TIRANA, Aug  24 /ATA/ – By Maela Marini/ Prime Minister Edi Rama spoke on Wednesday at the “European Alpbach” forum in Austria on the issue of visa liberalization for Kosovo, while emphasizing that “less than 2 million people are being held hostage at the heart of Europe.”

“Kosovo was liberated by the great democratic powers from a barbaric regime. But under the barbarian regime they could move freely in Europe, while under their liberators they are held hostage, as they can not move freely. So, the grandparents of children born in free Kosovo and who are already adults could go to Germany, come to Austria, even work. Their children cannot move because there is no visa-free regime for Kosovo,” Rama said at the forum on the topic “EU’s Geopolitical Awakening.”

“So what is the point of this geopolitical awakening when the Western Balkans lies in the heart of Europe and the European Union, as far as I know, the only geographical reality in the history of maps with an external border and an internal border because to enter the Western Balkans you must first enter the European Union; you cannot enter any of the Balkan countries unless you pass through the European Union,” said the Prime Minister.

According to Rama, “this geographical reality is not addressed in the right way politically.”

“While visas were liberalized for tens of millions of people, – for example, Ukraine, Georgia, – less than 2 million people are being held hostage in the heart of Europe, why? On the other hand, there are tensions in Mitrovica and not in Mitrovica. When it comes to sustaining the success of the dialogue, it is not the business of anyone, “Give these people the freedom to move” and tell them, “You are already free to move”, but at the same time, more constructive dialogue is needed,” he added.

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