Albania's Berisha: Union With Kosovo Not An Option

Albanian Prime Minister Sali Berisha

Albanian Prime Minister Sali Berisha says a union between Albania and neighboring ethnic-Albanian majority Kosovo is not an option being considered.

Berisha said December 16 that integrating with the European Union, without any change in borders, was the best option for both Albania and Kosovo to pursue.

He said that if Albania and Kosovo can succeed in joining the EU, they will both be in the best position ever in their history.

Kosovo's ethnic Albanian leadership declared independence from Serbia in 2008, nine years after NATO's air campaign against Serbia, and Kosovo's independence been recognized by more than 80 countries.

Serbia strongly objects to independence, insisting that Kosovo remains a southern Serbian territory.

compiled from agency reports