Albania–Kosovo relations

Albania - Kosovo relations

Albania
Kosovo

Albanian–Kosovan relations are foreign relations between Albania and Kosovo. Albania has an embassy in Pristina and the Republic of Kosovo has an embassy in Tirana. There are two million Albanians living in Kosovo (93% of Kosovo's population) and Albanian is the biggest official language of Kosovo.[1]

History of relations before Kosovo's Independence

In 1992, Albania was the only country which, by a parliament decision, recognized the Republic of Kosova, proclaimed independent one year earlier, in 1991, although official support was limited to such declaration; in addition, in 1994, when the Bosnian conflict escalated Albania made a step back by recognizing Yugoslavia's borders, which were inclusive of Kosovo.[2]

Political relations

When Kosovo declared its independence from Serbia on 17 February 2008, Albania became one of the first countries to officially announce its recognition of the sovereign Republic of Kosovo, which is recognised today by 108 out of 193 (56%) United Nations (UN) member states. On 18 August 2009, Prime Minister Sali Berisha of Albania was quoted saying that "There should be no customs administration between the two countries. We should by no means allow Albania and Kosovo to view each other as foreign countries", provoking an outrage in Serbia.[3] The Albanian Foreign Ministry in a clarification note to Serbia said: "Albania considers the independent state of Kosova as a factor of peace and stability in the Balkan region, whereas its independence is considered as a clear step serving people, stability and European perspective of the region". The Albanian Foreign Ministry also said that the foreign policy of the Republic of Albania" is based on common objectives of Euro-Atlantic integration of the country, Republic of Kosova and entire region".[4]

Cultural relations

In October 2011 an agreement was reached between the Ministry of Culture of Kosovo and that of Albania on the common use of embassies and consulary services,[5] whereas in May 2012 a common primer for the 2012-13 academic year of first class students was approved by both governments.[6]

Economic relations

The Albanian Konfindustria threw first the idea of an Albanian regional market in 2008,[7] whereas the idea about a common economic space between Albania and Kosovo was seminated by Kosovo government officials in 2011.[8] They were reinforced especially by Behgjet Pacolli in some of his speeches in Albania: Pacolli claimed that the economic union would increase competition towards the EU.[9] Pacolli's ideas were endorsed by the Party for Justice, Integration and Unity.[10]

See also

References

  1. ↑ - New Kosova Report - Birthate picks up again in Kosovo - Society
  2. ↑ Florian Bieber; Židas Daskalovski (1 April 2003). Understanding the War in Kosovo. Taylor & Francis. p. 83. ISBN 978-0-7146-8327-0. Retrieved 19 May 2012.
  3. ↑ Serbia formally protests Berisha's statement
  4. ↑ Albanian FM answers Serbia's protest note
  5. ↑ Albania-Kosovo agreement rekindles old suspicions
  6. ↑ Common Albanian, Kosovo primer presented
  7. ↑ Nisma per krijimin e tregut te hapur shqiptar dhe rajonal
  8. ↑ Kosovo, Albania may form “economic union”
  9. ↑ Pacolli: Bashkim ekonomik Kosovë-Shqipëri
  10. ↑ PDIU fton për bashkim ekonomik Shqipëri-Kosovë

External links

Note

Kosovo is the subject of a territorial dispute between the Republic of Serbia and the Republic of Kosovo. The latter declared independence on 17 February 2008, but Serbia continues to claim it as part of its own sovereign territory. Kosovo's independence has been recognised by 108 out of 193 United Nations member states.