TIRANA, June  7 /ATA/ President of the Republic of Albania, Bajram Begaj, has reacted over the tensions in Kosovo, stressing that they do not serve the strategic objective of the region to integrate into the European Union.

“No one approves of the conduct and situation that does not serve stability of the region, even more so when the region is on the path to EU integration. All of us expected to see continuation of the negotiations pursuant to that deal, which was agreed upon in Brussels, and the annexes discussed at the Ohrid meeting… We are witnessing a tense situation, due to the misuse of the Serbian community in the north of the country and also violence against journalists, the Kosovo police and citizens employed by criminal groups in the north,” Begaj told the joint press conference alongside his Estonian counterpart, Alar Karis.

According to him, the situation requires a solution that must come from the top officials of Pristina and Belgrade

“This has repercussions for the region and for the international community, straining the energies that need to be put into addressing the situation in Kosovo. The situation requires a solution, which has to be thrashed out by the leaders and by the two main actors,” said Begaj.

Regarding the “Open Balkan,” Begaj said that the initiative has political goals and is welcome if it serves our people.

“As far as regional initiatives are concerned, every initiative is positive. It is necessary and important, it is my opinion and of our partners. The benefits of such initiatives are tangible. I am referring to the Berlin Process, where the benefit is real. As far as the Open Balkan is concerned, it is an initiative conceived of from an economic perspective, which would bring benefits through the exchange of goods, people, etc. If it is comprehensive and is applied only in the economic framework and brings benefits to the population in Albania and Kosovo, it is welcome. Our strategic goal is EU integration. If we as a region do not communicate with each other, how are we supposed to communicate with the entire European community?!” – said Begaj.

/r.e/sm/