Serbian Foreign Minister Ivica Dacic strongly condemned the statement by Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama, who hinted at the possible unification of Albania and Kosovo.
Speaking with Politico, Rama said that he does not wish this unification to happen, but that it might be on the table if the European Union integration of the Balkans fails.
“Rama’s statement is another conformation that all Albanians are standing behind a joint ideological program to create a Greater Albania. This constitutes danger for the peace and stability of the Balkans and whole of Europe. Imagine what would happen if Serbian Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic said that it is possible to unite Serbia with Republika Srpska in Bosnia, unless we are allowed to join the EU?”, Vucic said. Serbia considers Kosovo to be part of its territory.
In the interview, Rama was also asked about his interference in the political process in Macedonia. He said that he did not prepare a joint platform for the parties that represent ethnic Albanians in Macedonia, but facilitated its preparation.
On Tuesday, Albanian PM, Edi Rama issued a warning that he couldn’t count out the possibility of unification between Kosovo and Albania, if European Union integration in the region is stalled. In an interview with Politico, Rama also dismissed accusations that he interfered in Macedonian politics by uniting the parties that represent ethnic Albanians behind the controversial Tirana platform.
sked if he would take a union with Kosovo off the table, Rama said: ‘No, because the only way to keep the Balkans in this peaceful and cooperative mode … is to keep the path to the EU open, to keep the perspective clear, to keep emotions about the EU positive. No one would like to turn in on themselves and look for smaller unions, everyone would like to unite in the big union. But if there’s no hope, no perspective, no space, then, of course, little unions may happen’. Many fear a union between Kosovo and Albania would trigger a new upheaval in the Balkans, which descended into war in the 1990s as Yugoslavia was torn apart. Bosnia and Macedonia would be especially vulnerable if borders were thought to be up for grabs once again. Rama said a union with Kosovo was not ‘my wish but a possible alternative to the closed door of the European Union'”, Politico writes in its interview with Rama.
(Independent MK, 19.04.2017)
http://www.independent.mk/articles/43083/Serbia+Condemns+Rama%27s+Statement+about+Albanian+Unification#sthash.2Boh4wQI.dpuf
http://www.independent.mk/articles/43055/Albanian+PM+Open+for+Kosovo+-+Albania+Unification%2C+Says+He+Merely+Facilitated+Tirana+Platform
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