Cupi: Kurti praised the Berlin process for years, now he is fighting it as well

Frrok Cupi, an analyst from Tirana, says that ahead of the new summit of the Berlin Process, the stance of Kosovo's Prime Minister Albin Kurti has created significant tension, leading to suggestions from Germany that the summit could be held under the formula "six minus one," meaning Kosovo might not participate. This, he assesses, would cause great damage not only to Kosovo but also to the European project in the Balkans.

Cupi reminds that the Berlin Process initiative originated from Germany and was created for the countries of the Western Balkans to enhance cooperation, promote peace and friendship in the region, with the goal of establishing a common market.

"Kurti praised the Berlin Process for years, using it as a 'weapon' against the Open Balkan initiative. He claimed that the Open Balkan was a project of Serbia and that it didn’t help cooperation in the Balkans. Now, he is also fighting the Berlin Process, which shows that he wasn’t sincere about the Open Balkan and that he doesn’t accept cooperation. His stance relates to the process of cooperation between Kosovo and Serbia, at the negotiating table, aimed at resolving many issues that have created tensions between Serbia and Kosovo. The situation is truly very difficult. European analysts and politicians are concerned, and some are even talking about the possibility of war in the Balkans," Cupi notes.

He also recalls the statement by the US Ambassador to Belgrade, Christopher Hill, that Serbia and France not only reached an agreement on the purchase of 'Rafale' fighter jets but that it also signifies the beginning of cooperation with NATO forces and a positive step for Serbia toward Euro-Atlantic institutions. Meanwhile, Cupi notes, Kosovo has not made any progress.

"We have seen that the actions of Kurti and Vucic have paralyzed the implementation of agreements between Serbia and Kosovo. Serbia is under the watchful eye of Western countries, and we can say that these countries are 'coddling' Serbia. This has its explanation. It happens because Europe and the US want Serbia on their side, for historical and current reasons. The problem is that the leader of Kosovo behaves introspectively, nervously, and stubbornly toward the goals of the West. This undermines Western strategy. The Berlin Process is important because we know that World War I began in the Balkans, and that was not by chance. It is interesting that the idea of cooperation in the Balkans was initiated in 2014, exactly 100 years after the outbreak of that war," Cupi explains.

He adds that Kurti's stance is also damaging relations between Kosovo and Albania.

"Kurti does not agree with the peaceful stances of the Albanian government. He is against cooperation in the Balkans and opposes the position of the Albanian government, which is a very good ally of the US and the EU. It seems there will be significant debates about whether the Government of Kosovo will accept the Western and pro-American alternative or seek other paths," Cupi concludes.