Albania welcomes EU Kosovo mission decision

oh-how we want you to open the borders and please take as much as you been sending us for the past 60 years.

It is estimated that over 800 000 mainly Kosovar Albanians were sent to Turkey in an egreement (still in force) between ex Jugoslavia (Serbia) and Turkey.
Repression and later war made many more albanians to leave Kosovo, but seems also to have lead to Kosovo breaking away.

This is what we know this far, what can be predicted is that, by Serbia closing the border with Kosovo and Albania opening it, this de facto will create Great Albania.

One would not be wrong to say that the main factor and cause in all this seem to be Serbia itself.

This to some degree appears to have been the case since the war ended, Kosovo had relaxed border-crossing with Macedonia, Montenegro and Albania of course, while movement to and from Serbia has been very restricted (mainly for albanians), and it works.

I would find it very hard to belive that Serbia would ever become an EU member with that kinde of behaviour towards their neighbours, it is simply NOT possible.

As an EU citizen I can not imagine anyone that would accept such a scenario.
This has also been expressed clearly and resolutely by (main) EU countries.

Peter,
I'll tell you what good would do.
With this new highway that Albaia is building, within 2-3 hours you can reach the port of Durres from Prishtina, and than the whole world is yours.
From Prishtina to the serbian border you might need also 2-3 hours drive.

Albanian Prime Minister Sali Berisha has said that his country was ready to open its border with Kosovo if Serbia imposes a trade block on the province should it declare independence.

Well-said mr Berisha,better late than never,finally Albania is assuming its responsabilities.
Kosova won't be alone anymore!

Hermon

Highways take years to build. What good does it do Kosovo that a highway will be built in the future when an embargo might hit the economy tomorrow? Prevention is better than cure, sorry to say.

Peter first of all the highway is being built as we speak. There's some good progress being made. It might take one year, maximum two years more.
Secondly, whatever the economical effects of Serbia's trade embargo are, they will be temporary. In this world today everyone is willing to sell you.I am sure Macedonia and Greece would make great profits out of this Serbian decision. Once Serbia blocks that border though, it has sealed Kosova/o away from her forever. It is a two way thing. It can no longer ask for more negotiations since Serbia itself is imposing a border in what Serbia calls a unitary state, and there are no borders within a unitary state.
I and thousands like me are willing to send more money to our families back home to help them cope with higher prices resulting from an embargo. I and many like me will work extra hours, work on weekend, find a second and even a third job so we can send money back home and help our families cope with higher prices.

peter,
you win,
but we still the same and will do what we want.
so i am sorry to say it too

AlboSwe,
Its a very common thing to do in the west, to send money to some very underdeveloped countries. Look for exampel at Haiti the western hemispheres poorest country and also at Albania the eastern hemispheres poorest country. These two countries wouldn't survive if it wasn't for all the money relatives sent back. They are not economicly in good shape, why is it I don't know since both Haiti and Albania have had their "independence" for many years, but it must come down to bad leadership, thats all I can see.

But of course Kosovo will be much different from Albania and Haiti if only they get their independence! Would anyone dare to bet that it would also never be able to survive without human and economicly aid?

" Albanian Prime Minister Sali Berisha has said that his country was ready to open its border with Kosovo if Serbia imposes a trade block on the province should it declare independence."

What good would that do? Serbia is Kosovo's biggest trade partner, energy provider and link to the world through modern roads and rail. Albania is one of the poorest countries in Europe which is only now beginning to plan energy development and has some of the worst roads in Europe. The EU needs to handle this in such a way so that Serbia does not cut off all ties with Kosovo, because that will only make the situation worse for everybody (EU, Serbia, but especially Kosovo Serbs and Albanians).

Hermon,
and how do you suggest that an albanian in the easiest way drive by car to example Vienna or Budapest?
Is it the best way to first go to Albania, then ferry to Italy, then drive thru the whole
Italy and then Austria? Good logics there! You should probably be able to land a coordinator job for DHL in Kosovo with you logical thinking...

One day all Balkan countries will be under a EU roof so greater Albania can only happen in the sense of united Albanians and not spread out across the world. This highway and open borders make that dream even more possible. I'll take the highway and go to Durres for summer vacation from there get on a boat to Italy..so on and so on.

johny

You said smth interesting about sending money, I already send 1/4 of my salary to my relatives every month, eventhough they dont hungry for money I do since its my relatives and that money goes to the state one way or another and I know they are many more ppl like me doin the same thing. How do you ppl think Kosova is being build as fast and has already reached the highest construction rate in whole of Europe. A serbian embargo wont change much, maybe some increase on prices but thats it. We have our neighbors to make business more then gladly and we will soon have a port (Durres, Albania) open for the whole world.

"Highways take years to build."

Hermon what you say is true but you should know and especially the Kosovo Albanians should know that the cost of the Highway is far more than they can possibly afford. Its not going to happen any time soon, probably not for 20 years. Albania is the poorest country in Central Europe and I'll bet you that the EU will not build this highway out of Charity.

doni

That's fine by me, I have nothing against Kosovo gaining independence. I just think it would be better if the international community handle this properly to everyone's benefit, that is all.

