NORMALISATION OF RELATIONS BETWEEN SERBIA AND ALBANIA FROM 2008 UNTIL TODAY: CHALLENGES AND PERSPECTIVES

Savić Natalija (Natalija Savić, master student Fakulteta političkih nauka Univerziteta u Beogradu, i volonter u Institutu za međunarodnu politiku i privredu), natalija_savic@hotmail.com

Traditionally bad relations between Serbia and Albania reached their peak in 2008, which was marked by the unilateral proclamation of independence of Kosovo and Metohija. Hostility in communication has been maintained despite some attempts of relaxation of relations until the change of regimes in Serbia and Albania in 2013 and the signing of the Brussels agreement between Serbia and the so-called ”Republic of Kosovo”, with which have begun the new era in relations between these two states. aspiring to the membership in the European Union, Serbia and Albania have decided to prove that they are ready to cooperate on this path towards the common goal. However, besides the undisputed approach of two states and the establishment of high-level relations, significant challenges like the Kosovo question stand in the path towards the full normalisation. Therefore, the intention of the author is to describe the processes and events that have characterized the relations between Serbia and Albania from 2008 until today in order to understand better the current conditions. Relying on analysis and synthesis, the author will show that despite the expressed aspiration for better and improved relations, Serbia and Albania are still far from an equal partnership, honest friendship and essential understanding in their inter-relations which continue to be burdened with numerous unresolved issues of high importance.

Keywords: Albania, Serbia, international relations, the year 2008, Kosovo and Metohija, normalisation, open issues, perspective