The Diaspora for a Free Albania has sent an open letter to Prime Minister Edi Rama, regarding the initiative undertaken by him together with Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic and Macedonian Prime Minister Zoran Zaev, “Open Balkans”. The Diaspora in its letter have expressed their concern about the agreement with the “Open Balkans”, and have asked Rama to make public the documents of this agreement.
The letter states that the EU integration process and this initiative between these countries are inconsistent with each other, and that this initiative must be in line with the framework for EU membership.
The Diaspora Movement in its letter has suggested that this agreement be suspended until the new legislature is created, and added that Rama’s statements about the EU and Kosovo are unacceptable.
This letter was also sent to the President Ilir Meta, the Chairman of the Democratic Party Lulzim Basha and the Speaker of the Assembly Gramoz Ruçi.
Full Letter:
The Diaspora for a Free Albania addressed today to the Prime Minister of the country, Mr. Edi Rama with the following letter about the “Open Balkan” initiative
This letter was also sent for information:
– The President of the Republic Mr. Ilir Meta
– Chairman of the Democratic Party, Mr. Lulzim Basha
– Mr. Gramoz Ruci as Speaker of the Assembly since the new Legislature has not yet convened.
Statement on the initiative called “Open Balkans”
The “Diaspora for a Free Albania” movement is following with special attention and interest the developments related to the agreement signed on 29.07.2021 between Albania, Serbia and Northern Macedonia.
Aware of the benefits of regional integration and the free movement of people, which have a positive impact on regional cooperation, creating stability and contributing to peace in the region, we welcome any efforts made in this direction.
However, the Movement:
– notes with concern the possibility of a mismatch between the integration process and this initiative of the three countries and stresses the need to include this integration within the policy framework for membership in the European Union.
– expresses concern about the lack of transparency of the ‘Open Balkans’ agreement and calls for the immediate publication of the documents of this agreement.
– seeks clarification in the Albanian Parliament of the unacceptable statements of Prime Minister Edi Rama regarding our European partners and above all about our sisters and brothers in Kosovo.
– insists on suspending the implementation of the agreement until
at the beginning of the new legislature of the Albanian Parliament and for the resumption of a detailed discussion of the agreement in it.
Consequently, the Movement proposes:
– giving priority to economic, social, and political integration of the Albanian factor in the region as one of the main pillars of the policies of the Albanian government. Albania’s insistence on joining such an agreement, without Kosovo, could have negative consequences for Kosovo’s economic and political path.
– close coordination between official Tirana and Pristina in the field of diplomacy, economy, and culture, and following with concrete and applicable steps resulting from these coordinations.
– unconditional support of the state of Kosovo in regional and international forums, to ensure increased and lasting and irreversible recognition of the state of Kosovo.
To enable the above points, the Movement looks at the vital and proposes:
Submission of any regional and international agreement affecting the all-Albanian interests in the region, to a high-level, joint, permanent commission for Albanian issues in the region between Kosovo and Albania, with the participation as observer and advisory party, of representatives of political forces Albanians in Montenegro, Serbia, and Northern Macedonia.
With respect
Presidency of the Diaspora For a Free Albania