Foreign Affairs Committee on June 9th, 2026

[The Chair, Liberal, Ahmed Hussen]

I call this meeting to order.

Welcome to meeting number 39 of the House of Commons Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Development.

Pursuant to Standing Order 108(2) and the motion adopted by the committee on Thursday, February 12, the committee is resuming its study of the security situation in the Balkans.

Today's meeting is taking place in a hybrid format, pursuant to the Standing Orders.

I would now like to welcome our witness for the first hour.

We have, from the Embassy of the Republic of Kosovo, His Excellency—

[Rob Oliphant, Liberal, Don Valley West, ON]

I have a point of order.

Given the time and the fact that we only have one witness here, would it be okay with you and the witness if we just went to 4:30, so we can have a longer time with multiple witnesses?

If he wants a full hour, that would also be fine.

[The Chair, Liberal, Ahmed Hussen]

Yes. In fact, the ambassador told me that he would prefer a shorter time period. He doesn't want to do an hour, so we will aim for about 40 minutes.

[Rob Oliphant, Liberal, Don Valley West, ON]

We'd love to have him for an hour, of course.

[The Chair, Liberal, Ahmed Hussen]

That's not his wish.

We have His Excellency Adriatik Kryeziu, the Republic of Kosovo's ambassador to Canada.

Up to five minutes will be given for opening remarks, after which we will proceed with rounds of questions from members.

I understand you will go a little over five minutes. We will indulge you, knowing that you're giving up some of your time for the later period.

I now invite His Excellency to begin his—

[Alexis Brunelle-Duceppe, Bloc, Lac-Saint-Jean, QC]

I have a point of order, Mr. Chair.

What is the committee's policy? When there is a vote, how much time do we have to return to the committee? I just want to know your policy because I left the chamber, arrived here, and we began. I feel like we had five minutes between the end of the vote and our return here. I just want to know how much time you normally allow for getting from the chamber to the meeting room.

[The Chair, Liberal, Ahmed Hussen]

My approach is to wait for enough members to form a quorum before we start. We couldn't really start without your presence, so I waited for you to arrive. Then we started.

[Alexis Brunelle-Duceppe, Bloc, Lac-Saint-Jean, QC]

At the committee meetings I've attended, we were normally given at least 10 minutes to get back to the meeting room. After the vote, we have to gather our things and come here. Please keep that in mind. That's just a little reminder, Mr. Chair. Thank you.

[The Chair, Liberal, Ahmed Hussen]

Thank you.

Your Excellency, please proceed.

[H.E Adriatik Kryeziu, Ambassador of the Republic of Kosovo to Canada, Embassy of the Republic of Kosovo]

Hello, everyone.

Honourable Ahmed Hussen, chair of the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Development, and honourable members of the committee, thank you very much for having me here and for taking the time. It's a good opportunity to address today's security situation in the western Balkans, particularly the developments that directly and indirectly affect the Republic of Kosovo and our people.

I would like to begin by expressing Kosovo's deep appreciation of its long-standing partnership with Canada and Canada's continuing support for peace, democracy, human rights and a Euro-Atlantic future for Kosovo and the wider region. We also highly value Canada's outstanding support for Kosovo's membership in all the international organizations, as well as its broader efforts to advance international recognition for Kosovo.

Mr. Chairman, Kosovo remains firmly committed to peace, democracy, regional co-operation and Euro-Atlantic integration. Since declaring our independence in 2008, we have built a strong democratic institution, strengthened the rule of law and combatted corruption and other negative phenomena, despite operating in the region's historically fragile security environment.

Today, the security situation in the western Balkans is generally stable. However, it remains fragile because of Serbia's hostile attitude towards Kosovo. The region—and Kosovo in particular—continues to face pressure stemming from Serbia's refusal to recognize Kosovo's independence, its ongoing support for parallel and illegal structures that seek to undermine the sovereignty and constitutional order of the Republic of Kosovo and its territorial ambitions towards neighbouring states in the region.

