Belgrade – The international conference "Serbs and Albanians – Which Way Forward," organized by the “Tanjug” agency and the Albanian “ATA” agency, was completed yesterday afternoon by the conclusion that the Serbs and Albanians were not hostile nations.

During the conference, the Serbian, Albanian and international experts talked about the relations between the two nations, the historical, political and international circumstances that had generated the current relations, as well as about in which direction they could be developed in the future.

The meeting was opened by Ivica Dacic, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Serbia, who noted that the main bone of contention between the Serbs and Albanians was the issue of Kosovo and Metohija, and that Serbia believed that dialogue was the imperative for seeking solutions to all problems and conflicts.

The community must be involved in resolving the relations between the Serbs and Albanians, since mutual prejudices and lack of knowledge about each other have existed for a long time, said Sonja Liht, the Chairperson of the Belgrade Fund for Political Excellence.  

Ms. Liht said that the academic community and the media had a key role in the process of further cooperation, but also noted that the two countries were not the only ones who were in such a difficult position.

“Such is the case of Poland and Germany, too. However, there is an ongoing debate there among the historians of the two countries. I think it is very important. Let's let the experts talk about the history and help them sit together, while we should focus on the future by being proactive, "Ms. Liht said.  

She stressed that an exchange of experts of the two countries was important.  

“The exchange of experts is something that is necessary. Do not forget that there is a huge brain drain of young people in both countries, as well as in Kosovo and Metohija. At the end of the “ballad“, the elderly, who will gradually reach the end of their lives,  will remain the only participants in the debate, " Ms. Liht stated.  

Demo Berisa, the President of the Albanian community in Serbia, said that both the Serbs and Albanians had a lot in common, but were still not frank and open with one another.

He noted that the Albanians lived in 150 out of 157 municipalities and cities in central Serbia, and wondered about the positive examples.  He also said that, for example, the Pec Patriarchate was saved by the Albanians, and that apart from it, there were many other things that the two sides had in common.

We, as representative of the Albanian community in Serbia, are willing to apologize and give a hand but we expect forgiveness from Serbia, too," Mr. Berisa said.  

“Let's leave the issue of boundaries for the very end, since there are a lot of positive issues in everyday life about which we could cooperate, "Mr. Berisa said.  

Source: “Tanjug” news agency and Coordination Body