Albania–Kosovo relations
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Albanian–Kosovan relations are foreign relations between Albania and Kosovo. Albania has an embassy in Pristina and the Republic of Kosovo has an embassy in Tirana. There are 1.6 million Albanians living in Kosovo (92.9% of Kosovo's population) and Albanian is the official language of Kosovo.[1]
Before Kosovo's independence
In 1992, Albania was the only country whose parliament voted to recognise the Republic of Kosova, which had been proclaimed independent in 1991. Official support was limited to the declaration.
In 1994, when the Bosnian conflict escalated, Albania made a step back by recognising Yugoslavia's borders, which included Kosovo.[2]
After Kosovo's independence
When Kosovo declared its independence from Serbia on 17 February 2008, Albania became one of the first countries to officially announce its recognition of the sovereign Republic of Kosovo, which is recognised today by 110 out of 193 (57%) United Nations (UN) member states.
On 18 August 2009, Prime Minister Sali Berisha of Albania was quoted as saying, "There should be no customs administration between the two countries. We should by no means allow Albania and Kosovo to view each other as foreign countries". That outraged Serbia.[3]
The Albanian Foreign Ministry, in a clarification note to Serbia, said: "Albania considers the independent state of Kosova as a factor of peace and stability in the Balkan region, whereas its independence is considered as a clear step serving people, stability and European perspective of the region". It also said that the foreign policy of the Republic of Albania "is based on common objectives of Euro-Atlantic integration of the country, Republic of Kosova and entire region".[4]
Cultural relations
In October 2011, an agreement was reached between the Ministry of Culture of Kosovo and that of Albania on the common use of embassies and consulary services,[5] and in May 2012, a common primer for the 2012-13 academic year of first class students was approved by both governments.[6]
Economic relations
The Albanian Konfindustria threw first the idea of an Albanian regional market in 2008,[7] and the idea about a common economic space between Albania and Kosovo was discussed by Kosovo government officials in 2011.[8]
They were reinforced especially by Behgjet Pacolli in some of his speeches in Albania: he claimed that the economic union would increase competition towards the EU.[9] Pacolli's ideas were endorsed by the Party for Justice, Integration and Unity.[10]
See also
- Foreign relations of Albania
- Foreign relations of Kosovo
- Albania–Serbia relations
- Kosovo–Serbia relations
- Albanians in Kosovo
References
- ↑ - New Kosova Report - Birthate picks up again in Kosovo - Society
- ↑ Florian Bieber; Židas Daskalovski (1 April 2003). Understanding the War in Kosovo. Taylor & Francis. p. 83. ISBN 978-0-7146-8327-0. Retrieved 19 May 2012.
- ↑ Serbia formally protests Berisha's statement
- ↑ Albanian FM answers Serbia's protest note
- ↑ Albania-Kosovo agreement rekindles old suspicions
- ↑ Common Albanian, Kosovo primer presented
- ↑ Nisma per krijimin e tregut te hapur shqiptar dhe rajonal
- ↑ Kosovo, Albania may form “economic union”
- ↑ Pacolli: Bashkim ekonomik Kosovë-Shqipëri
- ↑ PDIU fton për bashkim ekonomik Shqipëri-Kosovë
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Note
Kosovo is the subject of a territorial dispute between the Republic of Kosovo and the Republic of Serbia. The Republic of Kosovo unilaterally declared independence on 17 February 2008, but Serbia continues to claim it as part of its own sovereign territory. The two governments began to normalise relations in 2013, as part of the Brussels Agreement. Kosovo has received recognition as an independent state from 110 out of 193 United Nations member states.