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2 October, 2023
Edicion Special
  • Home
  • OP/ED

    The story of the Ulmas’ martyrdom should be known worldwide

    Triangulation of Eurasia: The North-South Corridor Underreported but pivotal for Our Common Future

    Loose lips sink morale

    Albania and Kosovo: the Leaders, the People, the Narrative

    Offensive defence: How Putin saved NATO

    A decade of Croatian EU membership: Success story of enlargement in the Western Balkans

    Elvin Luku: Fragile democracy in Albania

    French Jean-Dominique Giuliani, President of the Robert Schuman Fondation (a think tank on Europe) speaks during a meeting entitled "Eurozone, what a future" organized by his foundation and dedicated to euro, in Paris on July 18, 2014. 
AFP PHOTO/MIGUEL MEDINA        (Photo credit should read MIGUEL MEDINA/AFP/Getty Images)

    Europe is awake, united and more valuable than ever before

    China offers alternatives for modernization

  • Interview

    Exclusive/ The Russian Ambassador to Albania Mr. Mikhail Afanasiev: Russia only aims to end that war started by the West in Ukraine

    Exclusive/ Skopje’s top diplomat to Tirana, Dancho Markovski: OSCE Chairmanship a Project of National Importance for North Macedonia

    Exclusive interview of Croatian Ambassador Zlatko Kramaric: ‘There is progress in Croatian-Albanian relations, but it is still not enough’  

    The first anniversary of the appointment as Archbishop at the head of the Catholic Church/ Mons. Arjan Dodaj: Only God can be the author of our walk!

    Azerbaijan’s Ambassador Anar Huseynov: President Aliyev’s visit to Albania opened a new page in our relations through the specific accords reached

    Macedonian Interior Minister Oliver Spasovski: Open Balkans and Berlin Process are complementary processes for progress of cooperation among WB countries

    Exclusive/ China’s Ambassador to Albania Mr. Zhou Ding: China and Albania must look towards history to build the future!

    Appeal of Ukrainian Ambassador to Albania Shkurov for maximum support of Ukraine with weapons six months after Russian occupation

    Zoran Djukanovic: “The Montenegrin minority in Albania and the Albanian minority in Montenegro to be bridges of communication of our two countries”

  • Realpolitik
    European Council President Charles MICHEL, receives Thierry Breton, European Commissioner for Internal Market.  Brussels the 12/01/2021.
Le President du Conseil Europeen, Charles MICHEL, recoit Thierry Breton, Commissaire Europeen chargé du marché interieur. .  Bruxelles le 12/01/2021.,Image: 590631817, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: , Model Release: no, Credit line: Profimedia

    For a new paradigm by the EU and the USA for Kosovo and Serbia after the terrorist attack by serb bands on 24 september.

    Pacifying without reconciliation! Kurti’s autogoal! Between G – 7 and BRICS 11! The Balkans summer theatre continues! A speech for campaign 2024! A prewarned failure!                             

    Marriage spoiled for a lemon! The missed dinner! Sphinx and challenge for the West! Summer theatre in Bled!

    Peace as wishful thinking! Change the course! Brussels bells toll for Tirana!  Beleri between Tirana, Brussels and Athens! Compare the incomparables!  

    A cold shower! Change the tune! Partnership or vassalage? Euro-Atlantist Meloni!

    Open Balkans closed! A failed tour! Right is might! The NATO Ukrainian dilema!

    Balkan’s summer theatre started! China’s and India’s Megachallenge! SOS from Brussels! Support, Sanctions and statements!  

    No “ carrot” for Belgrade and “ stick” for Pristine! An unnecessary draft! Nor did Gjakova unite us!

    G-7 with 5 major messages! Erdoganist Turkey! A historic victory postponned! Much ado about nothing!  

