Rama tells Serbs he wants ‘Greater EU, not ‘Greater Albania’

Albania, he said, is struggling for a ‘Greater Europe’ with all Albanians and all other populations and countries in the region, and not a ‘Greater Albania’. ”I said this clearly yesterday to Prime Minister Vucic as well,” he added. A televised argument at a press briefing on Monday over the issue of Kosovo between the two leaders had led to tension between them. In speaking in Presevo, the capital of a region with Serbs of Albanian culture and language, Rama underscored that ”minorities should not be a source of problems and disagreements. Rather, they should be bridges that unite, fostering collaboration.” Given a hero’s welcome by the local population, Rama met Presevo mayor Ragmi Mustafa at the town council, who bestowed honorary citizenship on him. ”My responsibility will now be greater, since day after day I will have to protect Albanians even outside of Albania,” he said in meeting with groups of local students and businessmen. ”I am confident of having turned a new page in relations with Serbia, despite difficulties and disagreements,” Rama said. Hundreds of people welcomed him in front of the town council and the Presevo House of Culture with Albanian flags, traditional costumes and folk music. The prime minister returned to Tirana by car, crossing Kosovo. (ANSAmed).