Kosovo and Albania hold joint parliamentary session on EU integration and regional cooperation

Dec 20, 2024 - A joint session of the Parliaments of Kosovo and Albania has begun in Pristina, with 130 MPs in attendance. The session focuses on aligning the national agendas of both countries to achieve key strategic goals, including Albania's EU membership, Kosovo’s Euro-Atlantic integration, the protection of Albanian rights, and strengthening regional cooperation in peace and security.

The session opened with the national anthems of both countries, followed by speeches from Glauk Konjufca, Speaker of Kosovo's Parliament, and Elisa Spiropali, Speaker of Albania’s Parliament. Prime Ministers Edi Rama and Albin Kurti are also expected to speak.

Prime Minister Rama addressed the ongoing trial of former Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA) leaders, including Hashim Thaçi, calling the process a “legal irregularity” and questioning its fairness. He argued that the trial's standards fall short of what is expected in a democratic justice system, especially given the international funding of the court. Rama also urged Parliament to pass a resolution calling on the court’s funding countries to address these concerns and ensure proper judicial standards.

Rama further discussed Kosovo-Serbia relations, suggesting that Kosovo should pause its bilateral talks with Serbia and pursue negotiations through the EU framework instead. He stressed the importance of disconnecting Kosovo’s progress from nationalist tensions with Serbia and linking it directly to European integration.

Reflecting on Albania’s journey, Rama highlighted the significant progress made over the past decade despite challenges such as natural disasters and a global pandemic. "These efforts have brought Albania closer to becoming the European country it has long aspired to be," he said. He also expressed confidence that Albania will host NATO's mission next year to assess its readiness for EU membership.

Kosovo’s Prime Minister, Albin Kurti, highlighted the importance of joining NATO, saying that the aggression from Russia and Serbia makes it more urgent. He expressed confidence that, with Albania’s support, Kosovo can meet NATO’s criteria. Kurti also pointed out that Serbia’s terrorist acts, which are funded by Belgrade, show the country's desperation. He noted the strong cooperation between Kosovo and Albania, mentioning agreements that have improved areas like infrastructure, tourism, and cross-border movement.

The Kosovar PM described the border between Albania and Kosovo like "the connection between two parts of the heart", symbolizing the strong and inseparable bond between the two nations. The Prime Minister also spoke about joint projects in areas such as healthcare, culture, and emergency response. He finished by urging both countries to keep working together to improve life for their citizens and strengthen their partnership.

Kosovo President Vjosa Osmani also emphasised the importance of unity between the two countries. "Albania’s progress towards the EU is a source of pride for all Albanians. Together, we can overcome the obstacles ahead," she said. Osmani stressed that Albania and Kosovo’s shared European future requires strong cooperation.

Konjufca, Speaker of Kosovo’s Parliament, stressed the successful cooperation between the two parliaments and condemned a recent attack on Kosovo by Serbia. Describing the attack as a "terrorist act," he criticised Serbia for failing to hold those responsible accountable, pointing out that the attack had the support of Serbian officials. He urged Kosovo to follow Albania’s example on the EU integration path, despite the obstacles it faces.

Albanian Speaker Elisa Spiropali called for continued unity and determination. She spoke of the unwavering resolve of the Albanian people and stressed the importance of ongoing cooperation between Albania and Kosovo to secure their shared European future.