  • Current Events

    Serbia attempted to annex the north of Kosovo, the attackers were trained in Serbian bases, the Kosovo interior minister reveals

    turqi

    Albania condemns terrorist attack in Ankara as PM Rama says Europe should support Turkey more in its fight against terrorism

    Kosovo needs to protect its northern border, increasing cooperation with NATO’s presence and KFOR in the North, says PM Kurti

    ODIHR releases final report on observation mission of Albania’s 2023 local elections

    President Begaj conveys condolences for the passing away of Father Arthur Liolin in Boston

    Albania’s PM argues with Kosovo authorities, reiterating support for his proposal on the control of the north by KFOR

    The trial session for Gërdec is postponed as the former Defense Minister insists on 91 witnesses

    NATO authorizes additional forces for Kosovo

    Assembly of Kosovo approves unanimously Resolution, condemning the Serb terrorist attack on the police

  • Top News

    What Serbia is not achieving through dialogue, it wants to achieve through terrorist attacks, says FP’s Vasili

    Powerful explosion in Ankara near Parliament and other government institutions; outlawed PKK claims responsibility of the attack

    US Embassy in Tirana calls on Albanian prosecutors to apply for 3 vacancies in SPAK

    Attack of the Serbian armed group in North Kosovo was a ‘true military attack’, said Albania’s former Interior Minister

    Germany says it is irritating when Vucic declares the culprits as the victims…

    SPAK is making progress in Albania’s objectives for justice reform, says the US Embassy

    PM Rama urges the EU to condemn Serbia’s declaration of mourning

    Declaration of mourning by Serbia fuels armed conflict threat; EU and US should raise democratic alarm, Albania’s government head said

    Special Court announces sentences for former minister Lefter Koka and his accomplices over Fier incinerator

  • YOUR VOICE
  • ShqipShqip
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Argumentum
  • Home
  • OP/ED

    The story of the Ulmas’ martyrdom should be known worldwide

    Triangulation of Eurasia: The North-South Corridor Underreported but pivotal for Our Common Future

    Loose lips sink morale

    Albania and Kosovo: the Leaders, the People, the Narrative

    Offensive defence: How Putin saved NATO

    A decade of Croatian EU membership: Success story of enlargement in the Western Balkans

    Elvin Luku: Fragile democracy in Albania

    French Jean-Dominique Giuliani, President of the Robert Schuman Fondation (a think tank on Europe) speaks during a meeting entitled "Eurozone, what a future" organized by his foundation and dedicated to euro, in Paris on July 18, 2014. 
AFP PHOTO/MIGUEL MEDINA        (Photo credit should read MIGUEL MEDINA/AFP/Getty Images)

    Europe is awake, united and more valuable than ever before

    China offers alternatives for modernization

  • Interview

    Exclusive/ The Russian Ambassador to Albania Mr. Mikhail Afanasiev: Russia only aims to end that war started by the West in Ukraine

    Exclusive/ Skopje’s top diplomat to Tirana, Dancho Markovski: OSCE Chairmanship a Project of National Importance for North Macedonia

    Exclusive interview of Croatian Ambassador Zlatko Kramaric: ‘There is progress in Croatian-Albanian relations, but it is still not enough’  

    The first anniversary of the appointment as Archbishop at the head of the Catholic Church/ Mons. Arjan Dodaj: Only God can be the author of our walk!

    Azerbaijan’s Ambassador Anar Huseynov: President Aliyev’s visit to Albania opened a new page in our relations through the specific accords reached

    Macedonian Interior Minister Oliver Spasovski: Open Balkans and Berlin Process are complementary processes for progress of cooperation among WB countries

    Exclusive/ China’s Ambassador to Albania Mr. Zhou Ding: China and Albania must look towards history to build the future!

    Appeal of Ukrainian Ambassador to Albania Shkurov for maximum support of Ukraine with weapons six months after Russian occupation

    Zoran Djukanovic: “The Montenegrin minority in Albania and the Albanian minority in Montenegro to be bridges of communication of our two countries”

  • Realpolitik
    European Council President Charles MICHEL, receives Thierry Breton, European Commissioner for Internal Market.  Brussels the 12/01/2021.
Le President du Conseil Europeen, Charles MICHEL, recoit Thierry Breton, Commissaire Europeen chargé du marché interieur. .  Bruxelles le 12/01/2021.,Image: 590631817, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: , Model Release: no, Credit line: Profimedia

    For a new paradigm by the EU and the USA for Kosovo and Serbia after the terrorist attack by serb bands on 24 september.

