Kosovo’s Prime Minister Albin Kurti has stated that Serbia today reflects Russia’s authoritarian style, whose strategy includes creating tensions in Kosovo and dividing Bosnia, using these tactics as bargaining tools with the West to secure concessions and avoid necessary reforms.
He made these comments today during the online panel discussion “The Western Balkans and the Global Crisis – New Storms or Sunshine?” as part of the 2024 Balkan Integration Forum.
In his speech, Prime Minister Kurti said that the challenges facing the region are intertwined with the broader context of global political and geopolitical shifts.
Kurti emphasized that Serbia must accept the fact that the era of territorial expansion and ethnic divisions is over. He reaffirmed Kosovo’s commitment to good neighborly relations and regional cooperation, while continuing its efforts toward NATO and EU membership.
He added that Kosovo has recorded the fastest growth in democratic indicators in the region over the past three years, alongside significant economic growth, showing that democracy and economic development go hand in hand.
Other participants in the panel included Montenegro’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Filip Ivanović, Bosnia and Herzegovina Presidency member Željko Komšić, the EU Special Representative for the Dialogue Miroslav Lajčák, Member of the European Parliament Tonino Picula, and Slovenia’s Foreign Minister Tanja Fajon.
