ALBANIA: STATE OF THE NATION (ICG Balkans Report N° 87)
ALBANIA: STATE OF THE NATION (ICG Balkans Report N° 87)

Author(s): Author Not Specified
Subject(s): Governance, Government/Political systems, International relations/trade, Peace and Conflict Studies
Published by: ICG International Crisis Group
Keywords: Albanian nation - Albanian state;
Summary/Abstract: In an effort to consolidate the gains made during the last year – namely the ‘liberation’ of Kosovo from Belgrade’s rule – Albanians from both sides of the Kosovo border are endeavouring to weaken the structural division between Albania and Kosovo. The improvement of transportation and communication links is aimed at providing Kosovo with access to an Adriatic sea port, whilst helping to alleviate the chronic unemployment in Albania’s northern districts by re-establishing traditional trading links between towns on both sides of the border. Such moves, however, are being interpreted by some of Albania’s neighbours as the first steps in the process of creating a Greater Albania. This is strenuously denied by both Albanian and Kosovo Albanian leaders who, despite acknowledging their nation’s desire at some point in the future to see a unification of all Albanians into one state, recognise that for the foreseeable future the Albanians of Albania have different and far more pressing issues to address from those in the former Yugoslavia, and vice versa.

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