Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama called on the Prime Minister of Kosovo, Albin Kurti to reflect and accept a meeting with him.
“I still hope that Albin has not forgotten tradition, that even when your enemy comes to visit, you open the door to him and it is prohibited to take him out until he’s finished speaking,” Rama said during a press conference following a meeting with North Macedonia’s Prime Minister Dimitar Kovačevski in Skopje.
Prime Minister Edi Rama traveled to North Macedonia earlier today as part of the Balkan tour for the Berlin Process summit, which will be held in Tirana on 16 October, for the first time.
The head of the Albanian Government was initially greeted at the airport by Deputy Prime Minister of North Macedonia, Artan Grubi. He then had a one-on-one meeting with Prime Minister Dimitar Kovačevski.
During this meeting, Prime Minister Rama was accompanied by Defense Minister Niko Peleshi, Albania’s chief negotiator with the EU Majlinda Dhuka, as well as members of his governmental cabinet.
In the joint press conference that followed the meeting, Prime Minister Dimitar Kovačevski called on the parties in Kosovo and Serbia to take steps to de-escalate tensions. Kovačevski stated that they should act as statesmen, speak openly, and emphasized the need to implement the agreement signed in Ohrid.
“As a direct neighbor of Kosovo and Serbia, we appeal for the de-escalation of the situation and the implementation of the obligations undertaken between the two parties, the implementation of the agreement that Serbia and Kosovo reached on 27 February in Brussels and the agreement that they reached in Ohrid on the road to the normalization of relationships. I know that it is a process that includes decisions, but politicians in every country have the obligation as citizens and courageously approach the solution of open issues, no matter how difficult it is,” stated Kovačevski.
Meanwhile, speaking on the now terminated Open Balkan initiative, the North Macedonian premier hailed it as an important achievement of the region and said it is not yet finished.
“Open Balkan as an initiative of the region cannot be wrong. The invitation is open to all. The story with the Open Balkan is not over. It had concrete results between the three signing countries, which were tangible and were welcomed by citizens and companies across North Macedonia, Albania and Serbia. This initiative showed that through collaboration, countries can increase trade, and this is complementary to comprehensive processes, such as the Berlin Process. I am happy that the agreements signed in the frameworks of the Berlin Process were shown to be implemented through the Open Balkan initiative.”
Meanwhile Prime Minister Edi Rama left aside the Open Balkan initiative and stressed the need for the region to come under the Berlin Process.
“I want to leave the Open Balkan aside. I don’t want to give anyone any chance to keep talking about parallels and alternatives. This is very clear. For me, the Open Balkan has done a great service. I would do it again a thousand times over. Whoever did not participate in the Open Balkan
made a mistake,” said Rama, referring to Kosovo’s refusal to participate in the initiative.
Rama emphasized that no harm came to the region from the Open Balkan initiative, as it gave a boost to the Berlin Process and increased trade between participating countries.
“If I could go back a thousand times, I would still go for the Open Balkan initiative. It is not an exclusive initiative; it is one of the 72 initiatives in this region. What bad has the region seen from the Open Balkan, besides the good?! Take a look at the trade figures between countries. The Open Balkan has made the Berlin Process benefit from the impetus. I don’t understand how there are still doubts when the facts speak clearly!”
Rama added that the European Union needs the Western Balkans as much as the region needs the bloc, hence adding that his goal for the Berlin Process summit scheduled for 16 October in Tirana is to mark some tangible progress.
“The gap between EU member states and our countries in terms of financial support is incomparable to our need and the necessity for Europe to be more compact. Soon we will have another informal meeting where friends of the EU will be present to discuss the plan concretely. We need this plan; we need support and we deserve it. So that we are not seen simply as those who only do the tasks but also contribute. Today, more than ever, it is clear that the EU needs us as we need them,” said Rama during the joint conference.
After his stop in Skopje, the Albanian premier will travel to Pristina to meet with the President of Kosovo, Vjosa Osmani, and the Speaker of Parliament, Glauk Konjufca, while his meeting with Prime Minister Albin Kurti remains pending.
Meanwhile, on Friday, Rama will visit Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, and Serbia.
