Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti has declared that the government of Serbia, which has recently passed through a leadership change, should recognise Kosovo’s independence. He has also called for the handover of Milan Radojici for the attack on Banjska, while warning that Serbia’s close ties with Russia continue to pose a threat to Kosovo’s security.
In a speech to Paris School of International Affairs ( P SIA), Kurti said normalising relations with Serbia should include responsibility for the attack on Banjska.
This process should include responsibility for the terrorist attack in Banjska, starting with the handover of Milan Radojici, his leading architect so that he can face justice, Kurti said.
He also spoke of the recent change in leadership in Serbia, stressing that the Serbian government must accept Kosovo’s independence.
This should also be a process through which the government of Serbia, which has recently gone through a leadership change, comes to know the reality of the 20th century. XI: Kosovo is an independent state, recognised by over 120 states, Kurti said.
According to him, Serbia should also stop efforts against international recognition of Kosovo.
Serbia must abandon its aggressive campaign against our international recognition, including the instrumentising of Russia’s opposition to our membership in international organisations, he stressed.
Speaking of the security situation, the prime minister said Kosovo faces two risks — Russia’s fight against Ukraine and Serbia’s close ties with Russia.
Serbia remains Russia’s close ally, with policies continuing to pose a threat to our country’s security, Kurti said.
He said Russia has established a so-called humanitarian centre in Nis, about 160km from Pristina, which has raised concerns about possible intelligence activities.
Serbia maintains 48 military and gendarmerie bases for advanced operations along our border, while the Kremlin has established an office within Serbia’s Ministry of Defence, Kurti said.
The prime minister also mentioned the 2023 attack on Banjska, which he said was aimed at annexing northern Kosovo according to the Crimea model.
He stressed that Kosovo has significantly increased defence spending over the past four years, steadily exceeding 2 per cent of the Bruto Interior Production, while all military acquisitions have been made by NATO member states.
Speaking of international integration, Kurti said Kosovo faces three important issues: the European Union’s approach to the Western Balkans, normalisation of relations with Serbia, and recognition by the five EU states and the four NATO states that have not yet recognised its independence.
There can’t be a second Europe. No more periphery, he said.
Kurti said Kosovo has no alternative but integration into the European Union and NATO.
We see no alternative to the European Union and NATO, because we do not want any alternative to the European Union and NATO, the prime minister said.
In his speech, Kurti also spoke of Kosovo’s democratic and economic development, stressing that, according to the Swedish Institute V-Dem’s 2026 report, Kosovo ranks as the leading democracy in the Western Balkans.
He said average economic growth over the past five years has been above 4 percent and that, according to Gallup, Kosovo is the safest country in Europe to live and the third most secure country in the world.
Kurt also mentioned government social policies, including free higher education, support for mothers and families, increased public health budgets and farm subsidies.
He also spoke of the diaspora’s role in Kosovo’s economic development, stressing the importance of investments, entrepreneurship, distance work and exchange of knowledge.
According to him, technology-related services make up about 6 per cent of Kosovo’s economy, while the free trade agreement with the EFTA countries is expected to help further development of this sector.
In closing, Kurti stressed the importance of maintaining democratic values and responsibility during the exercise of power.
The values that bring you to politics matter. But so is what you do with these values when you are given the responsibility to put them into life, Kurt concluded.
Source Layer: RTKLive