Kosovo and its security are an absolute priority of Albania’s foreign policy, said Foreign Minister Elisa Spiropali.

The Albanian Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, during her visit to Kosovo on Wednesday, announced an intensification of Albania’s lobbying for new recognitions of Kosovo, while urging the European Union to grant Kosovo membership status. After meeting her Kosovar counterpart, Glauk Konjufca, she also announced that joint government meetings between the two countries will resume in 2026, after a four-year pause.

“Kosovo is an absolute priority of Albania’s foreign policy, closely linked with all internal developments in both Albania and Kosovo. This is not a rhetoric of solidarity nor a diplomatic formula—it is a stable state strategic orientation. Strengthening Kosovo’s international subjectivity is a direct national interest of Albania, as well as a desire of our hearts. Every new recognition, every new membership, every step toward Kosovo’s international consolidation is an investment in security, dignity, and stability of our entire Albanian space, and also of the region. Albania will intensify its diplomatic engagement to expand recognitions in continuous coordination, side by side, and also to advance Kosovo’s progress in international organizations,” she said.

At a joint press conference with Konjufca, Spiropali stated that Kosovo’s security is the top priority for Albania.

“The presence of NATO and the role of KFOR remain irreplaceable stability factors in a Europe shaken by war and geopolitical tensions. Security is not guaranteed; it requires vigilance, coordination, and continuous engagement. Kosovo’s security is the top priority for Albania, and Kosovo’s security is Albania’s own security. This is not a rhetorical figure—it is a strategic assessment, and we want to see Kosovo as close as possible to NATO structures. The joint agreement between Albania, Kosovo, and Croatia is an important element, not only for joint trainings and shared security but also for bringing Kosovo closer to NATO structures. Hosting the NATO summit in 2027 in Tirana should be an excellent opportunity to bring Kosovo closer to Euro-Atlantic structures,” she emphasized.

The Albanian diplomat also referred to the Kosovo-Serbia dialogue, underlining that this process must conclude with mutual recognition.

“Mutual recognition is the only stable basis for a healthy relationship between the two states and for a region free from inherited tensions. Serbia must accept this reality, not as an act of pressure but as a necessary step for true normalization. This agreement should finally open the path for Kosovo’s full membership in the United Nations and other international organizations. On this path, Albania will continue to strongly support Kosovo with persistence, full coordination, and our allies, with complete strategy and clarity,” she added.

Regarding Albania-Kosovo cooperation, she announced that in 2026 a joint government meeting will take place.

“Of course, we also discussed the joint meeting of the two governments. We firmly believe that the time has come to have a joint meeting of the two governments in 2026, either in Albania or Kosovo, to discuss all agreements signed so far, as well as areas of common interest. In fact, all sectors and all our priorities between the two governments are being implemented, and there is also the possibility of signing new agreements,” Spiropali concluded.

On his part, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Diaspora Glauk Konjufca said that Kosovo and Albania share fraternal relations, emphasizing the need to deepen relations in the political, economic, and diplomatic fields.

“In this spirit, we discussed today further deepening of political and economic cooperation between Kosovo and Albania, full coordination in foreign policy, and strengthening of our internal diplomatic capacities… Kosovo is committed to implementing all agreements signed over the years with the Republic of Albania, which are over 140, and to bringing our two states and societies closer in every field of life,” he said.

In addition to her meeting with Konjufca, Spiropali was received by President Vjosa Osmani, Speaker of the Assembly Albulena Haxhiu, and Prime Minister Albin Kurti.