On Monday 3 July the Albanian Prime Minister, Edi Rama, called on his Kosovar counterpart, Albin Kurti, to accept the plan proposed at the end of 2022 by France and Germany to end tensions between Belgrade and Pristina (see EUROPE 13213/4).
Among other things, the plan calls for the two countries to develop “normal and good neighbourly relations, based on equal rights” and for “each to act with mutual respect for the jurisdiction of each party”.
“Understand that it is time to embrace the Euro-Atlantic community. Understand that it’s time to claim the victory that you have on the table and that you don’t see”, Mr Rama told Mr Kurti in an interview with Euronews.
The Albanian Prime Minister’s appeal comes as violence, tension and provocation have continued in northern Kosovo since 26 May, when Albanian mayors elected in four Serb-majority municipalities took office (see EUROPE 13190/20).
On 27 June, the Commission announced, through the Director-General for Enlargement, Gert Jan Koopman, that measures would be taken against Pristina, including the suspension of the scheduling of funds for Kosovo and the cancellation of high-level visits and events (see EUROPE 13211/4).
In the wake of this announcement, Mr Kurti described the measures announced as “regrettable” and “unfair”. (Original version in French by Thomas Mangin)