Brussels
27 March 2020
The newly established Kosovar Government of Prime Minister Albin Kurti failed over a no-confidence vote in the Parliament after internal conflicts over the political reactions to Covid-19 and rumours about an informal border-exchange deal between Kosovo’s President Thaçi with Serbia's President Vučić.
Romeo Franz, Member of the European Parliament for the German Greens and Chair of the Delegation for relations with Bosnia and Herzegovina and Kosovo comments:
“The No-Confidence Vote against the new Kosovar government is a setback for the creation of political stability in the Western Balkans region. Albin Kurti’s government carried the hopes of the young generation of Kosovo for a political restart, stood against the border changes along ethnic criteria and showed a clear will to fight corruption in the country. The majority of people in Kosovo supported these political ambitions in last year’s parliamentary elections. The next government must not lose sight of these ambitions.
The Green Party strongly criticizes the plans for border exchanges along ethnic lines in the Western Balkans. The exchange of territories represents a negative precedent for the whole region and carries the risk of severe consequences for ethnic minorities in the region.
I count on the EU heads of state to fulfil their promise for visa liberalisation for Kosovar citizens at the EU- Western Balkans Summit next May despite the current political crisis. This can be an important sign of solidarity especially for the young people of Kosovo. At the same time, the EU Commission must use their influence and financial aid instruments to put pressure on the political leaders in Kosovo to continue the strongly needed political reforms and to play a constructive role in the stabilisation of the region."
Thomas Waitz, co-chair of the European Green Party adds:
"What Kosovo needs right now is a stable government that will guide Kosovo through the Covid19 crisis and take measures to protect the population. And not a constitutional crisis that was caused by politicians who prioritise their own agenda to push for the US-backed deal. This deal is not a historic solution, but an explosive for the multi-ethnic region."
END
Valentin Dupouey
Head of the Communication Unit / Press Officer
E valentin.dupouey@europeangreens.eu
T +32 (0) 485 93 99 26
European Green Party
Rue Wiertz 31, 1050 Brussels, Belgium
www.europeangreens.eu
---
Press Contact for office of Romeo Franz:
Jochen Eisenburger
M: (+49) 176 26135101
jochen.eisenburger@la.europarl.europa.eu
