As 2024 is coming to an end and Europe (EU), and the world is preparing to start 2025 an overview of the current year shows that it has been marked by a succession of major crises that have affected every aspect of international order leading to disorder with unknown and unexpected dangers.

The war flames in different parts of the world and the disastrous fighting in Ukraine have threatened Europe, a war theatre of two tragic wars in the last century.

Are the people of the old continent prepared to experience what is happening in Ukraine, which as a senior political analyst said it will hardly be like it was before, while the loss of lives is frightening. The same thing can be said about the repercussions of long unending wars in the Middle East (Gaza, Syria,

African countries). If Europe's money would not have been 'wasted' into the war machine of Ukraine, people would have seen better days.

Of course, no one in Europe would accept another humiliation occupation by any big power but will 2025 bring peace in Ukraine, which is possible through dialogue between Russia and Ukraine as an alternative that is being seen by many authoritarian politicians like the way to find peace and cease the bloodshed. Undoubtedly Europe and the world would be more secure and safer with one less bloody war.

Matters on this vital dilemma of the existence of the world when the use of nuclear weapons was mentioned by Putin were topics of discussion with the Croatian Ambassador to Tirana, Zlatko Kramaric, a seasoned politician. Of course, we will start with Croatia trying to learn how this country is leaving behind 2024 and the perspectives for 2025.

Albanian Daily News: Mr. Ambassador, as an EU and NATO country, how does Zagreb see the situation in the Western Balkans, especially after the last Serb terrorist act against Kosovo, and the perspective for 2025 for Pristina and Belgrade to achieve peace, settlement of their disputes?

Croatian Ambassador Zlatko Kramaric: From all regions, political relations in the Western Balkans are the most important for Zagreb. Finally, Croatia borders three out of six WB countries, so it is entirely

understandable that Zagreb closely monitors all political processes in that part of Europe with great concern. Therefore, it is not at all surprising that Croatia strongly supports all positive political processes in this part of Europe. Zagreb is interested in these countries becoming full

members of the EU as soon as possible, because that membership guarantees lasting stability and security for that part of Europe.

Unfortunately, we are not convinced that the political elites of these countries have a sincere willingness to fully meet all the necessary prerequisites (primarily, an unconditional commitment to European values such as the rule of law, media freedom, institutional

independence, which ensure legal and other forms of security for all citizens, adherence to the law without which it is impossible to become a full-fledged member of this large European family. Namely, it is not enough for political elites in these countries to declaratively commit to these universal values while, in practice and in real life, they entirely ignore them.

It is high time for the international community to realize that it is counterproductive to support politicians in this region who prefer authoritarian methods of governance, basing their political power on cheap populism, all forms of manipulation, and ethno-nationalism.

The latest incident in northern Kosovo is a result of such manipulative policies that appeal to the basest instincts of their citizens—policies that rely solely on the constant provocation of political crises, creating a perpetual sense of insecurity and fear among their people.

This type of (bio)politics must not be rewarded but must be continuously deconstructed and exposed, and its harmful consequences must be highlighted. Therefore, Zagreb expects the political background of this incident to be revealed as soon as possible and for a thorough investigation to be conducted to identify the political forces responsible for continuously generating crisis situations in this region.

Namely, it is more than clear that anti-European policies also operate in this region—policies directed from other political centers. This is a fact that cannot be ignored and to which a clear position must be taken.

- Mr. Ambassador, the EU authority has assigned new emissaries to mediate between Kosovo and Serbia and the word goes around that after the last Serb terrorist act, it seems pointless if Vucic doesn't punish the culprits and gives up the expansion policy. What do you think about the created situation?

- We received a non-paper in which Serbia distanced itself from any involvement in this latest incident, the sabotage of the water supply network in northern Kosovo, which could have jeopardized the water supply for a large part of Kosovo. However, alongside this document,

we also received firm assurances that a serious investigation into the incident will be conducted. This is a positive step that certainly deserves praise.

Namely, there is no doubt that official Belgrade is aware that the international community no longer trusts it, as no one in Serbia has yet been prosecuted for the terrorist attack that occurred in September last year—the Banjska case. Instead of being imprisoned, Radoicic freely roams Serbia, while regime media celebrate him as the greatest national hero. I believe it is high time for the international community to put an end to this hypocrisy of official Serbian policy: one thing is said abroad, and something entirely different is done at home.

Only appropriate punishment for the main actors of such terrorist activities can restore the international public's trust in the independence of Serbian judicial institutions. It is not in line with democratic norms for the president of a country to make statements in which he promises (even setting deadlines) that cases will be resolved by the end of the year.

Institutions must enforce the law independently of the president's will. Serbia, as far as we know, is still not a monarchy.

