In an exclusive interview with Euronews Albania journalist Alice Taylor, Prime Minister Edi Rama shared some details from the summit that will bring the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky, to Albania for the first time.
Rama said that the initiative to organize the peace summit was common, emphasizing that the war affects not only Ukraine.
“Ukraine is not just making its own fight; it is making a fight that is defining for a lot more than Ukraine. It’s not that we are gathering here in Tirana and we will change the pace of things for the whole democratic community. On the other hand, I will not underestimate the contribution and impact. We are doing our job. I think it is a great honor for Albania to host this summit,” Rama told Euronews Albania.
Asked if he will discuss with President Zelensky about a possible recognition of Kosovo by Ukraine, Rama said that Pristina’s support for the war-torn country is one of the noblest things.
“Kosovo is being loyal to its own values. This honors Kosovo and this is not a trade for Kosovo. The way towards the recognition by Ukraine is a longer shot, but it is good that Kosovo will be present,” Rama said.
Regarding the possibility of a meeting between the leaders of Kosovo and Serbia within the framework of the summit between the European Union and the Western Balkans one day after the Ukraine summit, Rama said that, “You cannot ask to get more from Europe and more space in the European single market if you are not able to behave like a European state here and to open your borders for everyone. This is what Kosovo and Serbia should and have to do, otherwise they will not get what is theirs in the growth plan”.
As the European Union enlargement process seems to have entered a stalemate phase, Rama judges that there is no room for concern.
“I do not see enlargement being questioned because more and more it is becoming real in the eyes of European Union member states what we were saying long ago. As much as we need the EU, they need us. It’s not about enlargement, it’s about integrating and it’s about unifying,” Rama concluded.
You can watch the full interview here.