Albanian Prime Minister Sali Berisha has said that his country was ready to open its border with Kosovo if Serbia imposes a trade block on the province should it declare independence.

Well-said mr Berisha,better late than never,finally Albania is assuming its responsabilities.
Kosova won't be alone anymore!

It is estimated that over 800 000 mainly Kosovar Albanians were sent to Turkey in an egreement (still in force) between ex Jugoslavia (Serbia) and Turkey.
Repression and later war made many more albanians to leave Kosovo, but seems also to have lead to Kosovo breaking away.

This is what we know this far, what can be predicted is that, by Serbia closing the border with Kosovo and Albania opening it, this de facto will create Great Albania.

One would not be wrong to say that the main factor and cause in all this seem to be Serbia itself.

This to some degree appears to have been the case since the war ended, Kosovo had relaxed border-crossing with Macedonia, Montenegro and Albania of course, while movement to and from Serbia has been very restricted (mainly for albanians), and it works.

I would find it very hard to belive that Serbia would ever become an EU member with that kinde of behaviour towards their neighbours, it is simply NOT possible.

As an EU citizen I can not imagine anyone that would accept such a scenario.
This has also been expressed clearly and resolutely by (main) EU countries.

peter,
you win,
but we still the same and will do what we want.
so i am sorry to say it too

Peter first of all the highway is being built as we speak. There's some good progress being made. It might take one year, maximum two years more.
Secondly, whatever the economical effects of Serbia's trade embargo are, they will be temporary. In this world today everyone is willing to sell you.I am sure Macedonia and Greece would make great profits out of this Serbian decision. Once Serbia blocks that border though, it has sealed Kosova/o away from her forever. It is a two way thing. It can no longer ask for more negotiations since Serbia itself is imposing a border in what Serbia calls a unitary state, and there are no borders within a unitary state.
I and thousands like me are willing to send more money to our families back home to help them cope with higher prices resulting from an embargo. I and many like me will work extra hours, work on weekend, find a second and even a third job so we can send money back home and help our families cope with higher prices.

oh-how we want you to open the borders and please take as much as you been sending us for the past 60 years.

Peter,
I'll tell you what good would do.
With this new highway that Albaia is building, within 2-3 hours you can reach the port of Durres from Prishtina, and than the whole world is yours.
From Prishtina to the serbian border you might need also 2-3 hours drive.

" Albanian Prime Minister Sali Berisha has said that his country was ready to open its border with Kosovo if Serbia imposes a trade block on the province should it declare independence."

What good would that do? Serbia is Kosovo's biggest trade partner, energy provider and link to the world through modern roads and rail. Albania is one of the poorest countries in Europe which is only now beginning to plan energy development and has some of the worst roads in Europe. The EU needs to handle this in such a way so that Serbia does not cut off all ties with Kosovo, because that will only make the situation worse for everybody (EU, Serbia, but especially Kosovo Serbs and Albanians).

doni

That's fine by me, I have nothing against Kosovo gaining independence. I just think it would be better if the international community handle this properly to everyone's benefit, that is all.

One day all Balkan countries will be under a EU roof so greater Albania can only happen in the sense of united Albanians and not spread out across the world. This highway and open borders make that dream even more possible. I'll take the highway and go to Durres for summer vacation from there get on a boat to Italy..so on and so on.

johny

You said smth interesting about sending money, I already send 1/4 of my salary to my relatives every month, eventhough they dont hungry for money I do since its my relatives and that money goes to the state one way or another and I know they are many more ppl like me doin the same thing. How do you ppl think Kosova is being build as fast and has already reached the highest construction rate in whole of Europe. A serbian embargo wont change much, maybe some increase on prices but thats it. We have our neighbors to make business more then gladly and we will soon have a port (Durres, Albania) open for the whole world.

Hermon

Highways take years to build. What good does it do Kosovo that a highway will be built in the future when an embargo might hit the economy tomorrow? Prevention is better than cure, sorry to say.

Hermon,
and how do you suggest that an albanian in the easiest way drive by car to example Vienna or Budapest?
Is it the best way to first go to Albania, then ferry to Italy, then drive thru the whole
Italy and then Austria? Good logics there! You should probably be able to land a coordinator job for DHL in Kosovo with you logical thinking...

"Highways take years to build."

Hermon what you say is true but you should know and especially the Kosovo Albanians should know that the cost of the Highway is far more than they can possibly afford. Its not going to happen any time soon, probably not for 20 years. Albania is the poorest country in Central Europe and I'll bet you that the EU will not build this highway out of Charity.

AlboSwe,
Its a very common thing to do in the west, to send money to some very underdeveloped countries. Look for exampel at Haiti the western hemispheres poorest country and also at Albania the eastern hemispheres poorest country. These two countries wouldn't survive if it wasn't for all the money relatives sent back. They are not economicly in good shape, why is it I don't know since both Haiti and Albania have had their "independence" for many years, but it must come down to bad leadership, thats all I can see.

But of course Kosovo will be much different from Albania and Haiti if only they get their independence! Would anyone dare to bet that it would also never be able to survive without human and economicly aid?