The same situation still continues in Presevo/Presheva Valley as Serbia, which does not express any increased interest in accelerating the journey towards EU membership, continues with the policy of violating the rights of people and minorities, especially of Albanians in many spheres of life. This was declared by Albanian MP in Parliament of Serbia in an exclusive interview with Albanian Daily News. According to him, Serbia uses every means to depopulate Albanian lands in those areas.

Asked about international relevant bodies' stance the MP said, unfortunately, for certain geopolitical interests, the policy of spoiling the autocrat Vucic, who has been left unchecked space in the domestic arena to strengthen his power, still continues.

MP Kamberi said he had

recently important meetings with the President, the Speaker, the Foreign Minister and the Minister of State for Cooperation with Parliament of Albania. "From all of them, I received support for greater commitment of Albania in international institutions to sensitize the difficult position of Albanians. We are waiting for the undertaking of concrete actions. What is more than clear is that the Presevo Valley urgently needs concrete support."

Speaking of the latest protests of Albanians, he said when the state ignores the institutional requirements in continuity, the street remains the other way of reaction and presentation of citizen dissatisfaction. "Therefore, our protests in Bujanoc, Presevo ??and Medvedja are intended to stimulate a popular reaction, openly express dissatisfaction with the imposed discrimination and encourage a proactive international reaction."

The status quo is intolerable in the Western Balkans, said MP Kamberi. "Serbia and the "Serbian World" is what is generating crises and security threats in the Balkans. The international community must finally stop its multi-chair balancing game. Until then, this situation that is fueling universal discontent will continue. In Serbia, there is citizen dissatisfaction with Vucic's rule, but there is still no serious opposition to channel and lead this dissatisfaction, " said Albanian MP Shaip Kamberi in the following interview:

Albanian Daily News: First of all, thank you for your contributions to Albanian Daily News which has included interesting interviews and analysis on your activities in Serbia Parliament (alone). Please what could you tell ADN's readers about the current situation in Presevo Valley? Are there any signs of improvement of their rights as promised by Belgrade, a candidate country for the EU or the situation is the same?

Albanian MP in Serb Parliament Shaip Kamberi: I also thank you for the space you offer me to present the problems of the Albanians of Presevo Valley, to sensitize the opposition to their situation.

The same situation still continues. Serbia, which does not express any increased interest in accelerating the journey towards EU membership, continues with the policy of violating the rights of people and minorities, especially Albanians in many spheres of life. The non-recognition of diplomas, the lack of economic prospects and especially the passivation of addresses are the goal of a perverting policy aimed at the depopulation of the Presevo Valley by Albanians. 

- As a follow up what international relevant bodies say on this subject as promised, their activities regarding the promotion of Albanians' rights and their defense as they ask for Serbs in Kosovo. Is the same standard applied for both communities in Kosovo and Serbia?

- What could be a positive innovation is the EU's finally ruling on passivation as a negative phenomenon, asking Serbia to report on this topic. The issues of the rule of law, the controlled judiciary, the non-respect of the basic rights of individuals and minorities, have not yet prompted any serious reaction from international institutions. Unfortunately, for certain geopolitical interests, the policy of spoiling the autocrat Vucic, who has been left unchecked space in the domestic arena to strengthen his power, still continues.

- Further what does Kosovo and Albania do in support of Albanians rights, especially in international bodies, and do you cooperate for the restoration of Albanians' rights?

- As you know, years ago Kosovo started a policy of direct financial assistance for the needs of Albanians in the Presevo Valley. By introducing it as an integral part of the State Budget, Kosova has institutionalized this aid. Alas, Belgrade, through the Ministry of Human Rights, intends to declare illegal the use of this fund that comes from Kosovo. Recently, I had important meetings with the President of the Republic of Albania, the Speaker of the Parliament, the Foreign Minister and the Minister of State for Cooperation with Parliament.

From all of them, I received support for greater commitment of Albania in international institutions to sensitize the difficult position of Albanians. We are waiting for the undertaking of concrete actions. What is more than clear is that the Presevo Valley urgently needs concrete support.

- Are you worried by the rising trend of numerous Albanians leaving their lands in Presevo Valley, a vacuum ready to be filled in by Serbs?

- The departure of Albanians is a deliberate policy of the government of Serbia. Discrimination, non-integration, non-recognition of degrees, economic disinvestment, militarization and passivation are mechanisms that serve to achieve this goal. Therefore, there is an urgent need for concrete action by both Albania and Kosovo. However, it is the international community, with the help of which we have reached three agreements with Serbia, that leads the process of advancing the rights of Albanians.

For us, the tendency to talk only about a minority, the Serbs in Kosovo, while ignoring the needs of the 22 non-Serb communities in Serbia, is unacceptable to us.

-There have been protests by Albanians in Presevo valley lately. Please do you plan to escalate your resistance against Serb genocide?

- When the state ignores the institutional requirements in continuity, the street remains the other way of reaction and presentation of citizen dissatisfaction. Therefore, our protests in Bujanoc, Presevo ??and Medvedja are intended to stimulate a popular reaction, openly express dissatisfaction with the imposed discrimination and encourage a proactive international reaction. However, there are also in our ranks those who raise the theory "let's not disturb Belgrade".

Such people think in the style of that slogan "When you live in Rome, don't go against the pope". But I hope that this defeatist policy is not widely spread and that the citizens' response is more comprehensive. "Happy slaves are the greatest enemies of freedom." We cannot and do not want to remain happy slaves, but active people who disagree with injustices. 

- Lastly what could you tell us about the situation in the Western Balkans and which are your expectations for the conflict between Kosovo and Serbia which doesn't give up its occupation scheme of parts of Kosovo territory. Do you believe the new US President and administration in Brussels will settle the conflict?

- It is important to wait and see what will be the policy of the new US administration for the Western Balkans. What place will the Balkans take in President Trump's priorities? Many things will depend on this.

But one thing is very clear. This status quo is intolerable. Serbia and the "Serbian World" is what is generating crises and security threats in the Balkans. The international community must finally stop its multi-chair balancing game. Until then, this situation that is fueling universal discontent will continue. In Serbia, there is citizen dissatisfaction with Vucic's rule, but there is still no serious opposition to channel and lead this dissatisfaction.