At the opening of the summit, Prime Minister Edi Rama told the media representatives that “this is a platform to hold discussions on concrete issues, but it is not a platform from which you can expect at the end of the day that a certain issue or a crisis will be get on track to be solved.

It is a platform for a very important interaction.”

Asked if he is worried about the situation in the north of Kosovo, Rama said that “I am very worried. I am very much concerned, and we are all very concerned, as it is a very, very dangerous situation and it has now come to the point of a potential danger amplifying year after year. “Criminal activities in that part inhabited by the Serb minority are completely in line with a political agenda and with a lot of nationalism, so it’s very, very dangerous.”

In reply to the question whether the EU has taken measures against Kosovo and whether he thinks it is time for the EU to take measures against Serbia as well, Rama said that “not only do I think so, but for the first time in at least the last 10 years, Albania is not aligned with EU foreign policy statement, precisely because of this. We have always been in full agreement with the EU and the US in relation to the need for the Kosovo authorities to move forward and be proactive and constructive in dialogue and from our point of view to fully benefit from the Franco-German plan, which is absolutely a step forward and a very good agreement for Kosovo and for the region, but at the same time the fact that the Republic of Serbia declared days of national mourning to honor the members of that paramilitary criminal group that killed the police officer was more than enough for the European Union to step up and say this runs against the European values.

This is not acceptable. This is not justice and as such as is reprehensible.”

Asked if he fears a potential war, Rama said that “war is a big word, but before it is too late, measures need to be taken, and we are following it quite closely. It is very important to see a strong will and things are moving within NATO to reinforce the KFOR mission in the north because the border there has become completely porous, transparent and all kinds of weaponry, all kinds of other trafficks are happening. At the same time, we strongly hope that the dialogue will resume.”

Asked whether tomorrow’s theme will also be the suggestion of some member countries to have a second-class membership, Rama emphasized that “there is no second-class membership, but in this situation, there is a Europe of first-class and a Europe of second-class between Europeans who have the B attached and Europeans who have only the E but not B. At the same time, we must be realistic and we must not look at the finger, while showing where the moon is and believe that this Europe of 27 members which struggles with multiple problems to have a compact decision-making, to do thinking and strategic planning, is able to enlarge to 33, or 35 or 37 soon”.

“Instead of all or nothing for us who are not members of the EU, a new approach must be found. New alternatives must be weighed and of course this division within must become more interactive. For example, the spirit of the European political community should and can be transposed within the perimeter of the European Union without necessarily giving full membership, because this will not happen”, said Rama.
So far, the European Political Community has held two meetings. At the first meeting in October 2022, European leaders mainly discussed peace and security issues, especially the war in Ukraine and the energy crisis. At the next meeting, in June 2023, they discussed joint efforts for peace and security, energy sustainability and connectivity and mobility in Europe.
The European Political Community aims to promote political dialogue and cooperation to address issues of common interest, strengthen the security, stability and prosperity of the European continent.
/k.s/r.e/sm/