News that Albania and Serbia had reached a preliminary agreement to open consular offices in Shkodër and Bujanoc was made public on Thursday.
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The announcement was made by Serbian Foreign Minister Marko Gjurić, who said the agreement was reached during talks with Albanian Foreign Minister Ferit Hoxha.
In a statement to Radio Belgrade, Gjurić stressed that this development marks progress in strengthening bilateral ties.
He expressed satisfaction with the constructive discussions with his new Albanian counterpart, adding that the parties had agreed in principle to establish consulates in both countries.
Meanwhile, the Albanian side has yet to officially confirm the agreement. MP Marjana Koçeku reacted sharply, calling the decision to open a Serbian consulate in Shkodër unusual and questioning whose interests the move serves. She called on Minister Hoxha to provide a prompt explanation if the news is confirmed.
Koçeku also stressed that Belgrade cannot be viewed as a close political ally as long as it continues to maintain positions and pursue policies that conflict with the interests of Albanians and Kosovo.
She argued that Serbia still has many unresolved issues with Kosovo, particularly following recent statements by Minister Paunović, which provoked strong reactions. According to her, Tirana should have taken a firmer stance but instead chose a soft policy toward Serbia, which she considers surprising.
Referring to historical experience, Koçeku stressed that every development in relations with Serbia requires the utmost caution and a thorough assessment of the consequences. For this reason, she insisted that such a diplomatic step warrants full transparency, public debate and serious analysis in the national interest.
According to her, a Serbian consulate in Shkodër would not serve Albanian interests but would strengthen Serbia’s regional position, contrary to Albania’s national interests and Euro-Atlantic aspirations.
The MP reiterated that Serbia cannot be treated as a reliable partner while it continues to support policies harmful to Albanians and Kosovo. She urged Albania to act prudently in every step affecting the regional balance, always guided by the national interest and support for Kosovo.
Analysts in Albania, meanwhile, view this development with concern, arguing that Tirana is being overly generous toward Belgrade and that Pristina should reconsider its communication with the Socialist Party. They view the opening of the consulate in Bujanoc positively, as it would pave the way for Albanians there to receive funding from the Albanian state budget.
Political analyst Milaim Nela described the establishment of a Serbian consulate in Shkodër as bad news for Albanians. According to him, instead of distancing itself from a Serbia with a militaristic approach that constantly threatens Kosovo, Tirana is making concessions for a small number of families in Vrakë, whom he identifies as Montenegrin rather than Serbian.
Nela argues that Albania could have played a different role in the region by pressuring Serbia to recognize Kosovo and abandon its ambitions of reannexation. He went further, suggesting that Kosovo’s institutions should sever all ties with the Socialist Party and treat its representatives as Serbian officials, even going as far as expelling the Albanian ambassador until this decision, which he calls scandalous, is revoked.
Analyst Ilir Vata considers the Serbian consulate in Shkodër a tactical advantage for Serbia in northern Albania, giving it greater influence toward Montenegro rather than serving the limited number of Serbs there. According to him, the main objective of Albanian diplomacy was to open the consulate in Bujanoc, and to achieve this it offered Serbia the opportunity to have an office in Albania.
Vata stresses that Tirana’s official presence in the Preševo Valley is important and that the government should fund the Albanians in that area from the state budget. He views the agreement as a positive diplomatic move but stresses that its impact will be measured by concrete engagement.
Asked whether Serbia should have resolved its issues with Kosovo before this agreement and whether Albania could have blocked the process, Vata agreed, adding that Belgrade benefits more from the move because it shifts the focus away from the main problem, which is Kosovo. According to him, through this move, President Vučić aims to soften the stance of international allies and buy time to maintain control over the Kosovo issue, while he also highlights the lack of coordination between Albanians in Tirana and Pristina.
