TIRANA, Nov. 21 – Giving Albanian passports to Kosovo citizens is not a solution to Kosovo’s visa issues and would risk Albania’s own visa-free deal, Albanian President Ilir Meta said this week during a visit to Macedonia.
Meta made the comments in an interview for Radio Free Europe, where he spoke of Albania’s position and role in relation with its neighbours, the issuing of Albanian passports to Kosovo citizens as mentioned by President Thaà§i a few weeks ago and the use of the Albanian language in Macedonia, among other things.
In terms of Albania’s role in the region, Meta said he sees the country playing a positive role in the region by being committed in reinforcing neighbouring relations and standing strong by its European philosophy and preoccupation.
Asked about Thaà§i’s comment during their meeting a couple of weeks back, concerning the possibility to issue Albanian passports to Kosovo citizens, who still need a visa to travel to Europe, Meta said he considered Thaà§i’s comment more like a public appeal for a fast solution to this problem, rather than a real alternative that could help improve Kosovo’s situation.
“It not right for Kosovo’s citizens to continue to face an obstacle, but at the same time I believe that taking Albanian citizenship would not be a solution to facilitate their movement towards Schengen countries, because Albania itself is obliged to show constant care in respect of all the obligations stemming from the implementation of visa liberalization. So it would be a non-productive, non-rational move; not only it wouldn’t benefit the citizens of Kosovo, but could also harm those in Albania,” Meta said.
Meta was also asked about the incidents that took place in Kumanovà« and his declaration encouraging Macedonia to investigate and facilitate a transparent judicial process. He reaffirmed his stand, saying that he also appreciates the involvement of international actors in this judicial process as a factor that will guarantee heightened transparency and justice of European standards.
His visit, which happened to overlap with the Albanian Alphabet Day, brought the question of the Albanian language in Macedonian institutions into focus, now that Albanian is officially represented at the government.
“Representatives of the Albanian political force – not just those who are in government, but also the opposition – have guaranteed they will do their best to reach a maximum in this direction and I hope that it concludes with a legislation, which will bring a positive approach and a long-awaited result for the Albanians of Macedonia,” Meta said.
In this context, Meta concluded by expressing his assurance the Albanian political force will do its part to strengthen Macedonia’s European and NATO perspective, something to which all the country’s officials are committed.
