There has been increased discussion about the possibility of unification between Albania and Kosovo. Importantly, the idea has been explicitly supported by the leaders of Kosovo’s largest political party and its new prime minister, Albin Kurti. It also seems to have the support of the Albanian Prime Minister, Edi Rama. But it is an idea that is also extremely controversial and has been repeatedly rejected by the wider international community, including most of Kosovo and Albania’s Western partners. So, what lies behind the idea of unification? And could Kosovo and Albania really unite?
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The creation of an independent Albania in 1913 left almost half the Albanian people living in neighbouring states. As a result, many Albanians have long supported the idea of unification between the Albanian speaking territories of the Western Balkans. However, others are more modest and propose to focus on unification between Kosovo and Albania. But could this happen? While the idea may be superficially appealing, it isn’t clear whether it would really enjoy widespread support. More to the point, there are huge legal and political impediments to the idea.
CHAPTERS
0:00 Introduction and Titles
0:40 Renewed talk of Kosovo-Albania unification
1:55 Background to Kosovo and Albania
2:57 The history of Albania and the Albanians
5:34 Why is there talk of unification?
8:25 Could Kosovo and Albania really unite?
10:55 Wider international opposition to unification
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Current Issues and Disputes
South East Europe and the Balkans
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FURTHER READING & USEFUL SOURCES
Constitution of Kosovo
UN Resolution 1244
Kosovo-Albania Relations and Public Opinion (2019)
Kosovo: What Everyone Needs to Know
Kosovo: The Path to Contested Statehood in the Balkans
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Secession and State Creation: What Everyone Needs to Know [PRE-ORDER]
The Cyprus Problem: What Everyone Needs to Know
Kosovo: The Path to Contested Statehood in the Balkans
The Foreign Policy of Counter-Secession
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KEYWORDS
#Kosovo #Albania #Unification
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38 Comments
The subject of unification between Kosovo and Albania is fascinating. There is certainly a logic to it. But could it ever happen? And will it ever happen? Thoughts and comments below.
Native population of Kosovo and Albania are Albanians, what a problem for united in one country?
Skadar to unite with Serbia. And Epirot to unite with Greece.
If Albania annexes Kosovo, it could set a precedent that legitimizes Russia's annexation of southeastern Ukraine.
Yes, same language, same history, one nation
They should unite in 2026 if they are smart ! Could be a perfect option for develop of the region
Europe is obliged to unite us, we didn't break the raft because we are not part of beebee 🐑 taking inspiration from the recent archaeological excavations in the Pogradec region
4 years into the future edi rama has won the elections no qe cannot unite in tb
That case perhaps when the regime changes👍🏻
I always learn from JKL, but this one was exceptionally enlightening.
You mistake, in Kosovo, there are no Roma people.
Albania is the only European country surrounded by Albanian speaking population and surrounded by territories that are considered "stolen land" by all Albanians
United States of Albania (which is the idea that the Albanian-speaking population should be united within a single state, encompassing territories beyond the current borders of Albania, including parts of Kosovo, North Macedonia, Montenegro, and Greece where significant Albanian populations exist) will soon become a reality
These territories are historically and ethnically Albanian, and that their separation from Albania is a result of historical injustices and political decisions that led to their incorporation into other states
1. Albania is surrounded by territories inhabited by Albanian speakers:
This refers to the significant Albanian populations in Kosovo, North Macedonia, Montenegro, and parts of Greece
2. These territories are considered "stolen land" by all Albanians:
This refers to the historical context of how these territories became part of other nations, often through political decisions and conflicts that resulted in the loss of Albanian-majority areas
Kosovo was ALBANIAN is ALBANIAN and will be ALBANIAN in a very near future!
Maybe in Greenland
Kosova është Shqipëri dhe zemra e shqiptarve 🇦🇱🇽🇰🇦🇱🇦🇱
The unification of Kosovo and Albania would likely trigger an international crisis, sanctions, and potentially spark violence in the region. However, what we could do instead is create a federation where both independent states maintain their sovereignty but unify key sectors such as the military, education, and economy. This approach would likely provoke a less severe reaction from the international community while still fostering greater cooperation and integration between the two nations.
As I serb from central serbia I don't care if they unite, but if they unite also all the serbs around serbia should also unite with serbia. This is more than fair, so Bosnia loses more than 50% of their territory, montenegro also loses a piece and we need to see what about croatia since there are serbs also living there. Recognition of Kosovo opened a pandora box and as a serb I like it, please let them unite so we can use it as a justification to reunite all the serbs. After that I hope that my country cuts all diplomatic and economic relations with this "new" albania and completely seals the borders with them. I would like to see what happens than. Please let Albania and Kosovo unite.
If Kosovo joins Albania, republics srpska joins Serbia
You look like you will never expect countries to go to war
Greater Albania
Kosovo is Islamic and European leaders don't want any more Islamic
You are using wrong words: not unification but re-unification. Want it or not, this will happen one day, it is the willing of all albanians everywhere.
Yes it should, because DARDANIA allways was a part of Illyrian Soil that Serbia conquered and changed the topographic name to KOSOVO in 13 July 1913 together they Annexed and Macedonia to in 3 parts with Bulgarians, newly formed state of Greek in 1831, Albanians … and this is a Bigotry and not-forgiving Annoying crime what they done it …
They never can reunite 0:39 with land stolen from serbia
Inshallah
Im from kosovo and im albanian and i wanna unite so bad
I don‘t understand why the western Powers didn‘t let Albania keep Kosovo. If the Western Powers would have let Kosovo become a part of Albania, this massive Conflict wouldn‘t be so emotional. Either this Land should have been given to Albania or the Serbs should have treated Albanians decently in the first Place. Neither one nor the other happened.
