Albania Prime Minister Edi Rama has once again commented on the arrest and detention of three Kosovo policemen by Serbian authorities.
Rama called on Belgrade to immediately release the three officers, otherwise bilateral relations between Albania and Serbia will take steps back.
In his Twitter update, Rama adds that Kosovo will be the biggest loser if de-escalation does not happen, warning his Kosovo counterpart Albin Kurti that he risks the creation of a KFOR Republic in Kosovo if he insists on his stance.
PM RAMA’S FULL REACTION:
“The longer these three men are kept in Serbia, even if they have crossed the border line, they have not committed any crime, the less it will be possible for our bilateral relations not to take many steps back! This will be the week of the return of ice between us if they are not released,” warned Rama.
“On the other hand, if de-escalation does not happen, the big loser will be Kosovo – because Serbia may not be able to live without being re-isolated! I am very afraid that the more Albin insists on his own against allies, the more the situation may worsen, returning KFOR at the helm,” added Rama.
“And then it’s goodbye for who knows how long to the formal control of the state over the entire territory and let’s enjoy a Republic of KFOR in the North of Kosovo! Albin, come out of the shell of self-isolation and don’t lose the north by seeing enemies and traitors everywhere! Time is now and it is flying,” concluded the Albanian Prime Minister, including a part of an earlier statement of the US Department of State towards Serbia to immediately and unconditionally release the three Kosovo Police detained on June 14.
The US Department of State said that their arrest and ongoing detention on spurious charges has exacerbated an already tense situation, calling on both Serbia and Kosovo to follow the three-point plan outlined by the EU and return to the EU-facilitated dialogue without delay.
Sa më shumë mbahen në Serbi këta tre burra që edhe sikur ta kenë shkelur vijën e kufirit s’kanë kryer asnjë krim, aq më pak do jetë e mundur që marrëdhëniet tona bilaterale të mos bëjnë shumë hapa mbrapa! Kjo do jetë java e rikthimit të akullit mes nesh nëse ata nuk lirohen! pic.twitter.com/45jylz0zGK
— Edi Rama (@ediramaal) June 19, 2023
Tensions in northern Kosovo have been escalating since May 26 when new Albanian mayors from the municipalities in the north entered municipal buildings with the assistance of the Kosovo Police.
Tensions reached a climax on May 29 when Serbian protesters clashed with KFOR members in Zvečan. Dozens of people from both sides were injured in the clashes.
The situation worsened on June 14 after the arrest of three Kosovo police officers. Serbia claimed that they were arrested “deep” within its territory, but Kosovo stated that they were patrolling in Kosovo’s territory near the border line with Serbia in Leposavić.
