Albanian PM Rama Warns New Serbian Leadership Remains Firm on Kosovo Stance

Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama has cautioned that a change in Serbia’s leadership is unlikely to diminish Belgrade’s refusal to recognize Kosovo, a stance that remains a primary hurdle for Serbia’s aspirations to join the European Union. Speaking at the Euronews Enlargement Summit in Brussels, Rama addressed the current political climate in Belgrade.

Rama noted that the Student List, the victors of Serbia’s most recent election, show no inclination to negotiate on the issue of Kosovo’s independence. “They are completely closed toward recognizing Kosovo, which means the tune in Belgrade will not change,” he stated.

Since declaring independence from Serbia in 2008, Kosovo applied for EU membership in 2022. However, the Serbian student movement—mirroring the broader political consensus within Serbia—maintains that Kosovo is an “inalienable part of the Republic of Serbia.” This deadlock continues to hinder Serbia’s EU accession process, as Brussels insists that the normalization of relations between Belgrade and Pristina is essential for regional stability.

Beyond the Kosovo dispute, Rama criticized Serbia’s failure to align with EU foreign policy, specifically regarding sanctions imposed on Russia. “We want Serbia as part of a neighborhood that is fully integrated into the EU. However, Serbia must earn that place by fulfilling non-negotiable requirements,” Rama asserted.

Discussing Albania’s own trajectory toward EU membership, Rama declined to set a firm date for accession but reiterated his goal to conclude negotiations by the end of 2027. Albania has held candidate status since 2014 and began formal negotiations in 2020, placing it among the frontrunners for membership alongside Montenegro.

Reflecting on the unpredictability of EU promises, Rama advocated for a “Helmut Kohl moment”—referencing the German chancellor’s role in unification—to push for a broader expansion of the bloc. “Europe must bring everyone to the table as part of one family,” he said.

Rama, who has previously suggested the partial integration of candidate nations as a transitional phase, used a metaphor involving European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen’s children to warn against leaving candidates in a geopolitical limbo. He suggested that without integration, candidate nations might be swayed by the influence of “Russian gangsters” or “Chinese toys.”

Finally, Rama took a pointed swipe at the United Kingdom’s efforts to reset its relationship with Brussels following Brexit, suggesting that the UK should wait its turn. “The Brits should wait for now because we have waited enough for them; they are currently behind Montenegro and Albania,” he concluded.

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