TIRANA, February 25/ATA/ Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Elisa Spiropali assured today that Albania will step up our diplomatic efforts to expand recognition of Kosovo’s sovereignty.
In context of her official visit to Kosovo, Spiropali appeared at a joint press conference with First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Diaspora Glauk Konjufca.
Spiropali emphasized that the European Union’s enlargement policy should be used as a powerful tool and that the Western Balkans should not be allowed to be influenced by external actors who cause problems.
Focusing on the bilateral relations between the two countries, Spiropali emphasized that, “Kosovo is an absolute priority of Albania’s foreign policy.”
“We are strengthening a national axis and a natural alliance between two sovereign states, which have fraternal relations with each other and which share a common vision for the future,” she added.
She assessed that every step towards the international consolidation of Kosovo is an investment in security, dignity and stability throughout our Albanian space, but also in the region.
“Kosovo has confirmed its commitment to reforms and institutional stability. The lifting of European restrictive measures was certainly a necessity. The restrictive measures against Kosovo were against these objectives. Kosovo deserves the status of a EU candidate country without double standards and endless expectations”, added Spiropali.
While highlighting Albania’s clear and unwavering stance regarding Kosovo-Serbia dialogue, Spiropali stressed that, “Serbia must come to terms with this reality as a necessary step for true normalization of relations”.
“On this path, Albania will continue to strongly support Kosovo. Dialogue with Serbia remains the path to a sustainable solution and long-term stability in the region, but stability is not built on denial. Kosovo is an independent and sovereign state. Mutual recognition is the only stable basis for a healthy relationship between the two states and in our region”, said Spiropali.
Spiropali also spoke about The Hague Trial, underlining that the KLA war was a just war.
“Today, in The Hague, the leaders of the KLA face justice and they represent freedom. The historical truth is not found in the court. We demand justice. And this is a responsibility to history,” she said. /a.f/p.s./
