Starovic: Albania’s insistence on the secession of part of Serbia is poisoning the entire region

Serbia’s caretaker Minister for European Integration Nemanja Starovic said that peace, reconciliation and a shared European future could be built only through respect for territorial integrity and binding international agreements, adding that “Albania’s persistent insistence on the secession of part of Serbia is poisoning the entire region.”

In a post on the social media platform X, Starovic reacted to remarks by Albanian Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Ferit Hoxha, who wrote that “Kosovo is a sovereign, democratic state” and said that sustainable regional cooperation was not possible “while reality is denied, the legitimacy of neighbors is questioned, or threatening rhetoric is used for political gain.”

Starovic pointed out that Hoxha had made no mention in his post of UN Security Council Resolution 1244 or the 2013 Brussels Agreement, stressing that international obligations must be respected.

“A lengthy post, Ferit, without even the slightest mention of the binding UN Security Council Resolution 1244 or the equally binding 2013 Brussels Agreement (pacta sunt servanda — agreements must be honored?). Peace, reconciliation and a shared European future can only be built on solid foundations, where respect for the territorial integrity of our neighbors is taken for granted,” Starovic said.

He stressed that Serbia respected the Republic of Albania, but criticized its insistence on the secession of part of Serbian territory, warning that such an approach had a negative impact on relations across the region.

“Our respect for the Republic of Albania is not in question, but your persistent insistence on the secession of part of our country is poisoning the entire region. One has to wonder why you insist on it so persistently. After all, Kosovo* is represented outside the United Nations building in New York by Serbia’s red, blue and white flag. Nothing you do or say will change that. Ever,” the Minister wrote.