Laci: Kurti is trying to break away from Rama's "tutorship"

The editor at TV News 24 in Tirana, Dritan Laci, tells Kosovo Online that politicians in Kosovo and Albania often claim that relations between Pristina and Tirana are very good and better than ever, but that citizens hold a different view.

"If you ask citizens, it is a different story. According to surveys, over 52% of citizens in Kosovo say the relations between the two countries are not where they should be, and in Albania, over 60% of people believe the relations are not good. When we talk about the relations between the two countries, we are referring to the interests of the citizens. This is particularly relevant for Kosovo because it needs Albania’s support more than Albania needs Kosovo. Understandably, citizens in Kosovo feel this lack of support more acutely. The main concerns are always the economy, culture, or even sports," Laci explained.

Currently, he adds, the majority of people in both Kosovo and Albania are not very focused on mutual relations, as Albania is in the midst of an election campaign, and elections in Kosovo are also approaching. Most attention, as he notes, is directed at internal political issues rather than the economic challenges of the people.

"I have the impression that Mr. Kurti, during his tenure as Prime Minister, has tried to break away from the 'tutorship' of Albania’s Prime Minister. If Rama has attempted to bring him under his umbrella, Kurti has sought to give his government in Kosovo its own identity and pursue its own policies. He wants to show that he is independent and that Kosovo should make its own decisions, even though Kosovo is not a full-fledged member of international organizations. In any case, Kurti has attempted to create a separation between Kosovo's and Albania’s politics, rather than fully aligning with Albania’s approach. Of course, Kurti does this not only to assert his strength but also to emphasize what Kosovo’s future should look like. Perhaps he believes that distancing Kosovo from being a satellite of Albania will benefit it more," Laci concluded.