The most serious security incident in recent years occurred in September 2023 in Banjska in northern Kosovo, when an organized and heavily armed paramilitary terrorist group launched an attack against Kosovo's territory and its border police, resulting in the death of Sergeant Afrim Bunjaku. Kosovo police successfully repelled the group and forced them back into Serbian territory. During the operation, Kosovo authorities seized a substantial cache of military-grade weapons, explosives and other equipment valued at several million dollars, confirming that this was a highly serious, well-planned attack carried out with significant logistical support and linked to individuals closely associated with the Serbian leadership, led by President of Serbia Aleksandar Vučić.

This incident underscores the fact that security risks in the region remain real and that accountability is essential for long-term stability. Kosovo continues to insist that the perpetrators of this terrorist attack be brought to justice. This call for the surrender of the perpetrators was also raised recently by a distinguished Canadian diplomat and senior NATO official, Ambassador Kevin Hamilton, during his official visit to Pristina last month. Now your ambassador is also the North Atlantic Treaty Organization's deputy assistant secretary general for partnerships. Kevin Hamilton has publicly made clear that Serbia is responsible for what really happened in northern Kosovo in September 2023.

We take this opportunity to call upon Canada—as we have been doing—to increase its diplomatic engagements and to urge Serbia to extradite, to Kosovo, the perpetrators of this unprecedented terrorist attack in northern Kosovo.

We work closely with international partners, including NATO and KFOR, to maintain peace and stability, as well as to prevent escalation. We remain focused on monitoring criminal networks and organized gangs, strengthening the rule of law and guaranteeing security and equal treatment for all citizens, including members of the Serbian community. These actions are law enforcement measures and should not be viewed as policies directed against any ethnic groups. Kosovo's constitutional framework and legal system provide extensive protections for all communities in Kosovo.

While the rights of minority communities in Kosovo are protected according to the highest democratic standards, the situation of ethnic Albanians living in southern Serbia, in the Presheva Valley, remains a matter of serious concern with respect to human rights, equal citizenship and compliance with European standards for the protection of national minorities.

One of the most serious concerns relates to the practice commonly referred to as “address deactivation”, through which thousands of ethnic Albanians are alleged to have been removed from civil registries, thereby losing—or facing significant obstacles in accessing—personal documentation, voting rights and other public services.

Serbia continually calls for the highest standards regarding the rights of Serbs in Kosovo while failing to provide a comparable level of protection and rights to Albanians living in the Presheva Valley.

For this reason, the Government of Kosovo has consistently advocated for the inclusion of the rights and concerns of Albanians in Presheva within the Kosovo–Serbia dialogue process and has called for closer monitoring by the international community, including Canada.

Mr. Chairman, the broader geopolitical context cannot be ignored. Russia’s aggression against Ukraine has demonstrated how regional tensions can be exploited by external actors seeking to undermine democratic societies. The Balkans and Kosovo are not immune to these pressures.

Kosovo remains fully aligned with Euro-Atlantic foreign and security policies, including sanctions against the Russian Federation, and it remains committed to contributing to both regional and international stability. Kosovo’s strategic direction is clear: membership in NATO, integration into the European Union, strong partnerships with democratic allies and respect for international law.

Kosovo’s vision is that of a peaceful region founded on sovereign equality, mutual respect and good neighbourly relations. We remain fully committed to the European Union-facilitated dialogue with Serbia, emphasizing that normalization must be based on the implementation of existing agreements we have reached with Serbia and on mutual recognition as the foundation for lasting peace and long-term regional stability.

Mr. Chairman, the western Balkans also face broader external influences that affect regional stability. Serbia, fully aligned with the Russian Federation, continues to exert a destabilizing influence through disinformation campaigns, political pressure and efforts to deepen divisions both within and among states in the region. Beyond Kosovo, these activities are also evident in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro and North Macedonia; here, institutional stability and the Euro-Atlantic orientation of these countries must be safeguarded.

At the same time, China’s economic engagement and growing presence in the western Balkans should be viewed within the broader geo-economics context, in which economic development, strategic competition and the political orientation of the region intersect. We believe that all external partnerships should strengthen rather than weaken the Euro-Atlantic integration and orientation of our region. In this context, Kosovo's position is consistent: The future of the western Balkans lies in full—and as rapid as possible—integration into NATO and the European Union.

Despite the fact that all countries of the region are part of the belt and road initiative, the Republic of Kosovo did not join the BRI and has followed careful relations with China. In this regard, Kosovo has consulted with its EU and Euro-Atlantic partners.

