Acting Prime Minister of Kosovo, Albin Kurti, shared updates late Monday night regarding his high-level diplomatic engagements at the European Political Community (EPC) Summit in Armenia.
In a statement posted on Facebook, Kurti detailed his interactions with the top leadership of NATO and the President of Ukraine, underscoring Kosovo’s strategic goal of full Euro-Atlantic integration.
Strategic Meetings in Armenia
The summit provided a rare platform for Kurti to engage with leaders from nations that do not yet formally recognize Kosovo.
- Volodymyr Zelenskyy: Kurti highlighted his conversation with the Ukrainian President, noting that Kosovo aims to establish formal diplomatic relations with Kyiv.
- Mark Rutte: Meeting with the NATO Secretary General, Kurti reiterated that membership in the alliance is both a “necessity” and the “best guarantee” for long-term stability in the Western Balkans.
- EU and Regional Leaders: Kurti also held talks with EU Foreign Policy Chief Kaja Kallas, and the Prime Ministers of Croatia (Plenković), Luxembourg (Frieden), and Finland (Orpo), as well as Prince Albert II of Monaco.
Participation in Key Panels
Kurti actively participated in two major thematic panels during the summit:
- European Coalition Against Drugs: Addressing trans-border organized crime.
- Reinforcing Democratic Resilience and Addressing Hybrid Threats: Discussing the protection of democratic structures against external interference and disinformation.
The Path Forward: Candidate Status and Recognition
Kurti utilized the summit to advocate for a merit-based accession process, emphasizing that Kosovo is fully aligned with EU foreign and security policies. He called on EU member states that “still hesitate” to recognize Kosovo’s independence to do so, arguing that such a move—alongside advancing Kosovo to EU candidate status—is essential for the region’s sustainable development.
“The Republic of Kosovo is determined and committed to its path toward EU and NATO membership,” Kurti wrote, framing these goals as the pillars of regional security.