    Pacifying without reconciliation! Kurti’s autogoal! Between G – 7 and BRICS 11! The Balkans summer theatre continues! A speech for campaign 2024! A prewarned failure!                             

    Marriage spoiled for a lemon! The missed dinner! Sphinx and challenge for the West! Summer theatre in Bled!

    Peace as wishful thinking! Change the course! Brussels bells toll for Tirana!  Beleri between Tirana, Brussels and Athens! Compare the incomparables!  

    A cold shower! Change the tune! Partnership or vassalage? Euro-Atlantist Meloni!

    Open Balkans closed! A failed tour! Right is might! The NATO Ukrainian dilema!

    Balkan’s summer theatre started! China’s and India’s Megachallenge! SOS from Brussels! Support, Sanctions and statements!  

    No “ carrot” for Belgrade and “ stick” for Pristine! An unnecessary draft! Nor did Gjakova unite us!

    G-7 with 5 major messages! Erdoganist Turkey! A historic victory postponned! Much ado about nothing!  

  • Current Events

    Serbia attempted to annex the north of Kosovo, the attackers were trained in Serbian bases, the Kosovo interior minister reveals

    turqi

    Albania condemns terrorist attack in Ankara as PM Rama says Europe should support Turkey more in its fight against terrorism

    Kosovo needs to protect its northern border, increasing cooperation with NATO’s presence and KFOR in the North, says PM Kurti

    ODIHR releases final report on observation mission of Albania’s 2023 local elections

    President Begaj conveys condolences for the passing away of Father Arthur Liolin in Boston

    Albania’s PM argues with Kosovo authorities, reiterating support for his proposal on the control of the north by KFOR

    The trial session for Gërdec is postponed as the former Defense Minister insists on 91 witnesses

    NATO authorizes additional forces for Kosovo

    Assembly of Kosovo approves unanimously Resolution, condemning the Serb terrorist attack on the police

  • Top News

    What Serbia is not achieving through dialogue, it wants to achieve through terrorist attacks, says FP’s Vasili

    Powerful explosion in Ankara near Parliament and other government institutions; outlawed PKK claims responsibility of the attack

    US Embassy in Tirana calls on Albanian prosecutors to apply for 3 vacancies in SPAK

    Attack of the Serbian armed group in North Kosovo was a ‘true military attack’, said Albania’s former Interior Minister

    Germany says it is irritating when Vucic declares the culprits as the victims…

    SPAK is making progress in Albania’s objectives for justice reform, says the US Embassy

    PM Rama urges the EU to condemn Serbia’s declaration of mourning

    Declaration of mourning by Serbia fuels armed conflict threat; EU and US should raise democratic alarm, Albania’s government head said

    Special Court announces sentences for former minister Lefter Koka and his accomplices over Fier incinerator

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Home ENGLISH

Alessandro Politi: Belgrade-Pristina dialogue one of the pillars for a sustainable Western Balkans

12 December, 2019
in ENGLISH, Interview
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What’s the role of Russia in the Western Balkans? Is Serbia’s neutrality sustainable? What does the newly-formed Kosovo Army mean for the security of the region, and what does North Macedonia’s membership mean to the Alliance? We interviewed Alessandro Politi, NATO Defense College Foundation Director, to find out more about these questions.

European Western Balkans: Recently, the U.S. Department of Defense released a report assessing the Western Balkans as the environment most vulnerable to Russian influence. Just some weeks ago, the Serbian public has been shocked by a spy affair involving a former Russian diplomat. How do you see Russia’s role in the Balkans?

Alessandro Politi: I have not seen the report (it does not seem to be published online), but Russian influence is unfortunately much more insidious and effective in some Western countries than in the Balkans. As analogous vast intelligence collection operations have proven in other countries, spying against one’s own ally does not seem a taboo. No further politically relevant development has followed the publication of the meeting between a Russian officer and an anonymous Serbian one.

