Rama: Kosovo is a hot spot - NATO should establish control over the north

Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama reiterated for the Financial Times that NATO should re-establish control over northern Kosovo, or else, he said, there would be ongoing violence between Serbs and Albanians.

As he pointed out, "Kosovo is a hot spot."

"Over the years, it has become a no man's land where all kinds of crimes are combined with growing nationalism. The border between crime and politics is blurred," Rama stated.

The British newspaper recalls that NATO has announced that it will deploy as many peacekeeping troops as needed to stabilize the situation, and Germany and the UK have already pledged "hundreds of soldiers" in addition to the existing forces, while Kosovo and Serbian leaders have also called on NATO to strengthen its presence and ease tensions.

They add that Pristina blames Serbia for being behind the attack in Banjska and for moving military units close to Kosovo, while Belgrade rejects the accusations.

Rama, the newspaper adds, has advocated for a "high-level conference" that would include the leaders of France and Germany, as well as the United States.

"This is the best way to get out of this endless madness," Rama said, noting that he had already drawn attention to the deteriorating security situation in Kosovo during the NATO summit in July.

The goal, as he stated, is "full recognition of Kosovo in the EU and the United Nations."

"It is not easy to change the course of history; it takes leadership. But if France and Germany could do it, if Saudi Arabia and Israel could do it, then we know it can happen," Rama said.

He also assessed that instability in the Western Balkans served Moscow's interests.

"The Kremlin would also like to see a bit of Donbas in Kosovo and ignite the fire of separatism in the heart of Europe," Rama said.

While he did not offer any evidence of Russia's involvement in the recent escalation of tensions, he said that Kremlin interference was "the simplest conclusion that can be drawn," according to the FT.

"They are doing it all over the world, from Africa to the Middle East, so of course, they will try it in Europe... Kosovo has also been a tool for the Russians," Rama said.