Italian Foreign Minister Luigi Di Maio declared support for Kosovo’s independence and EU integration. During his speech in the Assembly of Kosovo, Di Maio also spoke about the dialogue process between Kosovo and Serbia, emphasizing that Kosovo should not be afraid of this dialogue, because Kosovo’s independence, integrity and sovereignty are not in question.

Addressing the members of the Assembly and the Prime Minister of Kosovo, Albin Kurti, Di Maio said that “It is essential to look at the path of reconciliation with ease and openness. The dialogue facilitated by the European Union between Kosovo and Serbia is an opportunity of historical importance for both sides to use it and I hope they will use it. I understand well the strong sensitivities on the topics addressed in the negotiations. But I am fully convinced that Kosovo has nothing to fear from this dialogue,” he said.

He added that “Kosovo’s independence is not in question, neither its territorial integrity nor its sovereignty. Italy encourages both sides to move the negotiations forward in a constructive and open-minded way in order to write a new page of history based on mutual respect,” Di Maio said.

He said they did not support the idea of ​​redesigning the borders in the Balkans at all, saying they had seen with concern the resurgence of nationalist pressures. Di Maio, in the solemn session of the Assembly of Kosovo stated that only a concrete European perspective stops the possible redesign of the borders in the Balkans, an idea which he called a”political adventure”.

Di Maio, after the meetings he had with the Prime Minister of Kosovo, Albin Kurti and some of the Government ministers, addressed the members of the parliament of Kosovo. He made it clear during his speech that Kosovo can rely on the state of Italy and as he stressed this was proven in June 1999.
“You know very well that you can count on Italy. Italy has shown it since June 12, 1999 when our soldiers entered Kosovo under the NATO flag with a mission. Since then they continue to guarantee security,” he said. “Europe will not be able to say that it is finally united on one roof as long as the Western Balkans are not part of the EU. In the current situation, it is essential to emphasize that the goal is the membership of all countries in this area in the EU and this is important for the EU itself,” he said.

/Klara Ruci/