Mr. Chairman, Kosovo is not merely a beneficiary of security; it is also a contributor to it. We are developing professional, democratic and multi-ethnic security institutions that work closely with NATO member states and partners. Through concrete programs, agreements and co-operation initiatives, we are pleased to be advancing this partnership with Canada as well.

Kosovo firmly believes that NATO enlargement has historically been one of the most effective instruments for securing peace and stability in the western Balkans and in Europe. Kosovo's membership in NATO would strengthen regional deterrence, reduce security vulnerabilities and further consolidate stability throughout the western Balkans.

We are fully aware that NATO membership requires consensus among allies and a sustained commitment to reform. Accordingly, Kosovo remains dedicated to meeting all necessary standards, obligations and responsibilities associated with the membership. Canada's role is particularly important in this regard. Therefore, we encourage Canada to continue supporting Kosovo's path toward NATO membership at the earliest possible opportunity. We strongly believe that it's high time to move on with the admission of Kosovo as a fully fledged member of NATO.

NATO is in the DNA of Kosovo and its Kosovo security forces. It would be a natural process for Kosovo to have a seat among other allies, contributing with all capacities and efforts.

Such support is essential not only for Kosovo's integration into the international community but also for addressing shared global challenges. Kosovo in NATO means more peace, more security and more stability in the region.

Thank you for your attention. I would be pleased to answer any questions you might have.

[The Chair, Liberal, Ahmed Hussen]

Thank you very much for your statement, Your Excellency.

We will now go to questions from members, beginning with MP Michael Chong.

You have six minutes.

[Michael Chong, Conservative, Wellington—Halton Hills North, ON]

Thank you, Ambassador, for appearing in front of us today.

In a previous meeting in front of our committee, one witness argued that Kosovo's accession to the European Union should not be tied to the normalization of relations with Serbia because doing so does not produce stability and instead leaves Kosovo's future dependent on the co-operation of the Serbian government.

Do you agree with that assessment? Why or why not?

[H.E. Adriatik Kryeziu]

I would not agree with that. Kosovo has been doing everything in its power to find a way to live in peace with Serbia in the region. Our commitments started in 2011, when Kosovo participated constructively in the EU-facilitated dialogue with Serbia in Brussels. During the process of the negotiation dialogue, we reached a couple of agreements with Serbia. The problem is not on our side. The problem is on the Serbian side.

[Michael Chong, Conservative, Wellington—Halton Hills North, ON]

Let me re-ask the question.

As it currently stands, the European Union has made it clear that one of the critical milestones on the path for Kosovo to come into the European Union is that relations between Serbia and Kosovo be normalized.

We had a witness in front of our committee a week ago who suggested that the milestone be removed as a requirement by the European Union. In other words, normalization of relations between Kosovo and Serbia should not necessarily be a precondition for Kosovo to be admitted to the European Union.

My question is whether you agree with that position.

[H.E. Adriatik Kryeziu]

As far as I can see, the process is very much related to the dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia. We would be happy to see that we can somehow skip Serbia in the process of Kosovo's joining the European Union, but I think it's a process that is very much linked to the dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia. This is not just for Kosovo but also for Serbia. If Kosovo and Serbia would like to join the European Union, I think we have to succeed, first and foremost, in the process of dialogue.

I would like to go back to the failure of the implementation of the agreement that was reached between Kosovo and Serbia. The most important thing is the last agreement we reached—the Ohrid agreement—a couple of years ago. Serbia continues to fall short of fulfilling the obligations under the agreement of the path to normalize the relations between Kosovo and Serbia. Signals have emerged from Serbia's authorities regarding their commitments to the agreement, including a letter from the Serbian Prime Minister.... They agreed with the terms and conditions of the Ohrid agreement, but right after that agreement, they sent a letter to the European Union distancing themselves from the key elements of the agreement.

As far as I can see, this process is very much engaged in.... The paths to the EU for Kosovo and Serbia are very much part of this process.

[Michael Chong, Conservative, Wellington—Halton Hills North, ON]

Okay. Thank you.

[H.E. Adriatik Kryeziu]

It would be easier for Kosovo to escape somehow, but as far as I can see, we first have to deal with each other.

