Albania and Kosovo held a joint parliamentary session in Tirana on Sunday to mark 110 years of Albanian independence, with prime ministers from both governments taking to the floor to address the current geopolitical tensions and matters facing Albanians at home and abroad.
Both Albania and Kosovo are populated with mainly ethnic Albanians, along with parts of North Macedonia, Greece, and Montenegro who share a language, traditions, culture, and ethnography.
“Better cooperation between the two countries contributes to the progress of the Albanian community in the Balkans and makes the region and Europe more stable,” said Albanian Assembly Speaker Lindita Nikolla on Sunday.
Meanwhile, Kosovo Assembly Speaker Glauk Konjufca noted the danger coming from Serbia and asked for Tirana’s help.
“Serbia does not hide its goal at all, which is the destabilisation of Kosovo and the de facto division of our state; Serbia fights us from inside and outside…The closer Albania and Kosovo are to each other, the easier it will be to protect the vital interests of our nation”, said Konjufca.
Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama spoke about a number of joint projects between the two countries, including at the port and a regional railway, while Kosovo’s Prime Minister Albin Kurti called for more collaboration between the two.
“We should be happy when we get involved as much as possible in each other’s public affairs, not to hinder but to contribute…We have to work together, share ideas, accept different perspectives, and criticise each other”, said Kurti.
Members of the opposition Democratic Party, specifically supporters of Sali Berisha, left the parliament when Rama took to the floor. Speaking to the media outside the parliament building, Berisha criticised Rama for his friendship and collaboration with Serbian Prime Minister Aleksander Vucic.
On the topic of Kosovo’s ongoing issues with Serbia, boiling down to a lack of formal recognition of its independence, Rama said it would not have to wait much longer.
“I believe that its final recognition will come sooner rather than later and that Kosovo will not wait as long as it has since declaring its independence to be finally recognised internationally,” he said.
The Kosovo war took place from 1998-1999 and Kosovo declared independence from Serbia in 2008.
On Sunday, world-famous singer Dua Lipa whose parents are from Kosovo was granted Albanian citizenship by President Bajram Begaj.
“The Albanian youth has you as an example and you have shown that dreams can be achieved by working harder and harder. You have made all Albanians together! Therefore, I am pleased to grant you Albanian citizenship”, said Begaj.
(Alice Taylor | Exit.al)
Source: euractiv.com
