Wrote: Festim Rizanaj
The Serbian-language media outlet “Alo.rs”, close to the government, published an article today claiming that Prime Minister Albin Kurti admitted his intention for a “Greater Albania”. The article is titled “KURTI ACCEPTED WHAT WE KNOW For a century and a half we have been working on the creation of a greater Albania”.
This article refers to Prime Minister Kurti's speech yesterday (June 10), on the 146th anniversary of the League of Prizren, where he is incorrectly quoted as saying, "We have been working for a century and a half to create a greater Albania."
After fact-checking by Hibrid.info, this quote from Kurti was not found in his speech, which was published in full on the official website of the Prime Minister's Office. (here)
Link to the article published on "Alo.rs":
https://www.alo.rs/vesti/kim/917452/kurti-priznao-ono-sto-smo-znali-vec-vek-i-po-rade-na-stvaranju-velike-albanije/vest (archive)
Parts of the article published on "Alo.rs" translated into Albanian:
"We have been working for a century and a half to create a greater Albania," Albin Kurti, prime minister of the fake state of Kosovo, said at a rally in Prizren. Not word for word, but his message was exactly that and more than clear to anyone who understands history and geopolitics. Of course, we knew this, however, it is not bad that he reminded us and assured even the last naive people who do not know (or pretend not to know) that the ultimate and true goal of the Albanian corps in the Balkans is a state that would include the territory of Albania, our southern province of Kosovo and Metohija, a large part of North Macedonia, Greece and Montenegro," "Alo.rs" is written at the beginning of the article..
However, based on Prime Minister Kurti's speech held in Prizren on the anniversary of the League of Prizren, it is concluded that the Serbian language medium "Alo.rs" quotes an unspoken statement by Kurti. (here)
What did Kurti say in Prizren?
Kurti, in his speech held in Prizren yesterday, did not mention the term "Greater Albania" at any time.
In his speech, Kurti mentions the historical aspect and the role of the League of Prizren in the unification of Albanians at that time, as well as the declaration of Independence of Albania and Kosovo, as he says: "The Albanian League of Prizren, over the decades and over the years, has continued to inspire us in the efforts of the Albanian people for independence and state formation. And this Complex has been a meeting place and symbol for the Albanian nation, demonstrating the roots of the birth of the Albanian state and the historical intention for national unity."
"This historical event was the cornerstone of our efforts for independence, which was later crowned on November 28, 1912, with the declaration of the Independence of Albania, and 96 years later, on February 17, 2008, with the declaration of the independence of Kosovo, thus realizing part of the League's program, which could not be completed in 1912."
Finally, Kurti highlights the aspirations of Albanians towards the European Union by advancing the values of democracy, justice and equality in their countries. (here)
"We must continue with dedication, close cooperation for the advancement of the values of democracy, justice and equality in our countries and our states. We must continue working unconditionally, towards the integration of the Western Balkan states together, in the North Atlantic Alliance and in the European Union, as the best future for Albanians and our neighboring nations. Let the political ideals of the Albanian League of Prizren inspire us today in our common journey towards the advancement of common interests and the political, military, economic and cultural strengthening of our states.".
The narrative of “Greater Albania” appears in Serbian-language media usually when certain events and holidays related to the Albanian nation take place. (see here, here and here)
Analyze:
The Serbian-language media outlet "Alo.rs" claimed that Prime Minister Albin Kurti, in his speech on the 146th anniversary of the League of Prizren, which was held yesterday, said, "we have been working for a century and a half to create a greater Albania", and that according to this media outlet, he thus expressed aspirations for a "greater Albania".
After verifying the facts, Kurti did not mention the term "Greater Albania" in his speech in Prizren.
Based on hibrid.info's working methodology, these claims fall into the "Conspiracy Theory" category.
Conspiracy theories
"Conspiracy theories" are considered to be informational content that contains a false or unverifiable description of a phenomenon, event or person, presenting it as part or the result of a secret plan ("conspiracy"). The characteristic of these contents is that they present a series of claims, presented as facts, between which cause-effect relationships are established, without providing any reliable evidence.