”, the Swedish ambassador said in this interview.

In the case of May 9th, which is Europe's Day, when Robert Schuman's Declaration is celebrated on this date in 1950, Westerlund said that “we want to have a strong and unified Europe”.

This means that we want to have Ukraine and all Western Balkan countries, part of the European Union”, Jonas Westerlund said.

Sweden's ambassador to Kosovo said the political stalemate could bring consequences on the country's path towards the EU.

He feels that in the short term, he could not influence integration with Europe, for according to him, polarization also has in many capitals and places in today's world.

But it's now 16 months and you have to pass certain laws in the country to move forward: so if you want to have access to the Growth Plan, you have to adopt a certain number of laws in Parliament. So this long-term situation will unfortunately impede Kosovo's integration with the European Union”, the Swedish ambassador said. /Periscope