Albanian PM sends draft CSM statute to Macron, Scholz

NEWS 08.06.202317:57
Ludovic MARIN / AFP

Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama said he has sent French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz a draft statute of the Community of Serb-majority Municipalities (CSM).

Rama told a media conference in the Albanian capital of Tirana that the draft statute was a result of work done by the world’s best legal experts, and that he expects it to take the Kosovo-Serbia dialogue to a new level.

The Albanian Prime Minster said the draft will never be made public.

“I hope this material will be useful, that it will take the dialogue to a new level and force the parties to talk about concrete things, things related to the successful conclusion of the dialogue, rather than them talking to themselves about themselves,” said Rama.

He explained that he has long known the CSM would be the Gordian Knot of the dialogue until the very end. He added he was certain that neither side wants the CSM and that they will do their best to stall things indefinitely, “broadening the crisis will all kinds of political and technical conditions.”

“I believe, more an more each day, that the formation of the Community is key to finally opening the door to the international affirmation of the Republic of Kosovo, its recognition by all, its seat in the United Nations and all international forums, and mutual recognition with Serbia,” stressed Rama.

He added that the draft is a confidential document, that he does not claim it is an ideal solution, but that “it is a document of the highest international level that takes into account all the reasons for the creation of the Community and keeps in view all recommendations of the Kosovo Constitutional Court.”

Asked if he has consulted with Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti or Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic on the draft statute, Rama said it was not his obligation to consult either side.