Kompletno lupetanje i navođenje nebitnih i potpuno sekundarnih podataka…Klasično atlantističko propagandno IZMIŠLJANJE STVARNOSTI JE SVE OVO ŠTO SE NAVODI….Prvo NEPOSTOJI nikakva država Kosovo i neće nikada ni postojati…Sve Države koje priznaju takozvano Kosovo KRŠE OBAVEZUJUĆU REZOLUCIJU SAVETA BEZBEDNOSTI UJEDINJENIH NACIJA 1244…Sve članice Ujedinjenih Nacija su OBAVEZNE DA POŠTUJU SVE OBAVEZUJUĆE REZOLUCIJE SAVETA BEZBEDNOSTI…Svi koji priznaju takozvano Kosovo KRŠE MEĐUNARODNO PRAVO…Sva ova problematika je GEOPOLITIKA a ne nekakva prava albanaca…Albanci SU SAMO SREDSTVO KOJE SE KORISTI ZA GEOPOLITIČKE RADNJE ATLANTISTA KOJI SU JELTE KRENULI TAMO GDE JE HITLER ZAUSTAVLJEN…Posebna je tema KO SU ALBANCI I KAKO SU KRAJEM 19.VEKA IZMIŠLJENI KAO NACIJA…To su uradili Austrougarska i Vatikan a u sadašnjosti sve to se sprovodi preko NATO pakta…Zaigrali ste se previše i neće vam proći kako to zamnišljate…
I DONT UNERSTRD WAY. CHINE HAD TO DO FOR KOSOVO 🇽🇰. CHINA IS NOT IN EUROPE. Throw in RUBISH 😅😅😊🇽🇰🇽🇰🇽🇰🧿🧿🤲🤲♥️♥️♥️🌹🌹🌹🌹
I think they have started to plant seeds in peoples minds and speak it into the world to see the feedback received. As you stated in Montenegro and Macedonia Albanians are a minority but Kosovo is overwhelmingly Albanian and if it were up to the citizens they would unify tomorrow as Albanians base their identity on being Albanian above political party, religion and all other factions. The Albanian flag is present in Kosovars homes and during ethnic celebrations and weddings and as you mentioned government buildings in Kosovo. I think the immediate solution is to push and encourage Kosovo recognition but I don’t doubt that unification is a distant dream that is the ultimate goal maybe not in the near future but they are setting up the foundation for the next generations.
Kosovo is Albania no way. 92% of the population of kosovo is albanian, 95% of the population is muslim. so what is the problem with the Kosovo-Albanian reunion?!
Kosovo and Albania will always be united no matter what
First of europe has to pay for albanians compensation for all the wars crimes that happened in the past. Albanians fought the ottomans defended europe for many years after that everything went wrong albanians got killed by their lovely neighbors for many years. Especially the west europe & russia have to pay bc its their fault.
I am Albanian, and we will unite by Gods will. We are one people who need to unite our lands and people. Northern Greece is our land and people Çambria. Macedonian land is Albanian, Kosova, and Montenegro. God bless Albanian people and lands and God bless you.
we DARDANIENS dont want to unite whith Albania. Albania is full of zigan greeks
The serbs will march in tirana if this happens and no other nations get involved
Yeah… unification or not. Independence or not… should be equal right for every nation (Not only for Albanians). So, if therefore, if someone in the world remembers that there is something we call equal "justice for all", things would be much simpler.
However, justice in international relations obviously does not exist, and therefore international law no longer exists either.
It would probably be easy for Serbia to recognize Kosovo if the same right were applied for itself outside of Serbia.
What is unacceptable for anyone in Serbia is the fact that the Serbs are ethnically cleansed of Croatia. Why were the Croats allowed to expel the Serbs when they threatened the territorial integrity of Croatia, and the Serbs were not allowed to expel the Albanians from Kosovo when the territorial integrity of Serbia was threatened?
Obviously, America does not care about justice or international law. (I think arrogance is what will one day kill the west).
To make matters worse, America actively participated in the expulsion of Serbs from Croatia and in preventing the expulsion of Albanians from Kosovo. Is that justice? From my point of view, Kosovo is a part of Serbia occupied by America (Bonsteel).
One thing is for sure. Returning Kosovo to Serbia is impossible without a lot of blood. If the frustrations of the Serbs continue, one day we can expect massacres the likes of which have not been seen in the Balkans (because frustrations are at the root of the desire for revenge).
The only way to prevent new bloodshed is to introduce the rule of equal rights for all instead of the rule of American arrogance (Wild West).
So, if Kosovo has the right to secede from Serbia only because Albanians are the majority in Kosovo (thanks to the Turkish occupation… by the way, changing the borders under occupation is unacceptable and leads to new bloodshed, ethnic cleansing and massacres), then I will work for secession should be given to the Republic of Srpska as well as to the Republic of Srpska Kraina (which was demolished by America).
I don't see another solution. Otherwise, the Balkans could become the source of a new world war (we can already see the beginning of WW3 in Ukraine, which is directly related to the injustices committed against the Serbs during the 90s and the occupation of Kosovo by America… of course, America is only part of the fratricidal bloodshed the Balkans primarily includes Germany and Turkey with the support of England and France and other US puppets). I afraid, Serbia will be again accused for trigger new world war as in case of WW1 (but in reality, injustice will be root of new war same as in case of WW1)
As far as I know, the first law in history was passed in the 21st century BC. Today, America obviously thinks that laws no longer need to exist (as in the wild west – Obviously, America has not moved away since the time of the cowboys till today).
Kosovo and Albania are Islamic countries, why help Islamic countries to unite in Christian Europe. Is there a Christian country in Asia?
No unification, Kosovo is a province of Albania!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Haters??????????????? Get over it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!