Rama on Monday became the first Albanian leader to visit Serbia since Communist dictator Enver Hoxha made the trip in 1946, when Josip Broz Tito was in power, but the occasion was marred by an angry exchange between the two country’s prime ministers over Kosovo.

Rama’s Serbian counterpart, Aleksander Vucic, told a joint press conference that he welcomed the fact that the leaders of the two states were meeting for the first time in 68 years, and said it could open up a new chapter in Serbian-Albanian ties.

“I hope this visit is a new beginning for pragmatic relations, relations focused on advancing our political and economic relations,” Vucic said.

He said that he wanted to look “to the future, not the past”.

“I know that in Serbia and Albania it is easy to stir up ethnic tensions because that wins political points. But I have not been chosen [as prime minister] to make easy decisions, but to take care of the future of Serbia,” he added.

Rama’s Agenda Belgrade, Monday 11.00 Welcome ceremony for Rama 11.10 Face-to-face meeting between the two prime ministers 11.30 Plenary meeting of delegations from the two countries 12.30 Vucic and Rama hold press conference 18.00 Round table “Cooperation between Serbia and Albania” Presevo, Tuesday 11:00 Rama speaks at local cultural centre

However in a sign that political differences still run deep, Vucic expressed anger when Rama referred to Kosovo’s independence as a reality.

“Kosovo is independent, recognised by 108 countries across the world and supported by a decision by the International Court of Justice, which is undeniable,” Rama said.

The Albanian premier argued that Kosovo’s independence had made the Balkans safer, and praised the EU-mediated dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina to normalise relations.

“We value and promote the dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia as the embodiment of the new period of peace and European consciousness in our region,” he said.

The Serbian premier said this was a provocation, and insisted that Kosovo remains part of Serbia.

“I did not expect a provocation from Rama and did not expect him to talk about Kosovo… It is my job not to allow anyone to humiliate Serbia,” he said.

Asked a question about Kosovo by an Albanian journalist, Vucic then retorted: “I have shown you true Serbian hospitality, and you come in and talk about Kosovo?”

Meanwhile Serbian public broadcaster RTS transmitted the press conference live but did not provide any translation of anything said by Rama, who was speaking in Albanian.

Relations between Serbia and Albania have long been poor, and worsened sharply during the conflict in the late 1990s in Kosovo, then a province of Serbia with a mainly Albanian population.

But both countries are now striving to join the European Union and the visit has been touted as a way for Belgrade and Tirana to put past differences behind them.

However the visit was postponed from October 22 after tensions spiked following unrest at the Euro 2016 football tournament qualifier between Serbia and Albania in Belgrade on October 14.

The football match was abandoned when brawls erupted after a drone bearing a map of “Greater Albania” was flown over the stadium.

As fighting started on the pitch, some Albanian players were assaulted by Serbian fans who had invaded the field.

Serbian officials then accused Rama’s own brother, Olsi Rama, of holding the remote control for the drone, which he strongly denied.

Following the game, the Albanian and Serbian prime ministers had a sharp exchange of views on Twitter.

On the second day of his visit, Rama is due to visit the Presevo Valley in southern Serbia, which is home to many ethnic Albanians.