Serbian, Albanian PMs Agree to Disagree on Kosovo, Seek Closer Cooperation

Serbian Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic (L) react as Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama (R) looks on during a joint press conference in Tirana, Albania, 27 May 2015. Photo: EPA

Serbian Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic and his Albanian counterpart Edi Rama agreed to disagree on Kosovo and sought closer cooperation between their countries.

This happened at the meeting of the two leaders on Wednesday, which is part of the two-day visit of Vucic to Tirana, Tanjug news agency reports.

The meeting in Albania was historic, as it constituted the first time that a Serbian Prime Minister visited Tirana.

The two leaders agreed that the meeting was a positive step for the future of the two peoples and countries.

Although differences were expressed during the talks, the two leaders have initiated a process, which could only bring prosperity.

They agreed on letting bygones be bygones and looking to the future as the two countries aimed for EU membership and better mutual relations.

The two leaders also called on businessmen and investors from the two countries to become more engaged with each other.

Vucic called on greater trade exchange, which at present stood at EUR 109 M, setting out a target for it to reach EUR 500 M in the next ten years.

Vucic responded to the announcement of Kosovo's Foreign Minister Hashim Thaci that the country will soon bring a genocide claim against Serbia.

The Serbian Prime Minister said he did not understand the statement of Thaci and that it was not based on facts.

Despite the different opinions expressed at the meeting, Vucic and Rama agreed that the relationship between the two states was of strategic importance for the Western Balkans

Vucic also met Albanian President Bujar Nishani, Parliament Speaker Ilir Meta and Deputy Prime Minister Niko Peleshi on Wednesday before attending the Vienna Economic Forum, which is taking place in Tirana on Thursday.

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