The First Deputy Prime Minister and Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs and Diaspora of the Republic of Kosovo, Glauk Konjufca, is in Koror, Palau, where he is attending the 55th Leaders’ Meeting of the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF), taking place from August 30 to September 4, 2026.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Diaspora said that Kosovo’s presence at the forum aims to deepen relations with Pacific states, increase the country’s diplomatic engagement in the region and advance cooperation in areas of mutual interest.

During his visit to Palau, Konjufca is expected to meet with heads of state and government, foreign ministers, as well as other senior officials from the participating countries.

The forum’s agenda includes discussions on economic resilience, climate, ocean and fisheries management, regional security, institutional reform and strengthening unity among Pacific countries.

According to the announcement, the Republic of Kosovo considers the Blue Pacific agenda to be of global importance and expresses its readiness to contribute, in line with its capacities and the needs of the countries in the region, to climate resilience, disaster preparedness, sustainable development and the preservation of natural resources.

Bilateral meetings and activities held within the framework of the summit are expected to help consolidate existing ties, open new partnerships and expand cooperation with Pacific states.

Areas of cooperation expected to receive attention include education, strengthening public administration capacities, security, digital development and exchanges between institutions.

Cultural diplomacy, academic ties and direct contacts between citizens will also be in focus.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Diaspora emphasizes that participation in the PIF Summit demonstrates the Republic of Kosovo’s willingness to build stronger and more sustainable engagement with the Pacific region, based on mutual respect, common interests, solidarity and long-term partnerships.

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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.

The post Milazim Maraj Raises Concerns over Kosovo-Albania Relations and Calls for Diplomacy to Defend the National Interest appeared first on Albeu.com.