The Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, Ferit Hoxha, has responded to a statement by Serbian Minister Ivica Dačić, who, during the election campaign, promised his audience that he would “raise their flag again” in Kosovo.

In his response, Minister Hoxha emphasizes that such inflammatory rhetoric cannot be dismissed as mere political rhetoric, as it carries the risk of encouraging actions that threaten peace and security. In this context, he recalls the events in Banjska, for which full accountability has yet to be established, as a stark reminder of the consequences that can arise when words turn into actions.

Albania remains firmly convinced that the only path forward lies in good-neighbourly relations, regional cooperation, and sincere efforts to heal the wounds of the past and move towards reconciliation.

However, as Minister Hoxha underlines, sustainable regional cooperation cannot be built on the denial of realities, the questioning of the legitimacy of neighbouring countries, or the use of threatening rhetoric for political gain.

Building peace and trust takes time, vision, courage, determination, and sustained commitment. The European experience demonstrates that these values are built on recognition, dialogue, mutual respect, and solidarity, not on denial, intimidation, or nostalgia for the past.

In the Western Balkans, the consequences of division, nationalism, and provocative rhetoric are well known. For this reason, Minister Hoxha stresses the importance of not forgetting the lessons of the past and avoiding the repetition of its mistakes.

 

Minister Hoxha underscores that the Republic of Kosovo is an irreversible reality: a sovereign and democratic state, an equal part of our region, and a country that continues to consolidate its position within the European and international community.

Kosovo is the homeland of all its citizens, regardless of their ethnic background, and its future must be one of peace, security, inclusiveness, and European integration.