|
Seneste 4 udgaver af »Sidste Nyt fra Albanien, Kosóva og Makedonien«: Sidste Nyt #291 Sidste Nyt #290 Sidste Nyt #289 (om Ibrahim Rugóva) Sidste Nyt #288 (om Wikipedia) Udgaver siden seneste »Albansk Almanak«: http://bjoerna.dk/nyt-oversigt.htm |
Indholdsfortegnelse Contents Ugeoversigt Summary Internationale organisationer International organizations FN UN Verdensbanken, IMF m.fl. World Bank, IMF etc. OSCE, Europarådet OSCE, Council of Europe (CoE) EU European Union (EU) NATO NATO ICTY - Tribunalet i Haag ICTY Balkan, generelt The Balkans Kosóva Kosóva [Kosovo] Øst Kosóva / Presevo-dalen / Syd-Serbien Eastern Kosóva Albanien Albania Serbien og Montenegro. Serbien (alene) Serbia-Montenegro. Serbia Montenegro (alene) Montenegro Makedonien Macedonia [FYRoM] Grækenland Greece Tyrkiet Turkey Italien Italia USA United States (US) England England Tyskland Germany Frankrig France Danmark (Norge, Sverige) Denmark (Norway, Sweden) Rusland Russia Kina China |
Information om »Sidste Nyt«
»Sidste Nyt« sættes på nettet senest hver fredag morgen, hvor der sendes besked til dem der ønsker det.
Nyheder, materiale, kommentarer og spørgsmål modtages meget gerne, både om småting og større ting. Send en e-mail.
Du må citere hvis du angiver hovedsidens adresse: bjoerna.dk
|
»Albansk Almanak 2004«
»Albanske Studier« bd. 1-2
Til dig der kigger på et ældre nummer af »Sidste Nyt«.
|
Officiel biografi vedr. Lutfi Haziri [jf.: http://www.pm-ksgov.net/cabinet.php?lang=en]
![]()
Lutfi Haziri. Off. foto
Date of Birth: 08.11. 1969
Address: St. M. Idrizi nr.168-Gjilan
Profession: Biologist
Martial status: Married, father of three daughters
Since 7 March 1990-1997, has been elected and does the work of the president in Youth Forum of Democratic League of Kosovo, Branch in Gjilan. 1997 2000 elected as a deputy president of LDK, Branch in Gjilan and in the same time member of the General Council of LDK, in Prishtina 1994-1997 member of the Presidency in Youth Forum of LDK, Prishtina Before this Mr. Haziri used to be in student s leadership structures within the University of Prishtina
Since 1990, Mr. Haziri within the Ministry of Defense of Republic of Kosovo used to accomplish various functions in parallel structures in Kosovo. He was in prison from 14th October 1998 and he was charged for the leadership of KLA in Karadaku Zone-Gjilan August 1999-October 2000 deputy mayor in the Municipality (Municipal Administrative Board) October 2000-2004, in the function of the Mayor in Municipality of Gjilan June 2001, elected as a chairman of Municipal Associations in Kosovo 2004-Member of LDK Presidency-Prishtina
Leader of the Kosovo Municipal Delegation in the Congress of Local and Regional Governance in Strasbourg (CLARE-Monitoring status for Kosovo)
Member of Network Board of Local Authorities in SEE (NALASEE) Member of Kosovo Budgetary Commission Citizen of honor in Luterbah Municipality, Strasbourg France Colonel Kentucky, Kentucky state USA Additional specializations
OSCE / Managing Diploma George Town University, Washington DC, Certificate Colorado University, USA / Certificate European Council / Certificate American Peace Institution / USIP, Diploma. Many awards, certificates from local and international organizations
Off. biografi over Slobodan Samardzic [jf.: http://www.clds.org.yu/html/lju.html]
Slobodan Samardzic is Professor at Department of Political Science, Belgrade University, and Political Adviser to the President of the FRY. Area of his studies includes political ideas and institutions, contemporary federalism, political theory and practice of constitutionalism, political system of Yugoslavia, and European Union. His long-term study visits include Göttingen, Frankfurt/M, Fribourg and Brussels. He has published several books: Ideology and Rationalism (1984), Council Democracy (1987), Yugoslavia and the Challenge of Federalism (1990), Coercive Community and Democracy (1994), European Union as a Model of the Supranational Community (1998).
