The President of the Republic of Albania, Bajram Begaj, in an interview for Radio Television of Kosovo, spoke about the situation in the north of Kosovo and the "Open Balkans" initiative.
President Begaj emphasized that Serbia does not promote peace, but acts as if it is neutral and promotes instability in the north of Kosovo.
The Head of State emphasized that Serbia should be taught a lesson that the signed agreements should be implemented.
"We should not analyze rhetoric about national issues. We are in the time of modernism. Violence will not be accepted under any circumstances. Violence brings misery. The messages will be clear to ensure that anyone who promotes violence will be punished. Serbia does not promote peace but is removed and looks like it is neutral but promotes instability in the north of Kosovo.
I think he should be taught a lesson that the signed agreements should be implemented. The right path is towards advancement with the mutual recognition of the two countries. We must be patient. We must fight to keep the peace. Peace has no price. Serbia knows very well what it means to open a new conflict front. The events in Ukraine should make us think twice in case of a new conflict", declared the Head of State.
Regarding the Open Balkans initiative, Begaj said that if it will be a comprehensive initiative with the participation of 6 countries, it should be supported.
"If the Open Balkans will be an initiative in the comprehensive plan and with the participation of 6 countries of the Western Balkans that will make possible the free exchange of goods, I say that it is very appropriate. I know that Kosovo and Albania have different positions on this matter, but this brings diversity", declared the President.
During his first visit to Kosovo, Begaj met with the heads of institutions and the heads of the opposition, with the exception of the leaders of the LDK.
LDK reacted publicly today to Begaj, saying that he refused to meet the chairman Lumir Abdixhiku at the party's headquarters, as he requested that this meeting take place in the Assembly of Kosovo.
Begaj, in the interview for RTK, said that after the invitation he made to the leaders of the LDK for a meeting in the Assembly, as with the leaders of other parties, he received a response that he was welcome in the building of the LDK, thus rejecting a meeting in the Assembly.
"I am the president of the Republic of Albania and I came to Kosovo to talk like a brother with a brother, like with my family. I wanted to hold these meetings in the political temple, which is the assembly of that country. My invitation was quite sincere to all political parties in the Assembly of the Republic of Kosovo. According to the response of the LDK sent to my staff, it was said that the President of the Republic of Albania is welcome in the building of the LDK", said Begaj.
Begaj said that he intended to meet all the leaders of the Albanian parties at one table, but according to him this was impossible, so he met them separately.
"The invitation was from our side, the meetings were predetermined. I came to Kosovo at the invitation of the President of the Republic of Kosovo. I wanted to meet the Albanian political parties united, at one table, I couldn't, I met them separately", declared Begaj.