[Michael Chong, Conservative, Wellington—Halton Hills North, ON]

Thank you. I appreciate that answer.

I have a second question.

You referenced, toward the end of your opening remarks, the People's Republic of China.

Can you tell us what the relationship is like between Kosovo and the PRC?

[H.E. Adriatik Kryeziu]

China's influence in the region is becoming more active every day as never before. Kosovo believes that all external partners should strengthen rather than weaken the Euro-Atlantic orientations of the region.

In this context, Kosovo's position is consistent. The future of the western Balkans lies in a full integration into NATO and the European Union, as rapidly as possible. The fact is that the countries in the region are part of the belt and road initiative, but Kosovo did not join that initiative. I don't know how aware you are of this initiative.

The belt and road initiative is a global infrastructure economic development strategy launched by China in 2013 to enhance trade connectivity and investment across Asia, Europe, Africa and beyond. This is why Kosovo has been very cautious about joining that initiative: As far as we can see, China is trying, through economy and trade, to have an impact on our region.

[Michael Chong, Conservative, Wellington—Halton Hills North, ON]

Thank you.

[The Chair, Liberal, Ahmed Hussen]

Thank you very much.

We go next to MP Abdelhaq Sari.

You have six minutes.

[Abdelhaq Sari, Liberal, Bourassa, QC]

Thank you very much, Mr. Chair.

Thank you very much, Ambassador. First, I want to thank you and also welcome you. I would also like to note that our committee is closely monitoring developments in the western Balkans. It's a region whose instability, generally speaking, has a direct impact on the international and global order, which is normally based on rules that Canada very actively defends.

Our committee regularly reviews Canada's contribution to international peace and stabilization missions. In light of the ongoing tensions in the region and the role played by KFOR, the Kosovo Force, in the area, I would like to know what kind of presence or engagement by the Canadian government—whether diplomatic, military or in terms of capacity building—you think would have a much more direct, concrete, efficient and, above all, lasting effect on the stability of the western Balkans.

[H.E. Adriatik Kryeziu]

As a small country with great potential, we are proud of the consolidated partnership we have built between Kosovo and Canada. We are proud to share the same fundamental values of democracy, human rights, diversity and inclusion.

Canada was one of the first countries to open their doors and their hearts for the Kosovo refugee shelter in 1999. More than 7,000 refugees came from Kosovo to Canada. They came to find hope but also a home, so Canada has been doing very much for Kosovo over the years.

Recently we have been working very hard with regard to strengthening the relationship in defence and security. Two years ago, Kosovo joined the MTCP, the military training co-operation program. Today we have cadets in Canada who have been training for months. Canada also has a presence in Kosovo as part of the programs and agreements we have reached in the last couple of years. As well, Canada has a presence in Kosovo as part of KFOR, which is part of NATO. It's a very small mission. There are six soldiers and a defence attaché, but Canada officially has its own mission in Kosovo as part of NATO.

[Abdelhaq Sari, Liberal, Bourassa, QC]

On another note, I'd like us to talk a little more about foreign interference and your resilience as a new democratic country, as a young democracy. The committee is also closely monitoring the threats that foreign interference from certain countries poses to Canada's partner democracies. Kosovo, as I just said, is a democracy in a region where a number of foreign actors are seeking, in one way or another, to expand their influence.

What forms of interference do you consider most concerning for Kosovo today? How could Canada, through its foreign policy tools, help strengthen the resilience of your democratic institutions?

[H.E. Adriatik Kryeziu]

As of today, Canada has invested about $160 million in Kosovo, and it has also been doing other programs when it comes to women, peace and security programs, supporting women as part of the Kosovo Security Force. We are also working very closely with the Halifax International Security Forum, and we are going to join a few more programs this November in Halifax as part of our collaboration.

With regard to interference, our direct threat in Kosovo is Serbia. Serbia...is no longer secret. It is the only country in the region that did not impose any sanctions against the Russian Federation, something that Kosovo has done since the beginning. It was one of the first countries in the region that imposed sanctions against the Russian Federation. The Russians and Serbs have been coordinating their efforts and commitments to destabilize Kosovo and the region. They targeted northern Kosovo—