"EU reacted clearly to Rama's statement"

"EU reacted clearly to Rama's statement"

Rama said on Monday that Kosovo and Albania would unite "either as part of the EU or the classic way." An EC spokesperson issued a statement saying that "everyone in the Western Balkans, including Albania and Kosovo" accept the obligation of good neighborliness, cooperation and reconciliation on the path towards the EU, and that "in this context all provocative statements are particularly unacceptable."

Asked whether Belgrade-Pristina dialogue, "which has already stalled," may be jeopardized by Rama's statements supported by Kosovo's Foreign Minister Hashim Thaci, the agency' sources in the European Commission said that "Thaci did not support Rama's statement," and stressed that the Commission "does not consider the Belgrade-Pristina dialogue stalled as it continues with the work of experts."

According to the diplomatic sources in Brussels, a new round of dialogue could be held "on the margins of the meeting of prime ministers of Western Balkans countries on April 21 in Brussels," which will be "a continuation of the recent similar meeting in Pristina, where attention was devoted to the construction of key infrastructure in the region with EU's pledged support worth one billion euros."

Beta reported it was told that "what has been agreed in the dialogue must first be implemented," while the issue of the formation of a community of Serb municipalities "will certainly come up on the agenda."

When the agency's reporter remarked that Thaci said that Rama's words "reflect a reality that could come true in the future and emerge from the isolation of Kosovo by the EU", officials in Brussels said Rama's statement was "clearly rejected," and that there was "no doubt about EU's position."

Asked to comment on top Serbian officials' stance that Rama's repeatedly expressed position means he is in favor of creating a Greater Albania, and represents a challenge to peace and stability in the region, the agency's unnamed sources said that "the Western Balkan countries can make progress towards the EU only if they implement the principle of reconciliation and cooperation."

The European diplomatic sources have further been quoted as saying that the EU has already rejected the ideas of ​​Albanian politicians about the creation of a so-called Greater Albania, noting that "Rama may wish to play a leading role among all Albanians in the Balkans," but that "there are also assessments" he is trying to secure right-wing votes ahead of the upcoming local elections in Albania.

It is expected that EU Commissioner Johannes Hahn and the High Representative Federica Mogherini, who visited Belgrade and Pristina in late March, will adopt and submit to the European Commission and the EU Council of Ministers a report on the progress of the Kosovo talks, Beta also reported.

That dialogue is not considered to be stalled, Beta quoted its sources, "because lately there has been progress when an agreement on the judiciary was reached, and the civil protection structures in northern Kosovo ceased to exist."

"The dialogue continues, while the statute of a community of Serb municipalities is yet to be adopted, which has been agreed in the Brussels agreement," said the report.

"Mostly technical finishing touches are being made when it comes to the international dialing code," said the agency, "even though the Albanian side seeks to act as a 'state' there," as well as on "energy, and vehicle insurance."