Any discussion and debate that helps in understanding and accepting the reality is welcome. Any deviation from this reality can provoke emotions and populist rhetoric and it does not bring any benefit, says the President of the Republic of Albania Mr. Ilir Meta, in this exclusive interview with Albanian Daily News. While the debate over border changes has been for several weeks now the main topic of Serbia-Kosovo dialogue process, as President Aleksandar Vucic and Hashim Thaci openly embraced and promoted the idea, this proposal apparently caught off guard the politicians and main parties in Pristina. Despite viral comments and analyses of several authors in the press, official Tirana remained somewhat “pending”, waiting for further developments to clear the horizon of this unexpected news. Recently the Albanian Foreign Minister Ditmir Bushati received a representative delegation of Presevo Valley Albanians. His message to them and a later interview with the Albanian daily “Panorama”, made it clear that the Albanian government wasn’t enthusiastic at all regarding the idea of land swaps between Kosovo and Serbia. In this interview, President Meta’s stance on the issue: The Balkans’ historical past is unfortunately linked to border changes, ethnic cleansing and violent displacement of the populations which have been followed by great disputes, hostilities, wars… That’s why, says Mr. Meta, the region should never again witness forced displacements, on the contrary: Any Kosovo-Serbia agreement should help grow the spirit of coexistence and harmony and to heal the sense of hatred sown from past and history. President Meta also extends a message to the Albanian population and the political factor in Macedonia, regarding the September 30 referendum on the name deal with Greece. Below the full interview:

(Albanian Daily News) – Mr. President, there is an ongoing debate about border change between Serbia and Kosovo, a debate involving local and foreign politicians and many analysts. What is your position about this debate?

(President Meta) -The dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia is being built not to change the reality, but to guide the process on its final acceptance, in the name of peace and stability. It is a precondition for the European integration of both countries. Any discussion and debate that helps in understanding and accepting this reality is welcome. Any deviation from this reality can provoke emotions and populist rhetoric and it does not bring any benefit. The Balkans has undergone profound transformations in the last two decades while the US and EU have been investing a lot of efforts so far. One of the largest and most successful investments has been the independence of Kosovo and the ongoing dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia in the interest of normalizing relations, stability, peace and long-term security in the region. The Balkans’ historical past is unfortunately linked to border changes, ethnic cleansing and violent displacement of the populations which have been followed by great disputes, hostilities, wars and hatred between nationalities. The agreement that may be reached today between the parties is important to fuel positive energy, to help grow the spirit of coexistence and harmony and to heal the sense of hatred sown from past and history.

-Do you think history is being repeated? This process seems to be well coordinated by both parties…

-It is crucial that we not only never again witness scenes of forced displacement of families, whether Serbian or Albanian, but not even a single family should think of moving away as result of uncertainty that the current border change debate could bring.

-What is Albania’s role in this important issue?

-Albania has always been – and remains – a strong supporter of the dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia, mediated by the EU and supported by the US, and the conclusion of this dialogue should make the region more peaceful and our citizens safer for their future. For Albania, it is of particular importance the respect of basic principles enshrined in the OSCE’s Helsinki and Paris Charter on Security in Europe, especially the principle of non-changing borders.

-What does Serbia gain from this deal?

– The European Union, with its new enlargement strategy on Western Balkans has given a clear European integration perspective to all countries in this region. I believe that through the agreement with Kosovo, Serbia gains its European future, as it is known the good neighborliness is an indispensable and inevitable condition for all countries of the region, Serbia included. Let’s not forget that the January 2014 accession document that initiated the EU-Serbia negotiation process, highlights that both parties can continue on their respective European paths avoiding that one of them blocks the other in these efforts; and it should gradually lead to the comprehensive normalisation of relations between Serbia and Kosovo. EU and the USA are guarantors that the outcome of this agreement will provide Serbia with its path towards EU integration. Serbian authorities have often stated that Serbia’s EU membership is very important and they are seriously engaged in this process. I want to emphasize that this is a benefit not only for Serbia, but also the Serbs living in Kosovo, and it is in the interest of all the countries of the region.

-Kosovo President Hashim Thaci stated several times that changing the borders will be in the best interest of Kosovo’s future…

-First, I would wish for Kosovo to join forces and energies that promote and support in unison the best interest of all citizens of Kosovo. I noticed that President Thaçi has several times emphasized the importance of the territorial integrity of Kosovo, the importance of its multi-ethnicity and the importance of stability in the region. These are very important principles that guarantee an irreversible and sustainable process.

-How do you see Kosovo’s future, Mr. President?

– The sovereignty and territorial integrity of Kosovo is a reality recognized and accepted by an overwhelming majority of the UN member countries. Kosovo is actually a member of many international and regional organizations. The country is involved in an EU association process and its people are anxiously waiting the news of free movement of its citizens in European Union countries. Albania is proud to have contributed to these remarkable achievements and remains firm to its commitment for Kosovo’s full membership in the UN and the EU.

-Do you have any comment about Minister Bushati’s recent interview about this issue?

-I stand by Albanian government in support of Kosovo’s effort in persevering for the stability, territorial integrity, and multi-ethnicity of the state of Kosovo based on important international guarantees, such as Ahtisaari Plan, the decision of International Court of Justice of Hague that legitimized the full compliance with International Law regarding the Independence of Kosovo.

-The European Union has not been very clear so far about the border issue. Your opinion, Mr. President?

-The model and principles of coexistence, harmony and peace among European Union countries is the model of melting of borders, especially ethnic ones. This is the way I see the process of integrating our region into the EU: towards making borders insignificant and not towards imposing of new borders. Any attempt to impose border change patterns under these conditions would not only undermine the region’s stability, but would also endanger the spirit and principles of the EU which the Union has been invested for since its foundation.

-On September 30th, the Zaev government in Skopje will hold a referendum on the agreement with Greece on the name issue, the result of which seems to yet be a dilemma. How important is this for Albania?

-The EU and NATO integration of the region is a very important and vital process for its future. Macedonia is currently in a favorable and optimistic moment after a long stagnation period of its relations with Greece, EU and NATO. Without hesitation we have supported the dialogue between Athens and Skopje, being convinced that this would be the right way to move forward and find a solution to the long due Macedonian integration process. The new agreement on the name issue with Greece opens a new perspective, it is a positive step for Macedonia towards its membership to NATO and EU integration, as well as it effects the stability and security of our region. The Albanian political factor in Macedonia has an irreplaceable role in the process of internal transformation and social-political cohesion as well as in the Euro Atlantic integration of Macedonia. They have the opportunity to reconfirm their position in support of Macedonian membership to NATO and EU and spare no efforts for the success of the referendum. The successful result of this referendum would prove a victory of all political forces, oriented in the Euro-Atlantic aspiration of Macedonia, against the archaic, anti-European and anti NATO tendencies not only for Macedonia but for the whole region. Therefore I believe and the same time, appeal to all Albanians in Macedonia to participate in the referendum of the September 30th and to vote for the agreement which will open a new chapter not only for the integration of Macedonia, but for their future in this country too.

-Thank You, Mr. President.