Albania’s PM Rama says Open Balkans will remove border with Kosovo

Rama’s Facebook post was his first reaction to criticism from Pristina following the signing of agreements in Skoplje by himself, his North Macedonia counterpart Zoran Zaev and Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic. Rama was called a traitor for agreeing to the plan originally called Mini Schengen. The Open Balkans initiative was criticized by both the ruling and opposition parties in Kosovo with accusations that Rama had sided with Serbia.

He said that Kosovo won the war thanks to an alliance with the US and European powers. “Without that alliance there would be no freedom, citizenship nor peace for the people of Kosovo,” he said, adding that the West is increasingly losing its patient with Pristina. He said that he would not give up the diplomatic battle for peace and the prosperity that Open Balkans will bring including recognition of Kosovo by Serbia.