Statement by

H.E. Eglantina Gjermeni

 Ambassador, Permanent Representative

1522nd PC,  agenda item: Report by the Head of the OSCE Mission in Kosova

Thank you, Mr. Chair,

1. We warmly welcome Ambassador Gerard McGurk to the Permanent Council and thank him for his first comprehensive report in his new capacity as Head of the OSCE Mission in Kosova. We wish him every success in leading the OSCE’s largest field operation and assure him of Albania’s continued support and cooperation.
2. We appreciate the report’s detailed overview of OMiK’s activities and priorities. The Mission’s work in strengthening the rule of law, supporting democratic institutions, and engaging with communities across Kosova remains essential. In particular, we commend the Mission’s efforts in supporting legal aid provision, inclusive education, and electoral assistance, as noted in the report.
3. We also take note of the report’s reference to the parliamentary elections held in February 2025, which were assessed as peaceful, democratic, and pluralistic. These elections confirm once again Kosova’s capacity to organise democratic processes that meet high standards of transparency and participation.
4. As you rightly underline, the proactive steps taken by Kosova’s government in addressing concerns regarding police conduct demonstrate institutional responsiveness and a principled approach to accountability, even in challenging circumstances.
5. Ambassador McGurk’s reference to the Mission’s support to minority communities, including work on civil registration and diploma verification, reflects Kosova’s ongoing commitment to inclusion. Despite ongoing external challenges to its sovereignty, Kosova continues to uphold the rights of all communities and maintains an impressive record in protecting minority rights.
6. The report also mentions tensions in the north, including recent acts of sabotage and threats to public safety. While we share concern over these developments, we underline that Kosova has consistently acted with restraint and has taken legal, proportionate measures in response to provocations. The Government’s requests for international cooperation and its willingness to investigate and address complaints reaffirm its commitment to the rule of law. In this regard, we believe that the report should reflect the real challenges in Kosovo more directly, rather than relativizing the sources of destabilization.
7. In this context, we must address the ongoing dialogue between Kosova and Serbia. It is often claimed that Kosova fails to engage — and while political tensions can indeed complicate dialogue — this claim cannot be fairly assessed in isolation from Serbia’s broader behaviour. Serbia continues to shelter individuals charged with terrorism, obstructs the functioning of the joint Commission on Missing Persons, and actively works to block Kosova’s participation in international forums. These actions are incompatible with the letter and spirit of the 2023 Ohird Agreement on the path to normalisation. Let us not forget: Serbia has yet to acknowledge for the crimes committed in Kosova, and it is difficult to imagine genuine reconciliation while it continues to adopt a posture of victimhood and denial. The end goal of the EU-facilitated dialogue is clear — mutual recognition and peaceful coexistence between two sovereign states. It is precisely this outcome that some actors seem intent on avoiding.
8. Albania welcomes the Mission’s support for dialogue and reconciliation initiatives, including youth and inter-community activities, which remain vital in building trust and stability. We also appreciate the Mission’s continued monitoring of the judiciary and its emphasis on gender and youth inclusion.
9. Given Kosova’s democratic progress, we believe the time has come to align the reporting practice of the Head of Mission with that of other OSCE field operations in the Western Balkans. We therefore respectfully recommend that future reporting to the Permanent Council be conducted on an annual basis.
10. We believe that the report should put more emphasis on the tangible progress made by Kosova institutions in several key areas, such as the rule of law, transitional justice, guaranteeing the rights of non-majority communities, improving access to public services, and depoliticizing public and independent institutions. This would help to provide a fairer, more accurate, and more balanced picture of the political, institutional, and social reality in the Republic of Kosova.
11. Finally, Albania reiterates its strong support for Kosova’s full and equal participation in the OSCE. We remain hopeful that Kosova will soon join this Organisation as a participating State, contributing constructively and equally to our shared commitments.

I thank you, Mr. Chair.