TIRANA, Nov. 3 /ATA/ – Prime Minister Edi Rama said on Tuesday that a victory by the Student List in Serbia would not bring a change in Belgrade’s position on the recognition of Kosovo, arguing that the group’s stance on the issue was no different from that of former Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić.
Rama made the remarks during an interview with Euronews journalist Maria Tadeo at the Euronews Enlargement Summit, a high-level forum focusing on European Union enlargement and the membership prospects of candidate countries.
Asked about the Student List’s electoral victory in Serbia and Vučić’s defeat, Rama said the group had shown no willingness to reconsider its position on Kosovo’s recognition.
“What I know is that the winners in Belgrade are showing no openness on what is the issue closest to my heart and to the hearts of Albanians: the recognition of Kosovo. They are entirely closed to this issue, which means that the ‘music’ in Belgrade will not change,” Rama said.
The government head also stressed Serbia’s importance to regional stability and said the country should not abandon its European integration path.
He warned that Serbia’s withdrawal from the European project would have negative consequences for the entire Western Balkans, arguing that the ultimate goal should be the full integration of the region into the European Union.
“Serbia is a very important part of the Western Balkans mosaic. I have always advocated against allowing Serbia to move in the wrong direction and, in a way, abandon the European project, because this would primarily harm our entire region,” Rama said.
However, he stressed that Serbia must meet its obligations before joining the EU, particularly regarding the normalisation of relations with Kosovo and its policy towards Russia.
“On the other hand, we know how things work: if you want to join the European Union, you have to deliver on a range of issues. On certain matters, Serbia has demonstrated reluctance, not only regarding the normalisation of relations with Kosovo, but also its position towards Russia, sanctions and other issues,” he said.
“We need Serbia to be with us and to be part of a neighbourhood fully integrated into the European Union. But, once again, Serbia must demonstrate results and fully earn its place by delivering on all the requirements that are non-negotiable in its relations with the European Union,” Rama added.
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