The Acting Prime Minister of Kosovo, Albin Kurti, in his speech at the Berlin Process Summit being held in London, repeated the request that Serbia be held responsible for the armed attack in Banjska in Zveçan, where a member of the Kosovo Police was killed. He emphasized that justice for this event has not yet been decided, recalling that the perpetrators of the attack are not facing the law.
“Our hostile neighbor to the north must not be allowed to act with impunity, as this encourages new incursions and sends a dangerous signal that attacks on Kosovo’s sovereignty and territorial integrity can go unpunished“, said Kurti.
In his speech, Kurti also focused on the need for a stable unity in Europe, as he mentioned that the countries of the Western Balkans remain outside the European Union and partly outside the NATO treaties.
“This is neither wise nor solid. To curb Russian or Chinese influence in Europe, we must not leave any vacuum,” Kurti said.
He recalled that the Berlin Process was created in 2014 as an alternative to keep the region close to the EU, after the ban on enlargement by the European Commission.
“When the European Commission stopped the enlargement process in 2014, Berlin took the initiative by creating the “Western Balkan Six” format through the Berlin Process, in order to keep our region close to the EU. Today, when we have war in Europe as a result of Russian aggression in Ukraine, London can help a lot by supporting Western Balkan countries that want to join NATO, thus closing this dangerous security gap. We have common goals and common values, and we have no other alternative than EU and NATO membership, these should be seen as strengths“, added Kurti.
He also appealed for support from the United Kingdom, emphasizing that London can play a key role in closing the security gaps in the region, through the support of countries aiming for NATO membership.
“We have common goals and common values, and we have no alternative but to join the EU and NATO – these should be seen as strengthsKurti emphasized.
The British capital hosted the next Summit of the Berlin Process, bringing together the six leaders of the Western Balkans, where Prime Minister Edi Rama is also present.
Kurt’s full speech
The Dear Prime Minister Starmer,
Thank you for welcoming us to this great house where nations have often gathered to shape their future.
Dear Chancellor Merz,
Dear colleagues and friends from the European Union and the Western Balkans,
We are meeting at a time when Europe is so prosperous, but at the same time never before has it been attacked so much.
The growing threat of authoritarianism, both outside and within our continent, is a challenge Europe knows all too well.
As we mark the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II and the 75th anniversary of the European Convention on Human Rights, we are reminded that peace, freedom and human dignity are not guaranteed – they must be protected and continually renewed by each generation.
Therefore, we need a strong sense of unity, strong enough to withstand both external pressures and internal doubts.
Such unity should also extend to the southeast of our continent. The Western Balkans are geographically located within the borders of the EU and NATO, but all countries remain outside the EU and half outside the NATO treaties. This is neither wise nor sound. To curb Russian or Chinese influence in Europe, we must not leave any vacuum.
When the European Commission stopped the enlargement process in 2014, Berlin took the initiative by creating the “Western Balkan Six” format through the Berlin Process, in order to keep our region close to the EU. Today, when we have war in Europe as a result of Russian aggression in Ukraine, London can help a lot by supporting Western Balkan countries that want to join NATO, thus closing this dangerous security gap. We have common goals and common values, and we have no alternative but to join the EU and NATO – these should be seen as strengths.
During the last five years, Kosovo has made the fastest progress in democratic, economic and security indicators. We had an average of 6% economic growth and never less than 4%. Three months ago, the World Bank and the IMF removed Kosovo from the list of fragile and conflict-affected countries, thus recognizing the stability, stability and good governance we have built.
However, our progress remains under the shadow of constant threats and aggression from our northern neighbor. The terrorist attack in Banjska cannot be ignored. Milan Radoicic has accepted responsibility, however, justice has not yet been served. Our hostile neighbor to the north must not be allowed to act with impunity, as this encourages new incursions and sends a dangerous signal that attacks on Kosovo’s sovereignty and territorial integrity can go unpunished.
As for economic development, Kosovo supports the Common Regional Market and the Green Agenda as a framework for sustainable development. But more funding is needed to close the convergence gap in key infrastructure projects, including the green transition, as well as to reduce inequality with more solidarity.
Since the last summit, we signed a new trade agreement with EFTA member countries in January this year during the World Economic Forum in Davos, covering goods and services, thus expanding our markets. In our first direct chairmanship of CEFTA, we restored its functionality by electing a new director, after more than two years of deadlock.
On migration, we have committed the UK to tackling the causes of instability: strengthening border security, fighting organized crime, stopping illicit finance and helping to manage migration flows. We have been seriously engaged in combating small arms and light weapons that are used by non-state actors, but also as tools of destabilization by malevolent state actors. Kosovo is not a source of migration, but only a transit point with relatively very low numbers.
