Balkans: Albania, Kosovo, Serbia, EU
Darrell Smith
Military Veteran: Afghanistan, Albania, Germany, Iraq, Japan, Korea, Turkey
Prime Minister Edi Rama (99): Asked if he would take a union with Kosovo off the table, Rama said: “No, because the only way to keep the Balkans in this peaceful and cooperative mode … is to keep the path to the EU open, to keep the perspective clear, to keep emotions about the EU positive. No one would like to turn [in] on themselves and look for smaller unions, everyone would like to unite in the big union. But if there’s no hope, no perspective, no space, then, of course, little unions may happen.â€
Balkans War Possible (99): Many fear a union between Kosovo and Albania would trigger a new upheaval in the Balkans, which descended into war in the 1990s as Yugoslavia was torn apart. Bosnia and Macedonia would be especially vulnerable if borders were thought to be up for grabs once again. Rama said a union with Kosovo was not “my wish but a possible alternative to the closed door of the European Union.
Serbian Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic (98): said that the mooted unification between Albania and Kosovo “will remain only wishful thinking,†and called on the EU to react. “If I said that all Serbs should live in one state, I would be hanged from a flagpole in Brussels,†Vucic added.
US pledges support for Kosovo, European Union hopes (97) The U.S. embassy in Pristina has called on Kosovo's outgoing Cabinet to continue to "to serve Kosovo's citizens - all of them - who are their employers." A statement assured Kosovo that the U.S. will "continue in our steadfast support for Kosovo, its citizens, and its path to full Euro-Atlantic integration." Washington has continuously pressed Kosovo to pass a border demarcation deal with neighboring Montenegro which remains the last obstacle before the European Union accepts to let Kosovar citizens travel visa-free in its Schengen member countries.
(99) PM: union between Albania and Kosovo cannot be ruled out. https://www.politico.eu/article/albania-prime-minister-edi-rama-eu-faces-nightmare-if-balkans-denied/
(98) Serbia warns of new Balkan war if Albania unites with Kosovo. April 22, 2017. https://www.careerbuilder.com/jobseeker/postnewresume.aspx?gclid=CMLL65O76tMCFRJXDQod8uEKVQ
(97) US pledges support for Kosovo, European Union hopes Published May 10, 2017. https://www.foxnews.com/world/2017/05/10/us-pledges-support-for-kosovo-european-union-hopes.html
They will join once Europe Union collapse.
Military Veteran: Afghanistan, Albania, Germany, Iraq, Japan, Korea, Turkey
7 年NATO's role in Kosovo, 09 Mar. 2017. NATO has been leading a peace-support operation in Kosovo since June 1999 in support of wider international efforts to build peace and stability in the area. ?NATO has been leading a peace-support operation in Kosovo – the Kosovo Force (KFOR) – since June 1999. ?KFOR was established when NATO’s 78-day air campaign against Milosevic’s regime, aimed at putting an end to violence in Kosovo, was over. ?The operation derives its mandate from United Nations Security Council Resolution 1244 (1999) and the Military-Technical Agreement between NATO, the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia and Serbia. ?KFOR’s original objectives were to deter renewed hostilities, establish a secure environment and ensure public safety and order, demilitarize the Kosovo Liberation Army, support the international humanitarian effort and coordinate with the international civil presence. ?Today, KFOR continues to contribute towards maintaining a safe and secure environment in Kosovo and freedom of movement for all. ?NATO strongly supports the Belgrade-Pristina EU-brokered Normalisation Agreement (2013). https://www.nato.int/cps/en/natohq/topics_48818.htm
Military Veteran: Afghanistan, Albania, Germany, Iraq, Japan, Korea, Turkey
7 å¹´NATO Operations and missions: past and present , Last updated: 21 Dec. 2016. NATO is an active and leading contributor to peace and security on the international stage. It promotes democratic values and is committed to the peaceful resolution of disputes. However, if diplomatic efforts fail, it has the military capacity needed to undertake crisis management operations, alone or in cooperation with other countries and international organisations. https://www.nato.int/cps/en/natohq/topics_52060.htm
Military Veteran: Afghanistan, Albania, Germany, Iraq, Japan, Korea, Turkey
7 å¹´May 26, 2016. Delegation of the European Union to the United States. Click on our U.S. map to find the EU in the U.S.; locate your closest EU Center of Excellence, EU information center, Member State consulates, and more. Or visit our EU map to learn more about each of the 28 countries in the European Union. https://eeas.europa.eu/headquarters/headquarters-homepage/2339/united-states-america_en
Military Veteran: Afghanistan, Albania, Germany, Iraq, Japan, Korea, Turkey
7 å¹´Serbia and the EU. May 26, 2016. Relations between Serbia and the EU are published on the delegations' website. https://europa.rs/ and https://eeas.europa.eu/headquarters/headquarters-homepage/2328/serbia-and-eu_en