From Trump’s intervention to the NATO Summit, Thaçi for Rama: I am grateful from the bottom of my heart, he visited me – I expect a judgment not influenced by anyone
tidings
Express Newspaper
10/09/2026 23:06
Former president Hashim Thaçi, in the exclusive interview for “Top Story” from The Hague, also spoke about the NATO Summit that will be held in Tirana.
He considers this action as the most culminating point in the political history of Albania. “Edi facilitated the participation of Kosovo in the Peace Board. The NATO summit may be more difficult for his efforts. But Kosovo must also help itself”, he emphasized.
Grida Duma: Prime Minister Edi Rama asked American President Donald Trump, at the Peace Council, to intervene to stop what he called the “madness” towards you and your comrades-in-arms. Do you expect a concrete reaction from the US or from President Trump?
Hashim Thaçi: I expect a fair verdict, impartial and not influenced by anyone and by any kind of motive. The judges have seen the truth, the world has also seen the reality. Now it remains for them to make the decision; it is in their hands.
Eddie has visited me several times. I am grateful from the bottom of my heart. He, precisely through reforms, has decided to make Albania European.
Sometimes I think, seeing the difficulties faced in Albania’s European journey, if Noli and Konica lived this time, they would declare him crazy, adventurer or genius. It would seem mission impossible.
It is known that they (Noli and Konica) fought political, diplomatic and media battles; some won and many lost. And some don’t stop until their last breath. (reports and confrontations between them are not the subject of this note from my side).
The poor worked hard for the westernization of Albania and the Albanians, but, from the remnants with local fiefdoms, they were intrigued, muddied, disappointed, threatened, GAVE UP, RUN AWAY and never came back.
Edi is appreciating civic trust and cooperation with internationals. He is also listening attentively to criticism. Halal, not giving up in the face of difficulties. Albania is moving forward.
The confirmation of the organization of the NATO summit next year in Tirana, along with its membership in NATO, is the culminating point of Albania’s political history. It represents the confidence of the Westerners for the progress of its Euro-Atlantic. This fact should make every Albanian feel good.
After Kosovo’s failure to attend the Ankara summit, I hope that Edi finds some legal space for Kosovo’s participation in the margins of the summit in Tirana. Edi facilitated the participation of Kosovo in the Peace Board. The NATO summit may prove more difficult for his efforts. But Kosovo must also help itself.
Grida Duma: In 2015, Albin Kurti asked you not to vote on the creation of the Special Court. Today, looking at the developments and the accusations raised, do you think that raising it was a wrong decision?
Hashim Thaçi: Grida, Kosovo was between two fires: to establish the court jointly with international partners, or to allow its formation by the UN Security Council.
We decided on the lesser evil for Kosovo. This is how we avoided Russia and China from the process; if the opposite happened, it would be a step back for Kosovo in the legal, political and historical sense.
I cannot and do not want to talk about the essential circumstances leading up to the formation of this court and the subsequent progress, as a long and intriguing process.
For my part, I was committed that nothing bad would happen to Kosovo. Now I am paying the price in my skin. But even this difficulty is overcome.
Grida Duma: Did you have information that the Presidency of Kosovo and President Vjosa Osmani were threatened because of the refusal to allow inspections by the Hague prosecutor’s office?
Hashim Thaçi: I have no comment.
