Better security cooperation is crucial for improvement of Serbian-Albanian relations

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In spite of the recent incident on the football match between Serbia and Albania, and the subsequent negative developments, there is room for the improvement of the security cooperation, especially if we learn from the past mistakes, it was concluded during the conference.

BCSP Director Sonja Stojanovic Gajic pointed out that security could be the entry point for improving cooperation between the three, since we are all faced with the same security challenges, such as organized crime and right-wing extremism.

Shpend Kursani from the Kosovar Centre for Security Studies argued that normalization between Belgrade and Pristina should not be reserved for high politics, but have to take place at all levels of the two societies. Arjan Dyrmishi, Head of Center for European and Security Affairs (IDM), said that cooperation between security institutions of Serbia, Kosovo and Albania do exist, but it is insufficient and mostly informal due to nationalist agendas.

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During the event, it was also discussed the EU prospective of Serbia, Albania and Kosovo, as well as the transformative power of the EU. Dusan Janjic, political analyst, pointed out that Berlin Conference marked a new chapter in Serbian-Albanian relations, focusing on investments and cooperation. Prof. Paskal Milo, Former Albanian Minister of Foreign Affairs blamed nationalism for the bad state of Serbian-Albanian relations. In his view, Serbian-Albanian relations are trapped between (Serbian) Albano-phobia and (Albanian) Albano-centrism. Therefore, as Milo suggested, countries of the region have to move away from the nationalist past, and political elites should play crucial role in this transformation. Sokol Dervishaj, Deputy Foreign Minister of Albania,insisted that the EU is not completewithout the Western Balkans, but argued that small Balkan states have to cooperate and act jointly in order to be attractive for the EU.

During the event, foreign diplomats and representatives of the Albanian authorities stressed the importance of good neighborly relations and regional cooperation, as the only way for developing full potential of the Western Balkan countries. They also pointed out that the EU is primarily a peace project, and a good example of how former adversaries can become the closest allies.