Kosovo Cautious on Albania PM’s Plan for Serb Municipalities Association

Albania's Prime Minister Edi Rama said on Thursday that he has sent a proposal to France's President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz for the statute of the Association of Serb-Majority Municipalities in Kosovo - a move that was not well-received by the Pristina authorities.

Rama was attempting to break the long-running deadlock over the Association of Serb-Majority Municipalities, which is intended to represent Serbs' interests in Kosovo but is viewed with suspicion by the Pristina authorities.

Rama told journalists in Tirana that the document was drafted "some time ago" by American and European experts and was created "exactly in case this situation came about".

"This is a confidential document which does not pretend to be an ideal solution but I assure you that it is of the highest international standard. It takes into consideration all the reasons for the establishment of the Association and… addresses all the recommendations and conclusions of [Kosovo's] Constitutional Court," Rama said.

"I wish and hope that this document will serve to take the [Pristina-Belgrade] dialogue [aimed at normalising relations] to another level and make both sides talk about concrete issues which are related to the successful conclusion of the dialogue," he added.

His move comes amid the crisis that erupted in Kosovo's Serb-majority northern municipalities two weeks ago and sparked criticism of the Pristina government from its Western allies.

Rama's proposal was not wholeheartedly accepted in Kosovo, with ruling party Vetevendosje expressing caution.

"There is an old saying that 'the path to hell is paved with good intentions'. So I don't see this proposal beyond this context," Mimoza Kusari Lila, head of the...