President Bajram Begaj has called on all Albanian diplomats to prioritize unconditional support for Kosovo in their diplomatic agendas abroad. 

Why is this important

Kosovo declared its independence in February 2008, and its recognition by additional countries remains a key foreign policy goal for Albania, particularly given the presence of a large Albanian ethnic population in Kosovo. The President’s request reflects not just Albania’s commitment to increasing international recognition for Kosovo, but also its concern with the current state of affairs given the fact that 10 out of 114 countries that initially recognized Kosovo’s independence have since withdrawn their recognition.

Context

On Tuesday, President Begaj met with Albanian ambassadors and consuls gathered in Tirana for the Diplo 2024 Conference of Ambassadors. He emphasized the need for Albanian diplomacy to remain actively engaged with Kosovo and not merely treat it as a recurring talking point. “Kosovo should be an integral part of our diplomatic action. Our diplomacy must continue to offer unconditional support for Kosovo, wherever and whenever needed. It is our duty to work towards Kosovo’s membership in international and regional organizations, as well as to secure new recognitions,” President Begaj stated.

President Begaj highlighted the fact that Albania’s international standing has been bolstered by its active contributions, including its successful presidency of the OSCE in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic, and its two-year term as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council coinciding with the onset of the Ukraine conflict. During this period, Albania collaborated closely with the US on peace and security issues related to Ukraine, reflecting the maturation of Albania’s foreign policy, according to President Begaj.