Milo: Self-Determination has shown irresponsibility, international actors are tired of Kosovo

Former Albanian Minister of Foreign Affairs Paskal Milo stated that political parties in Kosovo—primarily Self-Determination—are behaving irresponsibly toward voters, and that even new elections may not necessarily provide a solution to the political crisis. He also noted that international representatives, as he put it, have grown tired of Kosovo.

In an interview with News 24 Albania, Milo criticized the Self-Determination Movement, emphasizing that, as the party holding a majority, it should have made a compromise.

“They are acting as irresponsible actors at a very delicate moment for Kosovo itself. It cannot be explained otherwise that the political class has reached such a level that it does not demonstrate even a minimum of political awareness for all those Albanians who vote for them. I do not wish to use categorical terms to characterize their behavior, but it is an unconscious course of action that can only be understood as instinctive and has nothing to do with conscious, civic politics,” Milo said, as reported by Ekonomia Online.

According to him, Kosovo is entering a cycle of crises, adding that holding new elections does not guarantee a resolution of the situation.

“Whoever is in power must have the ability to make appropriate compromises in order to govern, rather than acting at certain moments with a will that leads nowhere. That is why their behavior is incomprehensible and regrettable. I cannot say that only one side is to blame; in general, both sides bear responsibility. However, the one holding the majority certainly bears greater responsibility. Since Self-Determination won 51 percent of the vote and received a clear mandate to govern the country, on the issue of the president it should have reached a compromise with one of the other two political forces in order to ensure normal governance for itself and for Kosovo. Kosovo is entering a cyclical circle of crises, and there is no guarantee that even after these elections they will be able to find a sustainable solution. The situation could even become more complicated, as political parties will face voters with what alternatives? They have exhausted all arguments in previous solutions. In the absence of normal governance, their programs and interests are called into question,” he added.

Asked whether there should have been intervention by international actors, he stressed that they are tired of Kosovo.

“International actors appear to have grown weary of dealing with Kosovo, which is another piece of bad news. The fact that those consultations, which were occasionally provided to Kosovo’s political leadership, have been exhausted—and that the prime minister does not listen, does not compromise, or does not yield in this case in order to secure the election of a president—shows that they are tired. I cannot say whether they will continue to offer advice or leave Kosovo to proceed on its own path,” Milo added.

He also commented on relations between Albania and Kosovo, stating that they have long been “on the edge” and are unlikely to improve. He attributed this situation to the leaders of the two countries.

“Relations between the two countries have long been on the edge and are unlikely to improve. Even if there is some improvement, it will be shallow and superficial; relations have been damaged, and the individuals leading the governments, beyond the values that unite them, also have many shortcomings that divide them. These are major conceptual issues in politics that have separated them, as well as differences in character, governance style, or ambitions to play a role beyond the borders of each country in the name of Albanian nationalism,” Milo concluded.