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Marjana Koçeku on the Serbian consulate: There is no comparison with Bujanovac, only 54 self-declared Serbs are in Shkodra!

2026-07-30 12:42:36Politikë SHKRUAR NGA REDAKSIA VOX
Marjana Koçeku on the Serbian consulate: There is no comparison with
Marko Djuric/Marjana Koceku

Marjana Koçeku, through a Facebook status, reacted after the announcement of the news by Serbian Foreign Minister Marko Djuric that Serbia and Albania reached an agreement in principle to open consular offices in Shkodra and Bujanovac.

She emphasized that the opening of a Serbian consulate in Shkodra is very strange, while asking the question "who does it serve?" Koçeku adds that if this news is true, then Foreign Minister Hoxha should answer the question as soon as possible.

FULL RESPONSE:

Serbian media these days have started spreading a news that I hope is not true. The Albanian Foreign Minister, Mr. Ferit Hoxha, and his Serbian counterpart, Mr. Marko Gjuric, have entered into talks to open a Serbian consulate in Shkodra, following the long-standing request and need to open an Albanian consulate in Bujanovac, where half of the population there is Albanian.

This was confirmed by the Serbian minister himself to the media, stating that, in principle, the parties have agreed on this diplomatic project. Meanwhile, the official announcement of the Albanian Embassy in Belgrade only mentions the opening of the Albanian consulate in Bujanovac, while there is no reference to the opening of the Serbian consulate in Shkodra.

There are many reasons for opening an Albanian consulate in Bujanovac and it is necessary, but opening a Serbian consulate in Shkodra is strange.

What exactly does the Serbian consulate in Shkodra want? Who does that consulate serve? These and many other questions should be answered by our Foreign Minister Mr. Hoxha as soon as possible, if this news is true.

According to the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations and international practice, the opening of consulates is usually related to the existence of a significant community of citizens of the sending state, with important economic, commercial or cultural interests, as well as the need to provide consular services, due to the flow of travel or exchanges. In the case of Shkodra, at least in public data, these elements do not result in being present in a proportion that would justify the opening of a Serbian consulate.

In the 2023 census, in the entire Shkodra region, only 54 people declared themselves as Serbs, while 106 declared themselves as Montenegrins. Also, 90 declared themselves as Bosniaks, 20 Macedonians and 26 Bulgarians. In total, in the entire Shkodra region, there are 296 people from Slavic-speaking communities, less than 0.2% of the population, of whom only 54 are Serbs.

This means that the opening of the Serbian consulate in Shkodra is not based at all on the real needs of the community. On the contrary, it makes it quite reasonable to suspect that we are dealing with a move with geopolitical interest on the part of Serbia.

However, before taking such steps, Serbia still has important unresolved issues with Kosovo, especially in light of the recent statement by Serbian Minister Paunović against Kosovo, which aroused reactions and concern. It would have been appropriate for the Albanian authorities to have also taken a stronger stance. But this has not happened and I am extremely impressed by the soft policies towards Serbia.

Historical experience has taught us that any development in relations with Serbia must be treated with caution and with a full assessment of the consequences. Precisely for this reason, any such diplomatic undertaking deserves transparency, public debate, and careful analysis in the function of the national interest.

The opening of a Serbian consulate in Shkodra would not serve the interests of Albanians at all, but only the interests of Serbia, further strengthening its positions in the region. This is not in line with either our national interests or Albania's Euro-Atlantic aspirations.

Serbia cannot be considered a close political partner as long as it continues to hold positions and pursue policies that often conflict with the interests of Albanians and Kosovo. Therefore, Albania must carefully consider every step that may affect the political balances of the region, always guided by national interest, support for Kosovo and our identity aspirations for the future.


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