Haradinaj: Mini-Schengen aims to expand Russian and Chinese influence in the Balkans
Outgoing Prime Minister of Kosovo, Ramush Haradinaj, addressed yesterday journalists about the Balkan mini-Schengen, which he called a “Belgrade-based Russian and Chinese influence”.
He said that the mini-Schengen is not in Kosovo’s interest and has nothing to do with the visa liberalization process. Haradinaj said that mini-Schengen is just an expansion, to which Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic, Albanian PM Edi Rama and North Macedonia PM Zoran Zaev are inviting Kosovo to join in.
“It is not in Kosovo’s or Europe ’s interest. Russia and China are installed in all aspects in Belgrade. Kosovo has no interest in the expansion of Russian and Chinese influence in Europe”.
The idea of the creation of a “mini-Schengen” in the Balkans is being promoted by Albanian prime minister Edi Rama in cooperation with Serbian president Aleksandar Vucic and North Macedonia prime minister Zoran Zaev, and has led to a clash with political leaders in Kosovo.
During a second meeting between Rama, Vucic and Zaev held on 10 November in Ohrid, North Macedonia, Albanian PM accused Kosovo of choosing self-isolation rather than joining this initiative, which Kosovo leaders see with skepticism and consider it a revival of old Yugoslavia plus Albania.