Prime Minister Edi Rama said from Brussels that, in his assessment, Serbia is showing no signs of changing its approach toward Kosovo. In the same appearance, the head of government said Tirana is working to close accession negotiations with the European Union by the end of 2027, a goal that remains tied not only to reforms at home but also to the pace and political will of the EU itself.
Rama: Serbia’s approach to Kosovo is not changing
During an interview at the “Euronews Enlargement Summit,” Rama was asked about political developments in Serbia and their impact on relations with Kosovo. He suggested that, from the winners in Belgrade, he does not see any openness on the Kosovo issue.
In essence, his message was that Serbia’s course remains the same. Rama said Belgrade has maintained a different position not only on Kosovo, but also on Russia and other issues, adding that if a country seeks EU membership, it must deliver concrete results and earn that place.
Between criticism of Serbia and caution for the region
The prime minister described Serbia as an important part of the Western Balkans, but stressed that it should not be allowed to drift in the wrong direction. Although he avoided the tone of public lecturing, he clearly presented the distance between the EU’s demands and Belgrade’s conduct so far.
At this point, Rama’s statement follows the same line as continued European pressure on the countries of the region: moving closer to the EU requires political alignment, not only diplomatic rhetoric.
Government goal: negotiations closed by the end of 2027
For Albania, Rama repeated that the government’s goal is to close accession negotiations by the end of 2027. According to him, that would be proof that the Albanian side has fulfilled its responsibilities in the process.
However, Rama himself acknowledged that the road with the European Union has not been linear. He recalled that over the years he has seen deadlines fade, cases when the EU did not do its part, but also moments when it acted beyond expectations.
Between promises and the process’s usual uncertainty
The statement that “with the EU, you never know” highlights the uncertainty that has accompanied European enlargement in the Balkans for years. This means that even when the Albanian government speaks about a calendar and targets, the final decision-making does not depend only on Tirana.
In this context, the 2027 goal remains a political target of the government, while the real test will be whether the reforms are considered sufficient by member states and whether the climate within the EU remains favorable to enlargement.
From Brussels, Rama sent two political signals at once: skepticism about any movement by Serbia on Kosovo and insistence that Albania must push forward with its own EU process.
But beyond the statements, the balance of integration will be measured not by deadlines announced at summits, but by the concrete results the process produces both in Tirana and at the European Union’s decision-making tables.