Albania Backs Kosovo Sovereignty

Albanian President Bamir Topi has called on Pristina and Belgrade to renew their EU-sponsored talks, stressing that Kosovo’s independence is irreversible.

Besar Likmeta

Tirana

President Bamir Topi during a visit in Kosovo | Photo courtesy of president.al

“Kosovo is a reality known worldwide, and its sovereignty is untouchable and cannot be turned back,” Topi said in a statement released by his office on Thursday.

The president was reacting to the latest flare-up in tensions as Pristina tries to assert control over its volatile north.

The northern part of the country, divided by the Ibar River and dominated by a majority population of ethnic Serbs, has defied Pristina’s authority since Kosovo declared independence in February, 2008.

On Tuesday, clashes erupted after Kosovo police special units tried to take control of two border checkpoints and enforce the recent embargo on Serb goods declared by Pristina.

On Wednesday, a mob of angry Serbs from the town of Mitrovica burned down the Jarinje border crossing, prompting intervention by KFOR troops, which have taken control of two border checkpoints between Serbia and Kosovo.

Serbia, which does not recognize Kosovo’s documents, has maintained an embargo on Kosovo exports for the past three years.

Negotiations sponsored by the EU have so far failed to find a solution to the trade dispute.