Andoni: Albania's aid to Kosovo and vice versa is legal

Ben Andoni, an analyst from Tirana, commenting on the recent statement by Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama that every attack on Kosovo is an attack on Albania, says that there is a memorandum between Albania and Kosovo with clauses that make Albania's aid to Kosovo legal, and vice versa, aid from Kosovo to Albania.

He says that other NATO members, such as Montenegro and North Macedonia, also have memoranda with Kosovo and can send weapons to it.

"Albania can, in extreme cases, change legislation and send people to Kosovo. I believe that in this case, it would be an official obligation of Albania, and it wouldn't just be about volunteers. Something must be taken into consideration. According to Article 5 of the protocol, NATO intervenes only if Serbia directly attacks Albania, while in this case, everything is related to the memorandum Albania has with Kosovo. It is understood that everything is justified by the fact that we are two brotherly states. We are two states but one nation," Andoni says for Kosovo Online.

According to his assessment, there is great concern, especially after some recent statements from Serbia, citing statements by Aleksandar Vulin as an example.

"I think Rama spoke about Kosovo on behalf of the US, too, but it was understood that there is now a commitment from Tirana for what awaits Kosovo in the future. There are, in my opinion, gathering storm clouds over Kosovo. This can be seen in the spending on armaments by both Serbia and Kosovo, but especially in the fact that, according to the information I have, two-thirds of the Serbian army is near the border with Kosovo. Obviously, Rama has received information from NATO, of which we are a member. The Prime Minister chose not only the moment but also the way to convey his message, and he is trying to improve his image in Kosovo. He knows that Self-Determination is still very strong in Kosovo and is trying to exert influence there. It is clear that the future of Kosovo is very problematic," Andoni believes.

He adds that Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic has recently been talking about the persecution of Serbs in northern Kosovo by the Kosovo government and emphasizes the obstruction of the formation of the Community of Serb-majority Municipalities.

"According to this doctrine, Russia intervened in Ukraine and in Georgia. Also, Azerbaijan entered into conflict with Armenia. This has reached its peak with Serbia's demand, as a member of the United Nations, for Kosovo to be held accountable before the Security Council," Andoni says.