Evidently Russia is carrying out a rearguard action in the region, but for the moment with modest strategic results, since Montenegro entered NATO and North Macedonia might soon. Spies, diplomats, propaganda are largely Cold War instruments, while I believe and warn since 2017 that the new frontier of Russian influence is the grey area between business and politics. Unfortunately, this is shown very clearly through different political, business, influence peddling and money laundering scandals.

Some niets to further integration of the region might do more damage than Moscow could dream about.

EWB: Taking into account all of these circumstances, is Serbia’s military neutrality possible? Are Serbia and the region less secure?

AP: Since the Nineteenth century, Serbia has had remarkable relations with Russia, but always at arm’s length, as Ilija Garašanin’s secret memorandum (Načertanije) and the subsequent political orientation of Tito showed very clearly.

Serbia is opportunistically trying to get the best possible deal from both sides but knows that only Europe can rescue its very shaky economy. Unless European leaders do not make serious mistakes, Serbia will enter the European Union with the other regional partners.

As for the neutrality issue, NATO has several neutral partners and sometimes even countries in a rather Russian orbit, without any problem also at the operational level. In fact, NATO’s official position is that it is up to Belgrade to choose its own status.

EWB: During your career, you were quite involved in Kosovo. Can you tell us the importance of the Belgrade-Pristina dialogue for the regional security and how do you see the outcome?

AP: The importance of the Belgrade-Pristina Dialogue goes well beyond security: it is one of the pillars for a sustainable Western Balkan region. One should be very clear that this is not a fad of the international community, but it is a vital interest of the people and the governments of the area: no integration, no viable economies, more depopulation and emigration from already demographically fragile countries.

There are elite sectors in both capitals that exploit nationalist slogans to continue their own business as usual at the expense of impoverished populations. This will and is backfiring, provided that European leaders lead the integration process seriously.

I am confident in the outcome, but I would like to be reassured on timings.

EWB: The Chief of General Staff of the Serbian Armed Forces, General Milan Mojsilović, said at the Seventh NATO Week that Serbia is concerned about the initiative to transform Kosovo Security Force (KSF) into armed forces, and that NATO’s position on the issue was not clear to him. What’s your opinion about this initiative and how does NATO perceive it?

AP: NATO is very clear on this issue: enhanced dialogue is possible only with the Kosovo Security Force because some countries have no political appetite (and for solid reasons) in stirring divisive debates also in their own turf. Some countries do not care, but risk to be drawn into local quagmires instead of reducing their external commitments.

The political reasons why some politicians in Pristina want a Kosovo Armed Force are obvious, but they seem tenuously connected to a credible national security guarantee. KFOR is the guarantee until both sides close the dossier. It would be much more productive to continue minority recruitment in the KSF and to answer to the political demands of the Serb Kosovar citizens in a way that increases Pristina’s soft influence in these municipalities, instead of polarising public opinions.

EWB: When Montenegro joined the Alliance, there was considerable doubt as to how much such “small” country could contribute to the Alliance. We now have a situation where somewhat “larger” North Macedonia is close to joining. So, how does the accession of North Macedonia improve the security of NATO and the Western Balkans region?

AP: Frankly, in an Alliance that is based on a serious political covenant and on shared fundamental values, the “size” of a country was not and is not an object. NATO has countries from different “sizes”, but each capital can and wants to give a unique contribution that turns out to be very important in specific situations.

I have seen small countries giving invaluable support with their special forces or with new sanitary structures, both badly needed.  I have also seen allies shouldering very heavy political and operational burdens in serious crises, despite their low defence/GDP contribution. When money is an object, trust fades away and everybody is more alone and vulnerable.

Montenegro and North Macedonia are already capable to contribute with their distinct experience and knowledge to KFOR in a very concrete way.

EWB: What are your expectations NATO Leaders Meeting and what can the Western Balkan countries expect?

AP: Democracies are facing serious internal political weaknesses that are undermining the cohesion of the Alliance much more than any foreign power conspiracy. This translates in the risk of lower collective credibility and to this challenge all leaders should rise with deeds and responsible behaviour. There are reasonable chances that a communique will facilitate the evolution of a functional Alliance./EWB

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