Rama: Good news about the release of Kosovo police officers, it reopens the path of de-escalation and dialogue

Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama has stated that the release of the three Kosovo police officers is good news as it reopens the path of de-escalation and dialogue.

Rama mentioned on Twitter that the decision to release the officers was delayed, but their release puts an end to the "arbitrary deprivation of freedom for three individuals who have not committed any crime."

He emphasized that he is glad that the force of reason prevailed over the reason of force.

"I hope that with the force of reason, the long-awaited de-escalation can start immediately and we can further resolve the knots of the final normalization process between Kosovo and Serbia," Rama highlighted.

He informed that he has landed in Brussels, where he will soon meet with the President of the European Council, Charles Michel.

"I will convey our significant concerns about the critical situation in the region and my conviction regarding the necessity of a time-bound conference, where, within the walls of a hospitable structure under the care of the Euro-Atlantic community, the leaders of Kosovo and Serbia should finalize all points of the normalization agreement," Rama added.

As he stated, both sides have lately had "their eyes focused on domestic politics and polls inflamed by nationalist rhetoric," while the crucial dialogue for the future of the entire region and its relations with the democratic world has been sidelined.

Meanwhile, he adds, the situation in northern Kosovo is deteriorating by the hour and minute, increasing the possibility of a "Balkan Donbas" in the heart of Europe.

"Even just contemplating this possibility is catastrophic, therefore, it must be eliminated at all costs. Strategic shortsightedness in approaching the dialogue, the delay in implementing the excellent French-German plan, the shift of focus towards displays of force, and consequently, the deterioration of the situation in the North can cost this entire region, undoubtedly Serbia, but especially Kosovo more than anyone else," Rama emphasized.

He pointed out that Albania would do its utmost to prevent that from happening.

"It would be a total misery for the fragile peace we have built over the years, within the framework of the Berlin Process and through various initiatives, to crumble like a sandcastle due to the resurgence of the Balkan madness wave, pushing us all off the European integration path into the old powder keg in the heart of Europe," Rama concluded.