Rama: Kosovo should freeze dialogue with Serbia

The Prime Minister of Albania, Edi Rama, stated that Kosovo should indefinitely freeze its dialogue with Serbia and focus on normalizing relations through bilateral dialogue with the European Union, and also that the burden of blame for the degradation of this process must fall entirely on Serbia.

“Kosovo should freeze the dialogue. The bilateral dialogue with Serbia and the normalization of relations with its northern neighbor should be directed toward dialogue with the EU. Breaking the umbilical cord of nationalist reciprocity with Serbia and tying it to European reciprocity with the EU," Rama said during a joint session of the Kosovo and Albanian assemblies.

As he stated, the EU's punitive measures against Kosovo are absurd and must be lifted.

“These measures are absurd, and along with President Osmani, we strongly insisted at the EU summit two days ago that they be lifted. However, we must stand hand in hand and convince even the most skeptical members of the EU of the absurdity of their reservations regarding recognizing Kosovo as a sovereign state. In their eyes, the burden of blame for the degradation of the European dialogue on normalization should fall entirely on Serbia. But we must never allow even an ounce of it to fall on Kosovo. We want Kosovo to be recognized by all European countries that resist accepting the irreversible and unchangeable reality of its independence, including Serbia,” Rama said.

He added that he would be happy to see Kosovo stand alongside Albania on the path to EU integration.

“With full conviction, we assert that Albanians, in general, are on the path of progress, that they are the most dynamic people in this part of Europe and the world, and that they have a historic opportunity to bring their values into the broader EU family,” Rama stated, recalling Ibrahim Rugova's aspirations for EU membership, NATO integration, and lasting friendship with the United States.

Rama stressed Albania’s commitment to supporting Kosovo in every aspect.

“But never forget that our resources cannot compare with the capabilities of our friends and strategic allies, and their irritation toward Kosovo limits us to do how much we want to do,” Rama said.

Speaking about the leaders of the former KLA in The Hague, Rama stated that the Kosovo Assembly had never taken any action to adopt a resolution on the injustices of the Special Court.

“I cannot hide my surprise that this chamber has never initiated any effort to adopt a resolution supported by all political forces. The court is independent, but the standards do not depend solely on the judges,” Rama said.

Rama said that if the Kosovo Assembly took action to pass a resolution, Albania would follow suit.

“We are not going to Brussels without the KLA leaders,” Rama emphasized.