Milazim Maraj Raises Concerns over Kosovo-Albania Relations and Calls for Diplomacy to Defend the National Interest

Political activist Milazim Maraj said that cooperation between Kosovo and Albania has weakened, linking this to the historical division and the lack of a common national approach.

According to Maraj, the prolonged political division has had major consequences for relations between Albanians living on both sides of the border.

“It appears that the consequences of the long division and even longer occupation have affected the feelings of Albanians on both sides of the border. This situation has sacrificed many Albanians—patriots with high intellectual, humanitarian and patriotic values—bringing serious political and diplomatic consequences on both sides of the border,” Maraj said.

He stressed that regional developments, in his view, have not been addressed through coordinated Albanian policy, while national interests have often remained outside the main focus.

“Such a situation appears to have further fragmented the Albanian space, and it is not the first time that politicians from Albania have made decisions that have raised concerns about national interests. History has shown that whenever politics moves away from national principles, Albanians in the region bear the consequences,” he said.

Addressing the opening of a Serbian consulate in Shkodër, Maraj said the development should be examined more deeply from a political and historical perspective.

“At a time when Serbia is facing a loss of reputation on the international stage, the issue of the consulate in Shkodër raises many questions. Have politicians learned from national history? How much Albanian blood was shed for Shkodër during Serbian and Montenegrin attacks to seize this place?” Maraj said.

According to him, diplomatic relations should not be built without taking into account the region’s historical past and political circumstances.

“Historical or cultural ties between Albanians and Serbia have not been a consistent historical reality. On the contrary, history has been marked by wars and efforts to harm Albanian identity and interests. Therefore, every diplomatic step must be viewed with great care and responsibility,” he said.

Maraj also criticized the lack of a stronger commitment by Albanian diplomacy to Albanians living outside the borders, with particular emphasis on the Albanian community in the Preševo Valley.

“Albania should raise its voice at the UN, the European Union and every international institution to protect its compatriots. Today, however, we have a situation in which Albanian diplomacy appears not to be playing the role it should in protecting the interests of Albanians in the region,” he said.

He emphasized that reciprocity should be accompanied by concrete results and tangible benefits for Albanians in the region.

“What do the Albanians of the Preševo Valley gain from these developments? This is a question that must be answered. Reciprocity cannot be merely a political statement; it must bring real equality and protection of the rights of communities,” Maraj said.

In conclusion, the political activist called for national interests to once again be placed at the center and for diplomacy to play a more active role.

“For many years, Albania failed to become the cultural and national epicenter of Albanians. Political ideologies and various interests have often prevailed over the national interest. But Albanians who do not bow down and continue to fight for their interests have always existed and will continue to exist,” Maraj concluded.