Albania vows to help Serbs in Kosovo
(TIRANA) - Albania on Tuesday vowed to help Serbs in Kosovo integrate into the territory, which is dominated by ethnic Albanians, saying the move would help democracy.
"The Serb community in Kosovo brings very important values for a democratic Kosovo and Albania will assist in its integration," Foreign Minister Ilir Meta told reporters.
"The Albanian government will contribute to the construction of houses for Serbs who have fled Kosovo" since the end of 1998-1999 war there, as well as "cultural and community centres in the municipalities with Serb majorities," Meta said.
Relations are still strained between the Serbs and the ethnic Albanians in the territory after the conflict between separatist Kosovo fighters and forces loyal to late Serbian strongman Slobodan Milosevic.
The fighting left around 10,000 people dead, the majority ethnic Albanians.
Some 120,000 Serbs have fled Kosovo since 1999, following the withdrawal of Belgrade's forces from the breakaway territory.
Kosovo unilaterally declared independence from Serbia in 2008 and so far, 64 countries have recognised its independence, including the United States and most nations of the European Union.
Serbia does not recognise the territory's independence.
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