Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama has urged NATO to increase its military presence in Kosovo and secure its borders with Serbia, warning that recent ethnic violence could potentially trigger a wider Balkan conflict.

Kosovo’s border with Serbia is „out of control,” and the frontier is being used for illegal activities such as drugs, arms smuggling, and infiltration by ultra nationalists, he said. Kosovo gained independence through a NATO military campaign launched in 1999 to end a bloody Serb crackdown on an armed separatist movement. NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg has confirmed that NATO does not see any military threat to its allies in the Western Balkans, but there is an increase in tensions, especially in Kosovo.

Stoltenberg has also suggested deploying additional peacekeeping troops in Kosovo. Both Serbia and Kosovo want to join the European Union, which is mediating a dialogue between the former foes.

As a member since 2009, Albania actively participates in NATO missions, exercises, and contributes to shared security objectives.

Albania’s support for Kosovo in its conflict with Serbia is rooted in historical, cultural, and geopolitical factors. Historically, both nations share linguistic and cultural ties, and the majority of Kosovo’s population is ethnic Albanian. This historical connection has fostered a strong sense of solidarity between Albania and Kosovo.

Geopolitically, supporting Kosovo aligns with Albania’s commitment to regional stability and the principles of self-determination. By standing on Kosovo’s side, Albania advocates for a resolution that respects the rights and aspirations of Kosovo’s population, emphasizing the importance of a stable and secure Western Balkans.

Furthermore, supporting Kosovo in its conflict with Serbia is consistent with broader European and NATO goals of fostering peace, stability, and reconciliation in the region. Albania’s role in NATO could be said to be in many ways intertwined with its support for Kosovo, reflecting the country’s historical, cultural, and geopolitical considerations.