The Chairman of the Democratic Party of Albania, Lulzim Basha, submitted an amendment to the budget in the Parliament today, through which military aid of around 5 billion lek per year is requested for Kosovo, starting from the year 2024.

In the explanatory statement of the amendment, Basha expresses that the aid is necessary for defense and security needs, taking into account the tense security situation in the Republic of Kosovo in light of the facts of an unprovoked deterioration of the security situation by Serbia.

“This financial aid aims to strengthen and expand the military capacities of the Republic of Kosovo for the defense of sovereignty, integrity, and territorial integrity at a time when the Republic of Serbia is rearming with declared objectives for military intervention in Kosovo at a moment when the political situation would allow such action,” Basha states.

According to him, the terrorist attack on September 24 in Kosovo was not an isolated incident. Basha continues with an analysis of the situation in the region, stating that while high-ranking representatives of allied countries have made it clear that the objectives after the Banjska terrorist attack constitute a serious threat to peace and stability, the highest authorities of Kosovo have raised concerns that 3 out of 4 infantry brigades of the Serbian armed forces are positioned at 48 operational bases along the border with the Republic of Kosovo, awaiting a favorable situation for military intervention.

“All this shows that action must be taken without losing time to strengthen the defense capacities of the Republic of Kosovo. Some allied countries have taken active steps to strengthen and expand Kosovo’s defense capacities. But Albani should also align itself in support of Kosovo and its allies,” Basha expresses.

His proposed amendment seeks a reduction in non-essential capital investments and the approval of an additional provision for “military financial aid to the Republic of Kosovo” in the amount of 5 billion lek.

Basha proposed this amendment on January 19 during a press conference, arguing that, “We expect that at least for this essential interest of our national security, the national security of Kosovo, and standing alongside modest means compared to the investments our allies are making, I expect that this will not fall into the pitiful level of political debate where the protagonists of the daily theater have currently placed it”.

Democratic Party spokesperson Mirela Karabina told Euronews Albania that Kosovo is an obligation to the DP, as it is interested not only in the well being of the citizens in Albania, but also in the situation in Kosovo.