Leaders from across Europe are gathering in Yerevan today for the eighth edition of the European Political Community, a forum that brings together around 50 heads of state and government to discuss the continent's key challenges. Kosovo is represented at the summit by acting Prime Minister Albin Kurti, while Albania is represented by Prime Minister Edi Rama.
Officially, the meeting will focus on issues such as democratic sustainability, hybrid threats, and economic security. However, attention is also expected to focus on informal discussions, especially regarding geopolitical developments and energy security.
Romanian President Nicușor Dan has emphasized that his priority will be discussing energy security, while Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk has underlined the importance of Euro-American relations, describing them as irreplaceable.
The conflict in the Middle East is expected to be another key topic, given Armenia's geographical position, which shares a border with Iran. Discussions will also include the role of US President Donald Trump and the impact of his policies in Europe.
The summit also marks a special moment with the participation of Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, marking the first time that a non-European leader has joined this format.
The meeting is co-chaired by the President of the European Council, Antonio Costa, and the Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, who have emphasized the importance of international cooperation in maintaining global peace and stability. /ksp
Kurti also meets with Rutte and Zelensky in Yerevan
The acting Prime Minister of Kosovo, Albin Kurti, has announced that on the sidelines of the European Political Community Summit in Yerevan, Armenia, he also spoke with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte and the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky.
Kurti, in a Facebook post, said that he participated in two panels: "European Coalition Against Drugs" and "Reinforcing Democratic Resilience and Addressing Hybrid Threats" and had many meetings with state leaders.
“I had the pleasure of meeting and talking with friends such as NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, EU Foreign and Security Policy Chief Kaja Kallas, Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenković, Luxembourg Prime Minister Luc Frieden, Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo, Prince Albert II of Monaco, as well as leaders of countries with which we aim to establish diplomatic relations such as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. The Republic of Kosovo is determined, committed and dedicated to its path towards membership in the European Union and NATO, as a necessity but also as the best guarantee for long-term stability and security in the region on the one hand and sustainable development on the other”, Kurti wrote. “The recognition of the Republic of Kosovo, which is fully aligned with the EU's foreign and security policy, by countries that are still hesitant to do so and the advancement of its status to a candidate country for membership are the steps that should precede a merit-based process”.
Kurti meets with Kallas, demands that Kosovo be granted the status of candidate country for EU membership
The acting Prime Minister of Kosovo, Albin Kurti, met in Yerevan, Armenia, with the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Kaja Kallas.
As announced by the Prime Minister's Office, at the meeting Kurti reaffirmed Kosovo's commitment to the reform agenda and the request to obtain the status of a candidate country for EU membership.
"In this regard, Acting Prime Minister Kurti reconfirmed Kosovo's commitment to the reform agenda and the request for obtaining the status of a candidate country for EU membership, underlining our country's progress and the need for fair treatment, based on merit. They also discussed recent political developments in the country, including the implementation of the law on foreigners and the agreement of March 14, which was assessed as a new and positive momentum for the way forward," the statement said.
The meeting also discussed the Kosovo-Serbia dialogue and concerns regarding the passivation of Albanian addresses in the Presevo Valley.
"During the meeting, the dialogue process between Kosovo and Serbia was also discussed, as well as the issue of Albanians in Presheva, Medveđa and Bujanovac, where Acting Prime Minister Kurti raised concerns regarding the passivation of addresses and the inability of the Government of the Republic of Kosovo to provide financial support for the Valley," the Prime Minister's Office said.
Kurti meets Plenkovic, emphasizes the need for strengthening alliances and political coordination
The press release from the Prime Minister's Office states that the meeting emphasized the very good relations between Kosovo and Croatia, which are said to be built on stable partnership, sincere friendship and all-round cooperation.
"The conversation also focused on current developments on the European continent and beyond, as well as on the importance of cooperation between states that share common democratic values. In this regard, the need for strengthening alliances and political coordination in the interest of long-term peace, security and stability was emphasized," the announcement says.
Kurti is said to have expressed his gratitude for Croatia's continued support for Kosovo, as it is said, especially in the processes of Euro-Atlantic integration and the strengthening of the country's international subjectivity.
Kurti also met with the Prime Minister of Finland, Petteri Orpo.
"During the meeting, Finland's experience in the concept of comprehensive defense was highlighted, as an advanced model of state and society organization in the face of security challenges, a model that has also been approved by the Government of the Republic of Kosovo. In conclusion, the two prime ministers reaffirmed their readiness to further deepen bilateral relations and expand cooperation in areas of common interest," the Prime Minister's Office announced.
Rama: An incomplete European Union is weaker
The Prime Minister of Albania, Edi Rama, before the start of the eighth Summit of the European Political Community being held in Armenia, said that a European Union that is not complete is weaker and more vulnerable.
He called the summit an opportunity to share common ambitions and concerns.
"It is another summit, the Summit of the European Political Community and another opportunity to share our common ambitions and concerns. In the meantime, it is another great chance to see how much we can do together and how important it is to move forward with the unification of Europe. We need to see what is really behind it and in the meantime it is clear that as things stand, NATO should rely more on the European part. A European Union that is not complete is weaker and more vulnerable than a European Union that is complete", he said. /Tch