Rama: I expect that Pristina will accept the draft of the CSM Statute

In an interview for the "Front page" of the Atlantic Council in Washington, Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama expressed his expectation that authorities in Pristina would accept the draft of the CSM Statute proposed by Brussels. He emphasized that the normalization of relations between Serbia and Kosovo was the only way to achieve lasting peace.

"We must double or triple efforts to preserve peace in the Western Balkans because the tragic events of a few months ago were a clear sign and an alarming warning of how an unresolved issue can turn into a challenge in the region", Rama said and stated that he was satisfied that the Kosovo authorities had accepted the proposed draft of the Community of Serb-majority Municipalities.

"If the authorities in Kosovo continue with what they have accepted in Brussels, then progress will be tremendous, tremendous for the stability of the entire region. Kurti and the Government of Kosovo have shown a significant willingness to move forward and start seeking solutions, rather than finding excuses, not dwelling on the past but looking to the future", Rama emphasized.

In response to the question of whether he has seen the draft of the CSM, which has been speculated about in recent weeks, the Prime Minister of Albania said that he did not know the contents of that document. However, he expressed satisfaction because he had been told that some of his suggestions were included in the draft.

The Prime Minister of Albania stated that the Western Balkans today was completely different from a decade or two ago, and the people themselves had contributed to this change.

"We still have problems to solve, and we still have 'elephants in the room', but our region today, compared to 10 or 20 years ago, is better than ever", Rama said, adding that numerous initiatives, from the Berlin Process to the Open Balkan, had contributed to this progress.

Commenting on the EU initiative "Growth Plan" for the Western Balkans, Rama said that it was another proof of why one should not give up on the vision of EU membership. He emphasized that it was up to the countries in the Western Balkans to seek new initiatives and new development plans that would bring more energy to the region, Rama concluded.