Henvisninger:
Hvor uafhængig skal Kosóva være? Hvornår?
Incl. Kai Eide's rapport til Kofi Annan. Oktober 2005
Sikkerhedsrådets drøftelse om Kosovo/Kosóva 24.10.2005
Kai Eide's, Søren Jessen-Petersen's og Vojislav Kostunica's taler som MP3
Det Amerikanske standpunkt
Nicholas R. Burns' tale for en Senatskomité 8.11.2005
Martti Ahtisaari's første pressekonference i Kosóva/Kosovo.
Prishtina 23.11.2005
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY AND RECOMMENDATIONS
The key issue in the current final status process is the creation of a Kosovo that will have the greatest chance of lasting stability and development. While agreement between Belgrade and Pristina remains desirable in theory, it is extremely unlikely that any Serbian government will voluntarily acquiesce to the kind of independence, conditional or limited though it may be, which is necessary for a stable long-term solution. The international community, and in particular the UN Special Envoy charged with resolving the status process, Martti Ahtisaari, must accordingly prepare for the possibility of imposing an independence package for Kosovo, however diplomatically painful that may be in the short term, rather than hoping to finesse Pristina and Belgrade’s differences with an ambiguous solution, or one in which key elements are deferred.
None of this removes any responsibility from Kosovo’s Albanian majority. They must offer packages of rights for Kosovo’s Serb and other minorities in at least three areas: central institutions, decentralisation and religious and cultural heritage. Details of inclusion and representation in core governing institutions, with arrangements for involvement of the relevant mother country in fields such as culture, education and possibly more, should be negotiated with not only Kosovo’s Serb minority but also its Turks, Bosniaks and others. An agreement on decentralisation, to be brokered in the first instance by Ahtisaari and his team, could then be implemented under international oversight for three years, as was done with the Ohrid Agreement in Macedonia. Pristina’s negotiators should also immediately start direct negotiation with the Serbian Orthodox Church in Kosovo on a package of protection arrangements for it and its sites. Only once this groundwork has been done should the Contact Group be prepared to make concerted, formal moves toward recognising Kosovo’s independence.
The independence package the international community settles upon Kosovo should prioritise its social and economic development. Crafting it should be an opportunity for the European Union and its member states in particular to expand their commitment, including resources, to the Western Balkans generally. A generous education assistance program and visa liberalisation are needed, as is assistance for rural development. The EU must not end up spending more on its own post-status mission costs in Kosovo than it does on pre-accession structural funds for the new country.
While a new UN Security Council resolution will be vital to set Kosovo on a course of independence from Serbia, any new international mission there should desirably be based on agreement with the new state, preferably founded in its constitution. This international presence should have fewer powers than the High Representative has enjoyed in Bosnia. EU institutions properly emphasise that they want a Kosovo which can be treated in most respects as a normal country, with politicians answerable to their own electorates. But there is one area where the international community should consider a more intrusive mission: northern Kosovo, and Mitrovica in particular, where Serb parallel structures defy UNMIK and the provisional government (PISG) alike. Leaving a new Kosovo government to try to incorporate the north would invite a violent breakdown. A transitional international authority there is the only sensible answer.
RECOMMENDATIONS
To Kosovo-Albanian negotiators:
1. Produce a plan for forging an inclusive, multi-ethnic state identity for Kosovo, as a tool with which to engage minority communities and the European Union.
2. Seek opportunities – such as the Basic Principles document published by the Orthodox Church – to engage Kosovo Serbs in negotiation, not using Belgrade’s sidelining of them as an excuse for passivity.
To Serbian negotiators:
3. Negotiate:
(a) the maximum degree of protection for the rights of Kosovo’s Serbs;
(b) more development assistance both for Kosovo’s Serbs and Serbia; and
(c) international and Kosovo-Albanian agreement to an appropriate range of institutional links between Serbia and Kosovo’s Serbs.
4. Refrain from sensationalist and nationalist rhetoric.
To Kosovo Serbs:
5. Begin developing structures through which to operate as a politically self-sufficient community within an independent Kosovo, and seek international support for this.
To UNMIK:
6. As the mission winds down, maintain – and preferably augment – staff and resources in the Mitrovica region in particular and engage the Contact Group and European Union in planning for a new transitional international authority for north Kosovo.
