Prime Minister Edi Rama has stated, “Kosovo does not conduct dialogue with Serbia, and I have made this clear publicly. I have conveyed this to Kosovo’s leaders as well. Kosovo’s dialogue is with the EU.”

During an interview with Nacionale, when questioned about developments in Kosovo and talks with Serbia, Rama underscored, “Kosovo’s aim is not to integrate with Serbia; rather, it aims to join the EU and NATO. So, what should Kosovo do? Kosovo should fulfill its obligations from A to Z, without waiting for Serbia to act. It’s quite straightforward. By adopting this approach to negotiations, Kosovo has essentially intertwined its destiny with Serbia.”

“The authorities in Kosovo have the autonomy to act in what they deem to be Kosovo’s best interests. It’s not my role to comment or analyze events in Kosovo. However, I am aware, despite facing constant attacks from Kosovo’s digital army branding me as a traitor, that even if everyone were to be labeled traitors like me, Kosovo would still be part of the Council of Europe today. But what I strongly believe is that the negotiation strategy with Serbia should have been different. Kosovo does not conduct dialogue with Serbia, as I have stated publicly, and also to your leaders. Kosovo’s dialogue is with the EU. Kosovo’s aspiration is not to integrate into Serbia but to join the EU, NATO, and become an equal member of the democratic family of the West, recognizing that the East is represented by Russia and not Poland,” Rama emphasized.

The Prime Minister underscored that “Kosovo should fulfill its responsibilities from A to Z, without expecting Serbia to fulfill its obligations. What Kosovo is asked for is in the best interest of Kosovo.”

He further stated, “Kosovo has won its war. Now Kosovo faces another challenge: to affirm its international subjectivity.”

“And it’s clear what the obligations of the parties are. Serbia has its own obligations, and Kosovo has its own. If I had determined the strategy and tactics of these negotiations, I would have fulfilled our part, leaving it to the US and the EU to manage the rest. I would have said, ‘We have done our part. Now deal with the others there, and don’t seek anything more from us. Open the doors that you can for us,'” Rama underlined during the interview.

Prime Minister Rama concluded that “by pursuing this alternative approach to negotiations, Kosovo has tethered its fate to Serbia. While this may yield electoral gains, it does not advance the cause of Kosovo’s international recognition.”

/k.s/