At the Paris Peace Forum on Tuesday, Prime Ministers Albin Kurti and Edi Rama delivered the same message: Serbia must accept Kosovo’s independence as a reality. Their statements come as Serbia prepares to form its first government since Aleksandar Vučić left power.
Rama: Kosovo’s independence cannot be reversed
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During a discussion titled “Europe’s Shared Future: Enlargement and the Next Generation,” held at the Musée de l’Homme, Rama described Kosovo as an independent state and said its independence was irreversible. In his words, “there is no way to turn it into a new Serbian fantasy.”
Rama said it would be better for Serbs themselves to accept Kosovo as a fact of life as soon as possible. He noted that Serbia’s relations with the European Union do not appear to have advanced and stressed the need for good neighborly relations. As he put it, countries cannot choose their neighbors, but they can decide how to build relations with them.
Kurti: Serbia must face the reality of the 21st century
At a meeting with students at the Paris School of International Affairs (PSIA), Kurti said the next leadership in Belgrade must accept that “Kosovo is an independent state, recognized by more than 120 countries.”
Kurti paired this demand with specific steps: the handover of Milan Radoičić, whom he described as the chief architect of the attack in Banjska, where Lieutenant Afrim Bunjaku was killed. He also called on Serbia to stop its campaign against Kosovo’s recognition, including its opposition to Kosovo’s membership in international organizations, backed by Russia. He also appealed to the five EU countries and four NATO countries that have yet to recognize Kosovo.
Same position, different emphasis
Although both leaders called for Kosovo’s independence to be accepted, they made their case differently. Rama presented it as being in Serbia’s own interest, while Kurti linked it to normalizing relations and accountability for the attack in Banjska.
Last week, Rama had expressed doubts that political changes in Serbia would lead to a change in Belgrade’s position on Kosovo. Recent developments appear to reinforce this cautious expectation. After the Student List’s visit to Kosovo, its candidate, Fegja Dimović, called Kosovo an integral part of Serbia. The Student List, which won the October 25 election, has said it will base its position on Kosovo on Serbia’s Constitution.
Rama’s remarks have also drawn reactions in Kosovo. Luan Gacaferi, a member of GUXO, strongly criticized the Albanian prime minister in a post and questioned the sincerity of his message on Kosovo, citing Rama’s previous positions.
At the same forum, Rama also spoke about European integration, saying Albania could conclude its accession negotiations by the end of next year if the process proceeds as forecast.
