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Improvement of Serbian-Albanian relations contributes to the stability of the Western Balkans
Engagement in dialogue between Belgrade, Pristina and Tirana significantly improves cooperation, but a shared vision of the common future is needed in order to improve the lives of the citizens of all three communities - this was conclusion of the ninth and final meeting of the Security Research Forum.
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The key for the stabilization of the Western Balkans lies in improvement of Serbian-Albanian relations, as well as clearly set up goals of cooperation between Serbia, Albania and Kosovo in regards to security, legal and economic policies, it was emphasized at discussion “The Future(s) of Security Normalization between Belgrade, Pristina and Tirana” held on 9 July 2015 at the Media Center in Belgrade.
Main results of the regional project that has been conducted in the past three years by Belgrade Centre for Security Policy (BCSP), Kosovar Centre for Security Studies (KCSS) and the Institute for Democracy and Mediation (IDM), with the support of the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, were presented at the conference.
She noted that it is encouraging that people's attitude about future relations in the triangle Belgrade-Pristina-Tirana was mainly positive and indicated that there is plenty of room for improving cooperation in the security and legal issues, as well as mutual support in order to create a stable region.
“When politicians talk about shared vision it contributes to the normalization of Serbian-Albanian relations, but what is not helpful is summarizing who won or lost in held talks. It is evident that economic relations lead to normalization, but it is necessary to improve judicial and security cooperation. Brussels dialogue has led to some concrete solutions that yet have to come into effect in practice,” said the BCSP Director.
Cooperation is essential for improving the quality of life of citizens
{image2}The main idea of the intensification of dialogue and cooperation between the three communities is to improve the conditions for the people living there, especially of those living in the northern Kosovo, said researcher of KCSS Shpend Kursani. He also noticed that the dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina has improved and that the meeting between prime ministers of Albania and Serbia has a positive indications for Kosovo as well. Answering the question what would be good for normalization of relations, Kursani said that the people from Kosovo think that the best solution would be the recognition of Kosovo independence.
It is crucial for citizens of these three communities to define the legal framework in criminal and civil matters, as well as those regarding legal and security issues. By this, it is necessary to implement the bilateral conventions which would regulate the exchange, especially between Serbia and Albania.
The importance of non EU dependent cooperation
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Serbia and Albania are in the first phase of improving relations, for instance Serbia believes that borders with Albania, Albania doesn't, said Kursani. He also said that Kosovo would not want to be under anyone's patronage, including Albanian. According to Kursani, representatives of Serbia, Kosovo and Albania should set towards the European Union with a common proposals such as, requesting the opening up of EU borders to migrant workers, having in mind that EU is the biggest exporter in the Western Balkans region.
Participants of the conference agreed that cooperation between Belgrade and Pristina and Tirana should deepen and be more independent of the pressures of European Union, because it is of crucial importance for the security and stability of the region.
Arjan Dyrmishi from Institute for Democracy and Mediation in Tirana said that, before the initiation of Security Research Forum, a concrete dialogue between Serbia and Albania did not exist. However, eventhough the aimed goals are stil not archieved, the improvement in bilateral relations of the two countries is evident.
The conference participants emphasized the importance of linking Belgrade-Tirana – Pristina security structures in order to prevent organized crime, which is encoureged by current political climate and the lack of relevant legal regulations.
Translated by BCSP interns Marija Djordjevic and Aleksandra Krsmanovic
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