Albania to Open Consulate in Bujanoc Following Talks with Serbia at Antalya Forum

  Albania has moved closer to opening a consulate in Bujanoc after high-level diplomatic talks with Serbia, marking a potentially historic step for the Preševo Valley.

Residents of Presheva celebrate with Albanian flags after the opening of the Albanian consulate in Presheva

During the Antalya Diplomacy Forum 2026, Albania’s Foreign Minister Ferit Hoxha met his Serbian counterpart Marko Đurić to discuss bilateral relations and regional cooperation. According to official statements, Serbia expressed readiness to respond positively to Albania’s request to establish a General Consulate in Bujanoc.

The proposed consulate is seen as a significant development for ethnic Albanians in the Preševo Valley, a region in southern Serbia with a large Albanian population. Officials emphasize that such a move would strengthen institutional communication, improve access to consular services, and deepen economic and social ties between communities.

The issue has long been part of Albania’s diplomatic agenda, reflecting broader efforts to support Albanians in the region and enhance cross-border cooperation. Discussions also touched on wider regional stability, including ongoing dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia, which remains a key factor for long-term peace in the Western Balkans.

While the timeline for the consulate’s opening remains unclear, analysts view the development as an important signal of constructive dialogue between Tirana and Belgrade, despite persistent political differences.