To UN Special Envoy Martti Ahtisaari:
7. Go earlier rather than later to the UN with a recommendation for imposing a conditional independence package, if Kosovo’s Albanians have conscientiously made good offers on minorities, covering inclusion in central institutions, decentralisation and protection of religious heritage, rather than hold out for an ambiguous solution, or one in which key elements are deferred in order to keep Belgrade on board.
To the Contact Group:
8. Be prepared to indicate how Kosovo might become independent, including how this might be implemented in the event of Belgrade’s refusal to agree, once Albanians have made serious offers to minorities, engaging with them on inclusion in central institutions, decentralisation and protection of religious heritage.
9. Discuss and plan for a north Kosovo transitional international authority.
To the European Union:
10. Plan for social and economic development in post-status Kosovo, with particular emphasis on education and visa liberalisation and agricultural development, rather than adopting a purely policing and security agenda.
Pristina/Belgrade/Brussels, 17 February 2006
De internationale forhandlinger om Kosovos fremtid er netop gået i gang. Kosovoalbanerne ønsker selvstændighed for Kosovo, mens det serbiske mindretal ønsker, at Kosovo forbliver en del af Serbien. Serbien, Rusland, Albanien, EU og USA forsøger også at påvirke forhandlingerne, hvor FN sidder ved bordenden.
- Hvordan skal forhandlingerne gå? Udenrigsmagasinet tager debatten om Kosovos fremtid.
Gæster i studiet er øverste chef for politistyrken i Kosovo Kai Vittrup og Niels Aadal Rasmussen, Forsker ved Dansk Institut for Internationale Studier.
UN envoy tells Security Council that Kosovo operation now in ‘critical phase’
14 February 2006 – Speaking to the Security Council today, the senior United Nations envoy to Kosovo said the next few months offered great opportunities for the province’s leaders and its people to work together to decide their future, saying also that the UN mission was now in its most critical phase.
In his latest report to the 15-member body, Søren Jessen-Petersen said that major developments in the province since October included the death last month from lung cancer of Kosovo President Ibrahim Rugova, the start of a process to determine the province’s future status and the efforts made at decentralisation.
“Much has been achieved – much more must and will be done. The next months offer an opportunity for Kosovo’s leaders to redouble their efforts, to reach out to Kosovo’s Serbs and to the other minorities, and to register solid and substantive progress,” Mr. Jessen-Petersen said.
“With the beginning of the status process, the United Nations Mission in Kosovo has entered its most critical phase. Now, as in the past, our focus must remain on building in Kosovo a society that is democratic, multi-ethnic, inclusive and tolerant,” the senior envoy added.
Mr. Jessen-Petersen also called on Kosovo’s Serbs to take “an active part in the central and municipal institutions” if they wish to shape the province’s future and said Belgrade must also encourage and support such participation.
“Our goal must now be to make good the political wrongs of the past, with a focus on the rights of all people – of individuals and families – for the future,” he added.
Mr. Jessen-Petersen noted that last week Kosovo’s Assembly had elected Fatmir Sejdiu as the province’s new President, saying this had demonstrated a “mature and dignified” political response to the recent death.
The UN envoy also said that President Sejdiu had already discussed the former President’s vision on the status of Kosovo with the province’s negotiating team, ahead of a meeting on decentralisation between Pristina and Belgrade to be held in Vienna next week.
“The majority in Kosovo, who suffered so much as a minority themselves in the past, has a right to expect that their aspirations will be met when Kosovo’s status is decided. The minorities, who have in turn suffered revenge and isolation, have a right to expect that their concerns will be just as seriously heard and addressed,” Mr. Jessen-Petersen concluded.
Kosovo has been run by the UN since 1999, when NATO drove out Yugoslav troops amid human rights abuses in fighting between Serbs and Albanians.
Last month, Secretary-General Kofi Annan called on Kosovo Serb leaders to work to promote government reform and other key goals in the province, saying he was “seriously concerned” by the slow progress and setbacks between May and December last year.
Overdragelse af kommandoen fra hold 13 til hold 14
Uge 07 i Kosovo. Efter seks måneder i Kosovo og veloverstået mission kunne hold 13 overdrage kommandoen til hold 14 og vende hjem til Danmark.
20-02-2006 kl. 13:38
En stabil og rolig periode
De sidste seks måneder har været en rolig og stabil periode i Kosovo. Den danske bataljon har kørt utallige patruljer på vejene i den nordlige del af Kosovo og hele tiden været klar til at gribe ind, hvis noget skulle udvikle sig i den forkerte retning.
