As part of his tour of the UK and Ireland, Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti recently visited Queen's University. In his speech to students, faculty, and citizens, he addressed parallels Kosovo shares with Northern Ireland, specifically a shared history of conflict, complicated relations with the EU, and the challenges of leading a divided country.

Queen's Shared Education Initiative

Earlier in the day, the Prime Minister visited St. Matthew's PS as part of Queen's Shared Education Initiative. The Shared Education Initiative supports peacebuilding across the globe, including in Kosovo, by promoting integration in schools.

Commenting on his experience at the school, he emphasised that communities in both Kosovo and Northern Ireland aspire to embody two core principles: fostering inclusion and supporting diversity.

^{Sarah Loat, teacher and shared education co-ordinator at St Matthew's PS; Professor Tony Gallagher, Queen's; Dr Edona Maloku, Queen's; Albin Kurti, Prime Minister of Kosovo; Professor Joanne Hughes, Queen's; and Simon McLean, Principal of Nettlefield PS}

Challenges faced by Kosovo

Prime Minister Kurti also spoke about the challenges Kosovo faces on a global scale, including the war in Ukraine. His commitment to enhancing security in Eastern Europe aligns with the concerns expressed by other European leaders regarding the current shortage of military resources available on the continent.

Additionally, he echoed increasing concerns over NATO's reliability if the war in Ukraine spread to other parts of Europe, aligning with the worries expressed by other European leaders regarding the current shortage of military resources available on the continent.

Importance of NATO

However, the Prime Minister also spoke of the importance of NATO to Europe as a whole, particularly to vulnerable Eastern European countries. In particular, he highlighted Kosovo's close relationship with the alliance.

"He emphasised that communities in both Kosovo and Northern Ireland aspire to embody two core principles: fostering inclusion and supporting diversity."

Specifically, he mentioned NATO's involvement in the Kosovo War in 1999, stating that the alliance is forever a part of Kosovo's history and vice versa. Regarding Kosovo's membership in NATO, the Prime Minister noted that because Serbia, a NATO member, does not recognise Kosovo as an independent state, it would be impossible for Kosovo to obtain the unanimous vote needed for membership.

^{The Provost, Stuart Elborn; Ambassador of Republic of Kosovo His Excellency Mr Ilir Kapiti; Secretary of State Chris Heaton-Harris MP; Prime Minister of Kosovo Mr Albin Kurti; Outgoing UK Ambassador to Kosovo Mr Nicholas Abbott; Professor Joanne Hughes, Centre for Shared Education}

However, in March of 2022, Kosovo's Parliament passed a resolution that urged the government to pursue membership in NATO and the EU, amongst other international organisations.

Kosovo's economic potential

Keeping with the resolution, in December 2022, Prime Minister Kurti confirmed Kosovo's ambition to join the European Union with a formal bid. In his speech, he emphasised Pristina's growing tech sector. He also spoke of the comparable roles that Pristina and Belfast's growing economies have played in their respective countries' peacebuilding processes.

"Prime Minister Kurti's message serves as an essential reminder of the enduring importance of optimism, hope, and passion in navigating these turbulent times we are living through."

The Prime Minister also stated how Pristina's thriving industries showcase Kosovo's economic potential and intergrational importance. Kosovo's growing economic stability signifies its commitment to modernisation and innovation, which aligns closely with the EU's values and objectives.

Parallels to Northern Ireland

Another parallel the Prime Minister drew was the historical divisions in both Northern Ireland and Kosovo. He said that while Kosovo has no religious divide, a language barrier exists in his country. He mentioned how his generation is the last to speak predominantly Serbian, whereas younger generations speak predominantly Albanian.

Prime Minister Kurti explained that it is important to be inclusive of all languages and highlighted that Serbian is Kosovo's second national language. He also mentioned that Bosnian, Gorani, and Romani are also considered official languages in municipalities where they are the dominant language.

^{Prime Minister of Kosovo Mr Albin Kurti and The Provost, Stuart Elborn}

Final thoughts

Prime Minister Kurti left the audience with the inspiring message: 'hope over fear and passion over cynicism.' In a time marked by uncertainty and division, his words resonate profoundly, emphasising the power of optimism and determination in overcoming challenges. In the face of rising populism, polarisation, and global crises, he stated that embracing hope and passion will foster unity.

Prime Minister Kurti's message serves as an essential reminder of the enduring importance of optimism, hope, and passion in navigating these turbulent times we are living through.

His insights on various geopolitical matters, especially those concerning the Balkans region, were thought-provoking and shed light on crucial aspects of international relations. The opportunity to hear directly from a prominent figure like Prime Minister Kurti greatly enriched my and my fellow peers' understanding of global politics and diplomacy.

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Emily Scott International Relations and Politics | Undergraduate student | Washington D.C, USA My name is Emily Scott and I’m originally from Washington D.C. I am currently in my first year studying International Relations and Politics. The best thing about my course so far has been being able to attend seminars of distinguished guest speakers. My favourite activities around Belfast include going to the Belfast Central Library and trying different restaurants in Queen’s Quarter. Other hobbies of mine include swimming, reading, and watching films. On campus, I like to spend my time mostly at the McClay library and the PEC and I’m always looking for new study spots. My all time favourite spots around campus include the Botanic Gardens and I love exploring the new exhibits at Ulster Museum.