Statement by Albania,  as delivered by Mr. Sokol Bega, Chargé d’Affaires a.i.

of the Permanent Mission of the Republic of Albania to the International Organizations in Vienna,

in response to the report by the Head of the OSCE Mission in Kosovo

Meeting 1581 of the Permanent Council, 15 October 2026, Vienna

Thank you, Mr. Chair,

Albania thanks the Head of Mission, Ambassador Gerard McGurk, for his comprehensive report and for his team’s continued engagement across Kosova.

We commend the Mission’s close partnership with the institutions and people of the Republic of Kosova in supporting reforms, democratization, the rule of law, institutional consolidation and the rights of all communities.

The Mission continues to enjoy the trust of all communities, including in times of heightened sensitivities. As the OSCE’s largest field operation, the Mission maintains an extensive presence across the country and continues to provide timely and factual reporting, promote tolerance and dialogue, protect human rights, and build bridges between communities.

Its work remains essential, including for regional advancement. We also commend its support for transparent and inclusive governance and its strong engagement with civil society. We particularly value its efforts to involve women and young people in inter- and intra-community dialogue.

We reiterate our recommendation that the reporting practice of the Head of Mission in Kosovo be aligned with that of other field operations in South-East Europe, with future reporting to the Permanent Council conducted annually.

Mr. Chair,

Albania welcomes the recent political and institutional developments in Kosova. The election of the President represents an important step towards institutional stability and allows renewed focus on key priorities and reforms.

With regard to the proceedings in The Hague against former leaders of the Kosovo Liberation Army, Albania acknowledges the profound disappointment expressed by many Albanians over a ruling they consider unjust. We reaffirm the importance of fair and impartial justice, respect for individual criminal responsibility and due process, while recognising the historical context of Kosova’s struggle for freedom.

We take note of the three suspected mass graves discovered recently, with the remains of 23 persons identified, possibly those of Kosova Albanians from Mitrovica who disappeared in 1999. We urge Serbia to assume its responsibility in clarifying the fate of forcibly disappeared persons by opening its military and police archives, facilitating investigations at suspected mass grave sites, and providing all relevant information. Work must not stop until all missing persons are accounted for. They deserve justice, their loved ones deserve answers.

Mr. Chair,

Albania reiterates the importance of ensuring full accountability for the deadly terrorist attack in Banjska in September 2023, as well as for the attacks against KFOR, media, and Kosova Police during the violent protest by Kosova Serbs in May 2023, and the explosion at the Zubin Potok canal in November 2024.

Allowing such acts to go unanswered encourages those seeking to undermine peace through violence and intimidation. Justice is not an obstacle to dialogue – it is an essential foundation for credible dialogue, mutual trust and lasting reconciliation.

Earlier in this Council, we rejected as unacceptable and irresponsible statements by a member of the Serbian Government referring to the “ethnic cleansing” of Kosova. More recently, another Serbian minister, while campaigning, used inflammatory rhetoric. Such rhetoric could be brushed aside as political posturing were it not for the real risk of emboldening those prepared to act on it.

Albania remains convinced that the only sustainable path forward, however difficult, lies in good-neighbourly relations, addressing the wounds of the past and advancing reconciliation. Regional co-operation cannot be sustained while realities are denied, the legitimacy of neighbours is questioned, or threatening rhetoric is used for political gain.

Mr. Chair,

Albania reiterates its full support for improving the living conditions of all people across Kosova, whose constitutional and legal framework provides comprehensive guarantees for all communities, including extensive safeguards for the Serbian community.

The implementation of the rule of law must be assessed in the context of broader institutional efforts to ensure equal access to security, public services, property rights and economic opportunities, while promoting social cohesion and integration for all. A balanced assessment should consider relevant facts and developments consistently, without assigning disproportionate weight to isolated incidents.

The evolution of KFOR’s posture, both at the main bridge over the Ibër River in Mitrovica and at the Deçan Monastery, further reflects the improved security situation.

Kosova’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, as well as its right to consolidate the rule of law and democratic, multi-ethnic institutions, must be respected.

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.

Mr. Chair, colleagues,

Kosova remains firmly anchored on its European integration path and fully aligned with the EU Common Foreign and Security Policy. This consistent commitment deserves recognition through the granting of EU candidate country status to Kosova. We repeat also our strong hope that Kosova will take its rightful place as the Council of Europe’s newest member State as soon as possible.

We remain firmly committed to the EU-facilitated dialogue and call on Belgrade to engage constructively and in good faith, refraining from instrumentalising the Serb community in Kosova to forment instability.

Albania remains unwavering in its commitment to a peaceful, stable and prosperous Western Balkans advancing together on the EU accession path.

We reiterate our support for the OSCE Mission in fulfilling its mandate and we wish Ambassador McGurk and his team every success in their important work. Thank you.