Thank you, Mr. Chair,
In reply to statements made earlier under this current issue, Albania reiterates its full support for the improvement of the living conditions of all people across the Republic of Kosova.
Kosova’s institutions have consistently demonstrated their commitment to protecting the rights of all communities and to strengthening security, rule of law, and democratic institutions. Developments on the ground, together with independent international assessments, point to positive trends in Kosova’s overall security environment and resilience.
According to the 2025 SecuriMeter survey of the Regional Co-operation Council, Kosova recorded the highest level of perceived internal security in the Western Balkans. The 2025 Normandy Index ranked Kosova 13th globally and first in the Western Balkans in resilience to security threats. Other international assessments point in the same direction.
The World Justice Project records positive developments in the areas of absence of corruption and civil justice, while the 2025 Gallup Global Safety Report ranked Kosova first in Europe and third globally in terms of law and order.
The evolution of KFOR’s posture further reflects the improved security situation in Kosova. NATO has confirmed the gradual transition from a permanent KFOR presence at the main bridge over the Ibër River in Mitrovica and is transferring its competencies concerning the Deçan Monastery to Kosova’s Police, citing the improved security situation. This is consistent with the broader evolution of the security environment across the country.
Kosova continues to pursue a cross-sectoral and mainstreamed approach to policies affecting non-majority communities, aimed at promoting social cohesion and inclusive development. Its country’s institutions have consistently demonstrated the readiness and ability to assume greater responsibility and contribute meaningfully to security and stability in the region and beyond.
Against this backdrop, allegations of systemic mistreatment of Serb communities in Kosova are unfounded and misleading. Repeated assertions of this kind should not go unchecked and should be assessed against objective evidence and facts on the ground. Otherwise, they risk distorting realities and undermining efforts to strengthen regional stability.
Mr. Chair, colleagues,
Kosova’s constitutional and legal framework provides comprehensive guarantees for the protection of the rights of all communities, including extensive safeguards for the Serbian community. The implementation of the rule of law, particularly in the north, is aimed at ensuring equal access to security, public services, property rights and economic opportunities for all citizens, while creating conditions for greater social cohesion and integration.
The improved security environment in northern Kosova has also created greater opportunities for freedom of movement, inter-community links and access to public services, whereas organized criminal structures operating outside the legal framework have negatively affected the security and freedom of citizens, including members of the Serbian community. Measures taken against such structures should therefore be understood for what they are: law-enforcement action directed at criminal activity, not measures against the Serbian community or its rights.
The same principle applies to efforts to establish the facts surrounding wartime crimes, missing persons and mass graves. Accountability, the clarification of the fate of missing persons and the preservation of evidence are matters of justice and historical responsibility and should not be portrayed as directed against any particular community. On the other hand, we express concern that those members of the community who collaborate for the identification of missing persons face retaliatory measures by Belgrade.
Concrete developments demonstrate that strengthening the rule of law, security and institutional presence can go hand in hand with stronger protection of community rights, improved access to services and greater opportunities for integration.
Mr. Chair, colleagues,
The sovereignty and territorial integrity of Kosova, and its right to consolidate law and order, and democratic and multi-ethnic institutions, must be respected. Rule of law and democracy remain essential guarantees for peace and security in the country and the region.
At the same time, we recognize the importance of continued dialogue and co-ordination of Kosova authorities with communities and international partners, and careful, proportionate and transparent implementation of lawful measures in order to preserve trust and inter-community stability.
We remain firm in our support for the EU-facilitated dialogue, and we reinforce our call to Belgrade to engage constructively, in good faith, and not to instrumentalize the Serb community in Kosova with the aim of sowing instability.
We reiterate our support of the OSCE Mission in fulfilling its mandate to assist Kosova’s institutions and society in promoting the rule of law, protecting human rights, and advancing inter-community trust.
Albania remains unwavering in its commitment to a peaceful, stable and prosperous Western Balkans as we progress on our common EU accession path. Thank you!
