Maliqi: Self-Determination's position has always been that unification with Albania must happen

The statement by Kosovo's Minister of Infrastructure, Liburn Aliu, that Kosovo is a temporary project is a propaganda trick to show dissatisfied voters that Self-Determination continues to work toward the unification of Albanians, analyst Shkelzen Maliqi says for Kosovo Online.

Maliqi does not believe that unification with Albania is the goal of the current government but rather a long-standing position of Self-Determination, which has always advocated for the unification of Kosovo and Albania.

"This is the longstanding position of Kurti and Self-Determination, that Kosovo gained independence in the wrong way and that it should not have declared independence at all. When they came to power, they accepted all symbols, and Aliu's statement is a propaganda trick to show those who are dissatisfied with this compromise line that Self-Determination is still working toward the unification of Albanians," Maliqi emphasized.

According to him, in this case, there are similarities with Republika Srpska and statements by its president, Milorad Dodik, who says he wants to unite with Serbia.

"It is a long-term strategy. Participation in the elections in Macedonia and this statement should mean that a constant project, for example, what Dodik says, is for Republika Srpska to separate and join Serbia. The pattern is the same," Maliqi added.

He pointed out that opposition parties used Aliu's statement to remind people of Self-Determination's goals, while the opposition within the ruling party had stated that they were working on "strengthening the independence of Kosovo."

"The opposition reacted more to that statement, to remind that Self-Determination has always been in those positions, and the opposition within Self-Determination stated that they were working on strengthening the independence of Kosovo," Maliqi emphasized.