Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama expressed disappointment with the European Union’s response to Albania’s request for a new statement regarding the Kosovo-Serbia dialogue. He stated that Brussels is disappointed with Albania’s stance, which seeks a fresh EU declaration on the Kosovo-Serbia dialogue but has not changed its position.

“We asked for the statement published yesterday to include the recent developments in Banjska, where a police officer was killed by a criminal group. Our friends in Brussels explained that it was not possible as the statement had already been confirmed by the block of member states. We were asked to align ourselves, but our response was negative,” Rama announced during a press conference on Thursday.

Furthermore, he mentioned that Albania would be prepared to align itself with a new European Union statement, provided it includes condemnation of Serbia’s actions and inactions.

Rama noted that he decided to address the media to express deep concern, unlike any time in the past decade, about the high-risk situation in northern Kosovo.

The Prime Minister of Albania expressed his confusion regarding what the European Union aims to achieve with such a statement.

“The EU spokesperson stated yesterday that there will be no further statement until investigations into the events in Banjska are clarified. We could agree if Serbia were to distance itself from the criminal group and immediately announce the commencement of a serious and independent investigation. However, Serbia chose to honor the deceased,” Rama emphasized.

He acknowledged that he has reservations about Kosovo’s leaders and their approach to the dialogue process but reiterated that Albania stands by Kosovo in this situation.

While pointing out the shortcomings in Kosovo’s leadership during the dialogue process, Rama emphasized that none of these issues diminishes the gravity of the recent developments, which are unprecedented since the end of the 1999 war.

“We are confronted with the loss of innocent life, specifically the life of a Kosovo Police officer. He was killed by individuals dressed in military attire and heavily armed, individuals who, in the eyes of Belgrade, are deserving of half-mast flags. This is a provocation, both on the part of the criminal group and Serbia’s institutions. There is no need for an investigation; what is required is condemnation,” emphasized the Albanian Prime Minister.

Recalling his earlier proposal for an international conference on Kosovo, Rama emphasized that the dialogue format must change immediately.

“The dialogue format needs to be elevated to a conference level, and the representation of the EU and the Euro-Atlantic community should be at the highest level, with France and Germany leading at the presidential and chancellor levels. The current format, where two leaders meet, no longer has anything to offer for peace given the new situation. KFOR should assume control of northern Kosovo. I am pleased that Kosovo is now requesting this, and I welcome Vjosa Osmani’s call for U.S. participation in drafting an association draft. This is a step in the right direction,” Rama stated.

He stressed that without such changes, additional victims may be added to the existing challenges.

Rama highlighted that any draft for the Association of Serb-majority Municipalities must align with the Constitution of Kosovo. He emphasized that the authorship of the draft is not as significant as the positive impact it has on both countries.

Prime Minister Rama concluded by stating that Kosovo, now more than ever, should seek dialogue and trust it. He pointed out that the French-German plan is still under consideration, and Pristina should carefully consider its options.