Wrote: Festim Rizanaj
Deputy Prime Minister of Serbia, Aleksandar Vullin, has stated that the creation of "Greater Albania" is a project supported by Europe, describing it as an act against Serbia and the interests of the Serbian people.
He also emphasized that the joint parliamentary session between Kosovo and Albania, held on December 20, 2024 in Pristina, was not just a gathering of Albanians, but a hostile act against Serbia and the Serbian community.
Serbian Deputy Prime Minister, Vullin, made these claims while commenting on the message of Albanian Prime Minister, Edi Rama, during the joint session of the Kosovo and Kosovo parliaments.
This claim of his was published in several Serbian-language media. (here, here)
However, Vullin's claim is not based on facts and his interpretation is considered a conspiracy theory, with no clear basis in reality.
Vullin's interpretation and Rama's statement
Aleksandar Vullin interpreted the message of the Albanian Prime Minister, Edi Rama, during the joint session of the parliaments of Kosovo and Albania, interpreting it as support for the creation of a "Greater Albania".
However, Rama's statements do not support these claims. In his speech to the Kosovo Assembly, Rama stressed the importance of Kosovo's European path as an independent and sovereign state. Among other things, he called for the freezing of the dialogue with Serbia due to the lack of progress and Serbia's non-implementation of agreements. Rama suggested that Kosovo start a process of agreement with the EU, separating itself from the reciprocal dependence with Serbia and strengthening the connection with the European Union.
"At this crucial stage for its path to European and Euro-Atlantic integration, Kosovo must freeze, cool down as you say, the bilateral dialogue with Serbia without delay and aim to normalize relations with its northern neighbor through bilateral dialogue with the European Union, severing the umbilical cord of nationalist reciprocity with Serbia and connecting the umbilical cord of Europeanist reciprocity with the European Union.". (here)
These statements clearly demonstrate Rama's efforts to promote Kosovo's European integration, while Vullin's interpretation remains without factual basis.
In addition, in joint session held between the Assembly of Kosovo and that of Albania in Pristina, discussed cooperation between the two countries, pledging through a final declaration that they will support each other in the international arena. Special focus was given to strengthening economic cooperation and foreign policy, while during the session there was no statement directed against Serbian citizens.
Vullin also stated that "Greater Albania" is a project supported by Europe.
Recently, the leaders of the European Union and those of the Western Balkans met on December 18 in Brussels, where through a final declaration they reaffirmed their commitment to the integration of the region into the EU and the enlargement process. The declaration states: “The future of the Western Balkans lies in our Union. We reaffirm once again our full and clear commitment to the prospect of membership of the Western Balkans in the European Union. Enlargement is a geostrategic investment in peace, security, stability and prosperity.".
Also at this summit, the EU praised the commitment of the Western Balkan countries to European values, underlining the importance of respecting international law, democracy, fundamental rights and the rule of law. The countries of the region were also urged to resolve their differences and continue working towards meeting the necessary standards for membership.
For more, European union did not support the concept of "Greater Albania", but support preserving the territorial integrity of all Western Balkan countries.
Similar claims from the Serbian side
Recently, a similar claim was made by the former Minister of Foreign Affairs of the former Yugoslavia, Živadin Jovanović, who was quoted in the article published on December 18 by the Serbian media outlet "Informer.rs". Jovanovic said that discriminatory methods are being practiced in Kosovo against Serbs and that the situation is escalating, accusing the European Union and NATO of supporting these actions. He added that the real goal of these partners is the creation of a "Greater Albania" and the weakening of Serbia.
The narrative of “Greater Albania” often appears in Serbian-language media and in the political discourse of Serbian officials, especially when certain events and holidays related to the Albanian nation take place. This narrative is used to criticize and describe as a threat any manifestation or initiative that, according to the Serbian interpretation, could suggest the unification of Albanian territories into a common state.
Moreover, this narrative is often present during events that symbolize the strengthening of Albanian-Albanian ties, such as national holidays, commemorations, and official meetings aimed at improving relations and cooperation in the region. (see here, here, here and here)
Analyze:
Deputy Prime Minister of Serbia, Aleksandar Vullin, has stated that the creation of "Greater Albania" is a project supported by Europe, describing it as an act against Serbia and the interests of the Serbian people, while emphasizing that the last joint assembly of Kosovo and Albania was a hostile act against Serbia and the Serbian community.
Vullini made these claims after the statement of the Albanian Prime Minister, Edi Rama, regarding the "freezing of talks with Serbia", a statement that was made during the joint session of the parliaments of the two countries on December 20, 2024 in Pristina. This statement was also published in several Serbian-language media.
However, Vullin's claims are not based on facts and are considered a "conspiracy theory", with no clear basis in reality.
Reasoning:
"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.