Berlin Process Summit/ Kurti: Serbian attacks on Kosovo's sovereignty may remain unpunished

2025-10-22 18:27:00, Kosova & Bota CNA

Berlin Process Summit/ Kurti: Serbian attacks on Kosovo's sovereignty may

Acting Prime Minister of Kosovo, Albin Kurti, has delivered his speech at the 12th Berlin Process summit being held in London. Kurti stated that this summit comes at a time when Europe is prosperous but also very under attack.

He said that Europe needs strong and stable unity to withstand external pressures and internal doubts. According to him, this unity should also extend to the Western Balkans, whose countries are geographically located within the borders of the EU and NATO, but all remain outside the EU.

During his speech, Kurti also spoke about the Serbian terrorist attack in Banjska, which he said could not be ignored. He said that Milan Radoi?i? had accepted responsibility, but justice had not yet been served. The Prime Minister expressed concern that attacks on the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Kosovo could go unpunished.

Regarding Kosovo's economic development, Kurti said that more funding is needed to close the convergence gap in key infrastructure projects, including the green transition. He also spoke about emigration, stating that Kosovo is not a source of migration, but only a transit point with relatively very low numbers.

Albin Kurti's full speech:

Dear Prime Minister Starmer,

Thank you for hosting us in this great house, where nations have often gathered to shape their future.

Dear Chancellor Merz,

Dear colleagues and friends from the European Union and the Western Balkans,

We are meeting at a time when Europe is so prosperous, but at the same time it has never been so attacked.

The growing threat of authoritarianism, both outside and within our continent, is a challenge that Europe knows all too well.

As we mark the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II and the 75th anniversary of the European Convention on Human Rights, we are reminded that peace, freedom, and human dignity are not guaranteed – they must be protected and constantly refreshed by each generation.

Therefore, we need a strong sense of unity, stable enough to withstand both external pressures and internal doubts.

Such unity should also extend to the southeast of our continent. The Western Balkans are geographically located within the borders of the EU and NATO, but all the countries remain outside the EU and half outside the NATO treaties. This is neither wise nor solid. To curb Russian or Chinese influence in Europe, we must not leave any vacuum.

When the European Commission halted the enlargement process in 2014, Berlin took the initiative by creating the “Western Balkans Six” format through the Berlin Process, with the aim of keeping our region close to the EU. Today, when we have war in Europe as a result of Russian aggression in Ukraine, London can help a lot by supporting the Western Balkan countries that want to join NATO, thus closing this dangerous security gap. We have common goals and common values, and we have no other alternative than EU and NATO membership – these should be seen as strengths.

Over the past five years, Kosovo has made the fastest progress in democratic, economic and security indicators. We have had an average of 6% economic growth and never less than 4%. Three months ago, the World Bank and the IMF removed Kosovo from the list of fragile and conflict-affected countries, thus recognizing the resilience, stability and good governance that we have built.

However, our progress remains overshadowed by continued threats and aggression from our northern neighbor. The terrorist attack in Banjska cannot be ignored. Milan Radoi?i? has accepted responsibility, yet justice has not yet been served. Our hostile neighbor to the north must not be allowed to act with impunity, as this encourages new incursions and sends a dangerous signal that attacks on Kosovo's sovereignty and territorial integrity can go unpunished.

Regarding economic development, Kosovo supports the Regional Common Market and the Green Agenda as frameworks for sustainable development. But more funding is needed to close the convergence gap in key infrastructure projects, including the green transition, as well as to reduce inequality with more solidarity.

Since the last summit, we signed a new trade agreement with EFTA member countries in January this year during the World Economic Forum in Davos, covering both goods and services, thus expanding our markets. In our first direct chairmanship of CEFTA, we restored its functionality by electing a new director, after more than two years of deadlock.

On migration, we have committed to the UK to address the causes of instability: strengthening border security, combating organised crime, stopping illicit finance and helping to manage migration flows. We have been seriously engaged in combating small arms and light weapons used by non-state actors, but also as tools of destabilisation by malicious state actors. Kosovo is not a source of migration, but only a transit point with relatively very low numbers. /CNA