Kosovo’s Foreign Minister Donika Gërvalla has criticized Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama for his remarks at the United Nations regarding Kosovo. Gërvalla argued that Rama failed to adequately highlight the risks posed by Serbia to Kosovo and the broader region during his speech.

Why is this important: The criticism is yet another indicator of the ongoing rift between Kosovo and Albania’s leadership on foreign policy. 

Context: In her remarks, Gërvalla accused Rama that he “did not spend a single second informing the international community about the threat that Serbia poses to Kosovo and the region.” She made this statement while standing beside Kosovo’s Prime Minister, Albin Kurti. It should be noted that Rama was the only leader at the UN General Assembly to address the issue of Kosovo.

Gërvalla called on Albania to take a more active stance, noting, “We, as Albanians, who seek cooperation, must raise criticism when necessary and when we believe Albania can be more active.” She added that criticism should be constructive and without malice, stressing the importance of cooperation between Albania and Kosovo.

What did Rama say: During his speech at the UN, Rama unequivocally stated that Kosovo’s independence is an irreversible reality, describing the country as an integral part of the international community with a clear Euro-Atlantic future. He remarked, “Kosovo is already an inseparable part of international reality, an aspiring member of the Euro-Atlantic community.” Rama further called out the five EU member states that have yet to recognize Kosovo, urging them to do so in all international forums. He also dismissed any comparison between Kosovo and the Russian-occupied territories in Ukraine, stating that such parallels are misleading and only serve to distort the truth about Kosovo’s legitimacy.

In response to his critics, particularly those from Kosovo, Rama posted the speech on social media and quipped, “This is how a real traitor of Kosovo speaks”. 

What is it about: Gërvalla’s remarks reflect a broader frustration within Kosovo’s leadership regarding Albania’s foreign policy. Despite his firm support for Kosovo, Rama has often faced backlash from Kosovo politicians and analysts. His promotion of regional cooperation, even with former adversaries like Serbia, has drawn the ire of Pristina that remains critical of any approach that does not fully align with its own. 

Rama on the other hand has refused to follow Kosovo on its path of confrontation and unilateral actions, opting instead for a policy of cooperation and bridge-building in the Western Balkans. He has called for strategic thinking and has urged Kurti not to subordinate Kosovo’s foreign policy to his domestic political needs. The position has been praised by the European Union and the United States. However, it has predictably not been well-received by Kurti’s government, which has adopted a confrontational approach to Serbia, particularly in the stalled dialogue process and relations with the Serb minority in Kosovo. But as Kosovo faces growing isolation due to its strained relations with the West, the question remains whether a more cooperative strategy could better serve the country’s long-term interests and whether it has anything to gain from its acrimony towards Albania.