Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti has set a clear condition for Serbia’s next government: recognition of Kosovo’s independence.
In an interview with Radio France Internationale (RFI), Kurti expressed hope that the Student List, which reportedly emerged victorious in Serbia’s parliamentary elections on October 25, would adopt a new approach towards Kosovo and commit to normalising relations between the two countries.
He said it remains to be seen what position the list will take once a new government is formed, but called on it to accept the political reality and stop treating Kosovo as an issue whose status can be reversed.
“Recognition of independence is the fundamental test of democracy in Serbia,” Kurti stated, adding that democracies should not confront one another but should cooperate in pursuit of shared interests.
In the same interview, Kurti also criticised Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić, recalling his political past as a minister under Slobodan Milošević’s regime.
Kurti’s message comes at a time when attention is focused on new political developments in Serbia and the possibility that changes on its political scene could affect the dialogue and relations with Kosovo.
Kurti also reiterated Kosovo’s ambition to join the European Union.
