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REAL POLITIK FLASH NO. 87
1 – 17 MAY 2025
With “ flash” comments on 4 major events in only 1000 words by the prominent analyst,
DR. JORGJI KOTE
Grand Master in Diplomacy
1.That’s it! We refer here to the latest stances by President Trump on foreign policy issues. After the hasty steps and ultimatums in his early days, now he is looking before he leaps, embracing the normal flow of affairs. He has realized that in geopolitics things are not solved as in bussiness, neither with the holy spirit nor with a stroke of the baton. Prudence is required, consultations with allies, well-thought and well-coordinated strategies need to be drafted a nd implemented. In more concrete terms, during the last two weeks, USA signed trade agreements with the UK and China; Trump visited three Golf states and signed multi- billion deals there under his moto “ Business instead of chaos”; likewise, he stepped up his pressure over Putin to be engaged for peace; he also sent Secretary of State Rubio in Istanbul for talks on possible Turkey-brokered peace in Ukraine; Rubio also maintains contacts with his European counterparts. Meawhile, Vice President Vance stated that we are in the same team with Europe and softened his previous sharp tones stressing that they share the same principles. Hence, one could say with full voice “ Thats it!”
2.The quartet of hope! On 10 May, Macron, Merz, Starmer and Tusk went to Kyev in a grand show of solidarity, where they met President Zelensky. They reconfirmed their resolute support for Ukraine and their contribution in establishing and safeguarding peace there. This important visit by such a major European quartet was welcomed by all and it had a wide-reaching echo. As the main media outlets of these countries and beyond affirm, thanks to its much – expected messages, this visit revived expectations on Europe, especially on the EU Franco-German engine and to UK and Poland, two states with a powerful defence system. Likewise, Chancellor Merz phone conversation from Kyev with President Trump was very encouraging for the truce and peace process in Ukraine; this was clearly shown also in their agreement for a 30 day long cease-fire and the peace talks in Istanbul on 16 May. Therefore, it is quite correct to praise this major quartet of the new major European hope.
3.Shame on Prishtina!
We say this with regret for the policy-makers in Pristina, which even after 17 voting rounds, 100 days after the parliamentary elections have failed to elect the new Speaker. Meanwhile, it is demanding persistently its membership to the Council of Europe and the EU candidate status, since it has complied with the relevant requirements. Although they are meaningless in the cace of such a spectacular failure. When Berlin held the premature elections two weeks after Kosovo, but it elected the new speaker and the coalition government in a record time of only 75 dates! While time does not wait for Europe, for Kosovo it strangely waits!
The whole political class there is to blame for this great failure, but particularly the government and PM Kurti. Due to their “mule-like stances,” either Albulena or we die” it is not showing any European spirit, with concesions and compromises. Now, despite all respect for Mme Minister Albulena Haxhiu, when, rightly or wrongly the opposition do not want a certain candidate and her in this case, then one should not persist on her. There have been others like her, may even better who have also failed in this respect; yet, this is not the end of the world. This is democracy – consensus. Therefore, it is high time that politics in Pristina reflect rapidly, come together and find a solution to this major institutional and parliamentary crisis; it is very detrimental, both domestically, and most specifically for its image and reliability abroad.
4. The Summit of a Community without Identity! On 16 May, Tirana hosted successfully the 6th Summit of the Politial European Community ( EPC) with the presence of 54 leaders from Europe, the EU, NATO and OSCE. It was undoubtedly an important event for the politics, diplomacy and the image of our country, for which the government and Prime Minister Rama deserve the best congratulations.
However, the echo of this Summit and this Community established in June 2022 by French President Macron was not expected to be greater. This is also due to the very poor EPC balance: only 5 summits in Prague, Kisinay, Alhambra ( Spain) London, Budapest and now in Tirana.
Its summits, as the only sign of its life are mainly characterized by free informal discussions, 3 – 4 round tables and panels on the worrying themes of the time.
Besides them in pleasant settings, the European leaders have also the chance to visit tourist attractions and to enjoy special beverages and culinary delicacies and then “ talk and eating”.
This occurs since the EPC catalogue, totally different from the Council of Europe, OSCE, NATO or even reginal groupings has plenty of “ NO-s” – ”NO” address, NO seat, NO Secretariat, NO steering structure, NO agenda, NO program and NO plan, NO decisions, NO opposition, NO Press statesments, NO other ministerial or expert formats. There is only “ soft and charm diplomacy’” there, so that all could feel at home, not be insulted or worried, just as in a “ a strategic intimacy” as President Macron has characterized the EPC.
However, this is a grave concern since this Pan European forum cannot continue to function simply as diplomatic decoration. Otherwise, as many political and media experts say, it would be reduced to a symbolic decorative forum, in a certain non-governmental organization, as a platform “without backbone”, results and even worse without a creditability!
However, EPC itself and those who are in there do not know what to do and under which “umbrella” to stay; because all roads and paths, all the geopolitical and democratic space and themes have been occupied long ago from the EU, NATO, Council of Europe, OSCE and others. Par consequence, in an international political “stadium” it will be forced to be “ on standing” or “ in the opposite” but not in the VIP tribune.
Nevertheless, Tirana Summit public echo was larger in geopolitical terms, due to the escalation of situation between Russia and Ukraine. While internally, due to the immense interest after the landsliding victory of Edi Rama’s Socialist Party in the 11 May elections, including the protest of the opposition that does not recognize their results.
© 2025 Argumentum
