KORà‡à‹, Nov. 27 – High-ranking state representatives of both Kosovo and Albania gathered in Korà§a and Vlora during Albania’s independence festivities, to sign cooperation agreements and memorandums that will serve both countries’ economic and political strategic interests.
Among them were cooperation memorandums for environmental protection, cultural cooperation and diaspora involvement.
The first gathering, held in Korà§a, finalized the signing of the first twelve agreements, which were discussed in detail during the meeting of Prime Minister Edi Rama and Kosovo counterpart Ramush Haradinaj.
“This gathering speaks for itself of a balance of great achievements and important commitments, based on what we’ve done so far. We have taken these commitments upon our shoulders rest assured that there is much more to be done and that the opportunities are there. Practically, since the first meeting in Prizren, we have enriched this context of cooperation with some important elements,” Rama said during the press conference that followed the two prime ministers’ meeting.
Rama also publicly addressed the fact these meetings can be interpreted as provocations towards and in Serbia.
“Gatherings are not provocations, but meetings aiming to better the work we have already done and the work that we can still do in the future. They are well-defined steps towards a common strategic direction. Regardless of being separated into two nations, the Albanian world is one,” Rama said.
The ministers of the Rama and Haradinaj cabinets also signed a technical protocol between the two Ministries of Agriculture for the bilateral recognition of veterinary certificates for animal and non-animal products between the countries amid a number of memorandums aiming to ease trade between the countries.
They also agreed on the recognition of social contributions and on the cooperation between the two countries’ Ministries of Foreign Affairs in the common context of European Integration.
Rama was also asked for a statement regarding the issuing of Albanian passports to Kosovo citizens in order to help them with free movement in Europe, a suggestion given a few weeks ago by Kosovo President Hashim Thaà§i during a meeting with his Albanian counterpart, Ilir Meta.
Meta’s response to his suggestion was that issuing passports would be a counterproductive move for both Kosovo and Albania, which still needs to be careful with its visa-free movement in Europe. Concerning this subject, Rama agreed with Meta and, keeping his statement brief, said he had nothing more to add to the discussion.
Haradinaj, who said that Korà§a is a meaningful location for the finalization of the 12 agreements as a center of Albanian patriotism and learning, also highlighted the intensive work being done to further simplify border crossing between the two countries.
“We also have a protocol for border crossing, which entirely simplifies crossing and we are working on customs unification. Kosovo is still behind on this process, nevertheless we are working on it,” Haradinaj said.
