Rama: “With Haradinaj, just normal debate”

17/02/2018 15:48

The Albanian Prime Minister, Edi Rama, who is attending a visit in Prishtina for the independence celebrations, spoke on Top Channel about the relations between both countries and debates with his Kosovo counterpart.

Edi Rama: These 10 years have been full of achievements, challenges and problems. When there is a jubilee anniversary and you look back, it is certainly a day of joy because the situation now cannot be compared to 10 years ago.

Top Channel: Kosovo and Albania, could they have done more? Referring to the failure to join UNESCO for a few votes, which is a very tangible achievement.

There’s always room to do more. There are always reasons to think that something could have done better, but the important thing is that what was done is bigger than what wasn’t done.

Kosovo expects to fulfil its obligations for the border demarcation with Montenegro and receive visa-free travel maybe by the end of this year. Do you think it is time for this stalemate to be resolved?

These are the last moments of the stalemate and I wish that these hopes will turn into reality with a ratification vote in Parliament, to finally liberate Kosovo citizens from the horrible obstacle of not being able to move freely through Europe, but also to establish the state in a respectable position.

Did you clarify the situation with Prime Minister Haradinaj about your stance? The declaration you made in an interview, which was followed by a Facebook post? Later you had a dinner meeting and toasts. Did you overcome the stalemate?

We had already planned to have the dinner after the show. There was nothing to clarify. I have my conviction, he has his. There is no problem.

What was the first thing he told you when you entered the room?

There was no problem. I have no problem to be direct about what I say to others, and that’s why I have no problem with others being direct about what they say to me. It doesn’t matter what was said. What matters is what will be done. I hope that Ramush will do the right thing, and that’s it.

Thank you, Mr.Prime Minister.

Top Channel