US Ambassador in Albania Donald Lu criticized Edi Rama’s for hinting about a potential unification of Albania and Kosovo, if both countries feel rejected from the European Union.

“The US government supports the sovereignty of Kosovo and Albania. We are against any careless discussion for unification. It would be an obstacle for the stability in the region and for both countries road towards EU”, Lu said for BIRN.

In an interview with Politico, published in 18 April, Rama said that if EU closed its doors to the West Balkans countries, then smaller unions could occur, such as Albania’s with Kosovo.

Rama insisted that was not what he wished, but added that if EU fails to integrate the West Balkans anything could happen.

“The only way to keep the Balkans in this pacific and cooperating spirit is to keep the road to EU open. No one would like to turn from themselves and look for smaller unions; everyone would like to join the bigger union. But, unless there’s hope, perspective, space, then smaller unions may occur”, Rama said.

Kosovo President Hashim Thaçi echoed Rama’s statement the next day, angrily accusing EU of “lack of vision towards the region”.

Serbian politicians condemned Rama’s and Tahçi’s declarations as “irresponsible and dangerous”. Serbia still has territorial claims to Kosovo, refusing to recognize the country’s independence since 2008. Most of EU members have recognized Kosovo’s independence, while Serbia, Russia and some other countries have not.