Prime Minister Edi Rama said it was too early to express optimism about recent political developments in Serbia and their potential impact on the region’s European integration process.

Speaking at a discussion in Dublin, Ireland, with European and Balkan experts and diplomats, organised by the Institute of International and European Affairs (IIEA) under the title “Albania’s European Journey: From Aspiration to Integration”, Rama highlighted the European Commission’s concerns over Serbia’s previous administration, particularly regarding the rule of law and compliance with key EU requirements.

“It is far too early to say with any certainty what comes next,” Rama said.

He described Serbia’s political developments as a social and political experiment, referring to the so-called Student List and its approach to selecting candidates for parliament and government positions.

“Serbia is going through a social and political experiment with the so-called Student List and its method of selecting and electing people who will serve in parliament or government. This is something quite new in many respects,” he said.

Addressing the potential impact of these developments on regional relations, Rama stressed that, from Albania’s perspective, Belgrade had yet to demonstrate a clear willingness to address the key issues affecting regional stability and integration.

“As long as Serbia does not adopt an open approach towards Kosovo and the normalisation of relations with it, the ghosts of the past will continue to haunt Belgrade and prevent the Serbian nation from undergoing the much-needed catharsis that has yet to take place,” Rama said.