Kosova’s Prime Minister, Albin Kurti, addressed a joint plenary session between Kosova and Albania today, stating that “although our two countries were established at different times, they represent the political expression of the same century-long aspiration of Albanians to preserve their identity and achieve national unity”.

In his welcoming speech, Kurti highlighted that “the first legislature of the Albanian Assembly, following the pluralistic elections, recognized Kosova’s declaration of independence with the resolution of October 21, 1991. The feeling of brotherhood, historical awareness, and our responsibility to citizens who elected us to represent them motivate meetings like this”.

Kurti expressed satisfaction that “today the assemblies of two countries are reviewing and evaluating agreements signed at previous joint government meetings, covering all state sectors: defense, infrastructure, agriculture, trade, a shared energy market, tourism, borderless movement, pension contributions, joint school texts, cultural and sporting activities, and reducing administrative procedures for residence, study, employment, and entrepreneurship. These results are tangible for our citizens and encourage us to continue down this path”.

Kosova’s Prime Minister pointed to several joint achievements, noting that “Albania is among the top five countries with which Kosova has the largest trade volumes, with a value of 440 million euros in 2023. The joint Albanian Power Exchange market is operational. There’s now free movement of citizens across the border for nine months of the year, including weekends. We’ve opened 26 new border crossings for over 200,000 residents of border areas, rehabilitated road segments between Kosova and Albania, and reduced double scanning from 100% to 10%. We’ve also opened two new customs offices in Durrës and Porto-Romano, and established new commercial flight corridors that shorten travel time to and from Kosova. Kosova residents also benefit from medical services provided by hospitals in the border areas, including Kukës, Gjakova, and Prizren”.

Kurti quoted the renowned Albanian writer Primo Shllaku, who said, “Border between Kosova and Albania is like the border between two halves of the heart”. He emphasized that assemblies play a key role in adopting bilateral agreements and monitoring their implementation. “Joint parliamentary commissions set up to handle relations and agreements between our countries will assist in this”.

Looking ahead, Kurti stated, “We have work to do not only for our citizens, but also to ensure the safety and dignity of Albanians in neighboring countries, particularly in North Macedonia, Montenegro, and especially in the Presheva Valley. Albanians under Serbia are the most discriminated ethnic group in Europe, and they deserve more attention in the coordination of regional policies between Albania and Kosova. Albanians are not at fault for being indigenous. In Kosova’s next budget, we’ve allocated 4 million euros for the Presheva Valley. I hope this serves as an example for Albania as well”.

“While we are pleased that Albania is part of NATO and a candidate for the European Union, Kosova has applied for EU membership and is making progress in that direction, despite the aggressive refusal of Serbia to recognize us as a state and the non-recognition by five EU member states. NATO is in Kosova, but Kosova is not yet a member. We are making giant steps towards NATO, and we will join NATO because we are growing stronger,” said Kurti.

Kurti explained that while NATO is present in Kosova, Kosova is not yet a member. However, he noted, “Kosova is making giant strides towards NATO membership. NATO doesn’t have its own armament; it relies on the armaments of member states. In contrast to the 2018-2020 period, when Kosova invested less than four million euros in defense, between 2021 and 2023, we have invested over 239 million Euros in armament and ammunition. We can’t join NATO because we’re not strong enough yet, but we will join because we’re becoming stronger, and through NATO, we’ll both benefit and contribute”,

He pointed out that “the aggression of Russia in Ukraine, the renewed conflicts in the Middle East, and terrorist attacks against Kosova, including the recent attacks in Banjska and along the Ibër-Lepenc Canal, coming from the same source—Serbia or sometimes Serbia and Russia together—have made Kosova’s NATO membership urgent. Kosova’s security forces are meeting the Alliance’s standards, and we believe that Albania stands by us in overcoming political obstacles to Kosova’s NATO membership. Since last year, this year, and into next year, we have consistently met the NATO summit’s 2% GDP defense spending criteria established a decade ago in Wales”.

Kurti also emphasized the need for both Kosova and Albania to focus on four social categories: women’s rights, which double our nation; youth, which is energetic and multilingual like no other in the Balkans; Diaspora, the largest and most patriotic of any in the region; and the development of rural and mountainous areas.

He concluded by noting that “in Kosova, the average economic growth over the past four years has been the highest since our independence, alongside democratic advancements, anti-corruption efforts, and social progress. For the first time, we’ve extended sovereignty to northern Kosova, ensuring territorial integrity. Although sporadic terrorist acts still occur, there are no internal sources that threaten our security or stability. The terrorism funded by Serbia reflects their impotence—once in control, they now resort to terror as they lose that control. This is the end of their dominance,” Kurti stated.

Looking forward to the next year, Kurti noted, “Assemblies of Kosova and Albania will reform based on the will of the citizens, as expressed through the ballot boxes. Regardless of who represents us, I’m confident that joint meetings of our two assemblies will continue with the same spirit and public benefit as today’s meeting”.

/a.p./