Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs

Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, Ditmir Bushati met today a group of political representatives from the Presevo Valley. On focus of the discussion were the situation of the rights of Albanians living in the Presevo Valley, as well as the current developments in the region.

Minister Bushati paid attention to the viewpoints and demands put forward by the representatives, whose main concern was their socio-economic, cultural and educational progress, and the lack of primary services and standards that are leading to the loss of prospects for young people and their movement from the Valley. Minister Bushati reiterated our commitment to unconditional support in addressing their demands, which has been materialized in a number of initiatives and contributions for the promotion of the development capacities by the Albanian Government and assured the interlocutors that the Albanian state will continue to demand from Serbia to fully respect all rights that the Albanians in the Valley are entitled to, more welfare and more involvement in the integration processes of Serbia.

“It is a direct obligation of Serbian authorities to ensure the full and equal enjoyment of the rights of the Albanian population in Serbia in compliance with the commitments stemming from the negotiation process with the European Union, as well as pursuant to the internationally accepted norms. What we demand from Serbia is to provide you with the same rights that Serbs enjoy in Kosovo”, the Minister voiced.

In addition, Presevo Valley representatives set forth their views on the current state of affairs in the region, particularly on the Kosovo-Serbia dialogue process. In this context, Minister Bushati shared with the interlocutors Albania’s approach to these developments, highlighting the importance of continuing the dialogue, while orientating it effectively, in clear, unequivocal and balanced terms as regards the full implementation of agreements and advancement of Kosovo’s integration processes. “We rely on our conviction that the process of dialogue must be concluded by a mutual recognition agreement between the two countries, which would bring not only the full normalization of relations between them, but would also be a strong guarantee for democratic stability of the whole region”, Minister Bushati underscored.