Balkans | Rama and Vucic reunite

Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama drew attention to the importance of dialogue and agreement in resolving the ongoing tension between Serbia and Kosovo.

Rama met President Aleksandar Vucic in Belgrade, the capital of Serbia, as part of his tour of the Western Balkans.

Rama explained that it is necessary to develop cooperation and peace in order for the Western Balkan countries to enter the European market.

On the tensions in northern Kosovo, Rama said the path of dialogue and agreement will lead forward.

Rama, in his assessment of the mistake of extending the process of establishing the Federation of Municipalities of Serbia, stressed the importance of peace.

On the other hand, President Vucic said that he is not happy about the possibility of new conflicts and that the Federation of Municipalities of Serbia should be created.

It is reported that the main cause of tension between Serbia and Kosovo is that Serbia considers Kosovo its own territory.

Speaking at the joint press conference, Rama said that new ways and plans can be drawn up for Western Balkan countries to enter the European market, “we can’t agree on everything, but we can do our best to develop cooperation and peace.” On the ongoing tension in northern Kosovo, Rama said: “We are reluctant to express our ideas openly so that the situation does not get worse. For me, the path of dialogue and agreement, not an escalation of tensions, will move us forward.” He said.

Rama was asked, “Should northern Kosovo turn into Donbass?” He said: “No one should underestimate the risk of tensions turning into armed conflict and we should not allow such a thing to happen. In such a situation, we can only compare with Donbass. The current situation is at a manageable level within the framework of the articles set by the international mitigation institutions.” Tension The important thing is to find a solution and overcome the problem.

Evaluating the extension of the creation process of the Serbian Federation of Municipalities as a strategic mistake, Rama said: “I see the insistence of the elected mayors to remain in their positions in the district environment as a mistake.” He said.

Saying that they not only want peace in Vucic, but are also working on it, “I think every normal person doesn’t gloat at the prospect of new conflicts. The burden of problems we face is huge.” Use phrases.

Regarding the tension in northern Kosovo, Vucic said, “The Serbian Federation of Municipalities should be created. This should have been 10 years ago, but it has not been established.” He said.

Tensions continue in northern Kosovo

On May 26, Kosovo Serbs protested against the election of Albanian mayors who won local elections on April 23 in the municipalities of Zvecan, Zubin Potok and Leposavić, where Serbs are concentrated in northern Kosovo.

There was a clash between the Kosovo police, who were sent to the area to protect the Albanian mayors, and the Kosovo Serbs.

Serbia detained 3 people, proven to be members of the Kosovo police, in the border area of ​​the two countries on the grounds that they were “planning an action in Serbia” on June 14, while Kosovo claimed that the police had been “kidnapped”. From Serbia.

Serbia released the Kosovo police on 26 June.

The Kosovo police also arrested about 10 Kosovo Serbs for various reasons, and called on Serbia to release these people as soon as possible.

It is reported that the main cause of tension between the two countries, which meet face to face from time to time, is that Serbia considers Kosovo, which unilaterally declared its independence in 2008, as its territory.

Within the scope of the Belgrade-Pristina dialogue process, initiated in 2011 with the mediation of the European Union (EU), efforts are being made to find a common way to normalize relations and eventually to get to know each other. last.

AA