- Let me turn to the EU in line with what was said above: will Brussels find new ways and means to be a new mechanism of its people and a strong voice in the world affairs?

- It is high time for Brussels to change its policy towards the Western Balkans. Namely, it is more than evident that all policies based on geopolitical interests while consciously ignoring most of the values on which Western European civilization and culture are founded are doomed to failure. We are aware that, when it comes to politics, it cannot be reduced solely to its moral dimension, but we must also be aware that politics without that dimension is not politics at all; without morality, it is merely a demonstration of brute power.

I want to believe that the leaders in Brussels are aware of this fact and that they will, in the coming period, abandon all those unsuccessful political strategies that have not yielded any positive results in terms of political and security relations in the Western Balkans.

Brussels, in the process of EU enlargement, particularly when it comes to W. Balkans countries, must be strict about the criteria that candidate countries need to meet. At the same time, it must be fair when a candidate country adequately fulfills all the required criteria. This is the only way to encourage genuine commitment to reforms and strengthen confidence in the European integration process.

However, when it comes to the functioning of the EU, we must keep in mind that the political situation in Germany and France, the two most powerful EU member states, is not at all favorable. In France, the government has fallen, and Germany will have to hold early elections at the beginning of next year. That said, things should not be overly dramatized - these are stable countries where institutions are independent and function even in crisis situations. Nevertheless, we must also be aware that certain processes will be slowed down.

For a while, it will be unclear who the relevant interlocutor will be for the newly elected U.S. president. Namely, we are aware that no crisis situation in Europe or the world can be resolved without a clear agreement between the U.S. and the EU. More or less Ukraine is seen to turn into a sort of confrontation of Europe with Russia.

- But not all members of the block follow that line and in some of them there are political forces that have not 'quarantined' Moscow keeping open all possibilities of finding a settlement between Moscow and Kiev to end the war and sit at the table to achieve peace...

- Without clear unity among all EU member states and the United States, it is impossible to resolve the issue of Ukraine. Any individual maneuvering plays into the hands of the aggressor, Russia. The status quo is unsustainable! It is, in fact, a continuation of aggression and war. Much is expected of Donald Trump. After all, on several occasions, he has promised

that his election would mean the establishment of peace. However, this promise lacks clear substance. It is by no means irrelevant what the content of this peace will be. It is difficult to imagine a return to the situation before February 2022, let alone to the conditions before 2014.

No one mentions Minsk I or Minsk II anymore. I want to believe that violations of international law and aggression will not be rewarded. Of course, I am also aware that it is impossible to achieve a military victory over Russia. Likewise, I am not sufficiently informed about the prevailing sentiment within the Russian public. I want to believe that Russians themselves are aware of their own human losses, which are also horrifying. Someone once said that this is no longer a war over territories but over populations. After the collapse of communism, Russia experienced massive depopulation. It is speculated that it lost over 17 million people! As no one is immigrating to Russia, it is forced to somehow compensate for this enormous loss. War is certainly not an adequate way to address this deficit. It would be wiser to find other means of solving this truly significant global problem. Namely, even in countries with excellent social policies, the phenomenon of mortality dramatically exceeding birth rates, persists.

- Mr. Ambassador, how do you see the perspective of the EU-US relations as both big allies have new leadership? Could they turn a new leaf turning Brussels-Washington ties like they were after the Second World War, of course in a new situation?

- It is high time for a new cooperation agreement between Washington and Brussels, one that will provide adequate responses to new global challenges - ranging from demographic issues to matters of ecology, climate change, and beyond. This agreement should address not only the diagnosis but also the right solutions for issues such as migration, ending conflicts in

Ukraine, Gaza, and Syria, stabilizing political relations in the Western Balkans, the South China Sea, and calming the militaristic spirit in North Korea. Additionally, it should establish dialogue with Russia, China, and countries like Brazil, India, Saudi Arabia, and South Africa.

There are also pressing questions related to energy, international trade, tax systems, and tariffs. In short, the time has come for a new Atlantic Charter, which will encompass all relevant answers to the most urgent global issues.

- To conclude, Mr. Kramaric, what could you tell ADN's readers about the bilateral relationship between Albania and Croatia in 2024 and the perspective for 2025?

- I have been in Albania for more than five years, and I am truly impressed by the progress your country has made - in every respect and in every segment of society. I want to believe that Croatia could play a more significant role in this evident progress. I feel that there is room for the already more-than-correct political relations between our countries to be enriched with additional content.

The fact that we are both full members of NATO, and that Albania's political elites, and even more so its citizens, are unequivocally committed to EU integration, makes it clear that there is no serious obstacle to closer cooperation in all fields between our two countries. The Zagreb–Tirana axis can and must become a guarantee of stability for this region.