Mange kilometer er gået på patruljer i bjergene langs den administrative grænse til Serbien og mange timer er brugt på skjulte observationsposter. Ingeniørerne har hjulpet til med at forbedre veje i nogle af de fattigste områder, og små donationer har hjulpet skolebørnene i vores område.
Alt sammen har været med til at skabe grundlaget for, at Kosovo kan fortsætte den gode udvikling, der efter planen skal føre frem til en endelig afklaring på Kosovos fremtidige status i år.
De mange øvelser i kontrol med uroligheder, timerne på skydebanen og alle de andre uddannelses- og øvelsesaktiviteter har betydet, at bataljonen altid har været klar til enhver situation. Heldigvis er der ikke blevet brug for disse færdigheder, men ingen har været i tvivl om, at den danske bataljon var klar, og dermed har vi også løst en af vores vigtigste opgaver.
I løbet af den sidste uge er soldater fra hold 14 ankommet til Camp Olaf Rye og strakt gået i gang med at få overdraget materiel og erfaringer.
Søndag kl. 10 gennemførte bataljonen parade, hvor chefen for hold 13, oberst M. Bech, kunne overdrage kommandoen over bataljonen til chefen for hold 14, oberst K. Pedersen.
Rotationen fortsætter indtil 22. februar, hvor sidste rotationsfly bringer soldater fra hold 14 til missionsområdet og de sidste soldater fra hold 13 tilbage til Danmark.
Hold 13 har nu afsluttet sin mission i Kosovo - held og lykke til hold 14.
February 22, 2006
The President of the Republic, Alfred Moisiu received in a meeting today the renown Kosovar politician and one of the leaders of the liberating war of Kosova, Fatmir Limaj.
President Moisiu highly praised the sacrifices of Mr. Limaj for Kosova, be them in the fight for liberation and also in his righteous stand in the Hague process and expressed the pleasure that he is involved again in politics.
Hailing the beginning of the negotiations in Vienna about the status of Kosova, Mr. Moisiu called them achievements and the result of the Kosova people’s insistence and of the international support to it in the struggle for a free and independent Kosova.
At the mean time, the Head of State pointed out the maturity of the political class and Kosovar people, who demonstrated capability and oriented the right way in facing the situation after the passing away of President Rugova. The Kosovar people have placed the major interest above everything else, first all the independence of Kosova. This is the most important thing and must be hailed and congratulated, stated President Moisiu.
Mr. Moisiu pointed out that already it is required a high level of the overall consciousness and a responsibility to build a common life with the minorities in Kosova.
On his part, Mr. Limaj expressed the gratitude about the support that our country has given and gives to Kosova. Mr. Limaj stated that the political class there must be ready to realize its main objective which is the state building of Kosova with real room for the functioning of a democratic society that respects the minorities’ rights.
February 19, 2006
The President of the Republic, Alfred Moisiu held an informal meeting in Shkodra with the President of Montenegro, Filip Vujanovic'.
Today’s meeting between the two presidents was held in the framework of deepening the dialogue and understanding spirit in the interest of our two countries and serves to the climate of stability and collaboration in the region.
President Moisiu pointed out that the increase of the contacts on these levels enables the opportunity to discuss the respective visions about the actual relations and their future and also directly influence the development of trade, tourism, infrastructure, etc.
By emphasizing the strengthening of the role played by the minority as a connecting bridge between the two peoples, President Moisiu pointed out that “we have an Albanian minority in Montenegro and these meetings serve to the improvement of their living conditions.” Mr. Moisiu stated that these efforts done today serve to the common future of the region in the European Union.
On his part, President Vujanovic' praised the continuity of the friendly relations between the two countries and expressed the conviction that they will be even further liberalized in the common interest.” The President of Montenegro stated that “the perspective of these relations is more than clear already.”
The few hours visit of President Vujanovic' in Shkodra was concluded by a brief visit to the Rozafa Castle.
February 18, 2006
The President of the Republic, Alfred Moisiu received today at noon the President of the European Commission, Jose Manuel Barroso and the Enlargement Commissioner, Olli Rehn together with the delegation that is accompanying them.
President Moisiu called today a great and joyous day for our country, because a very important such as the Association-Stabilization Agreement was initialized. The initializing of this Agreement, as an important moment on the long path of European integration of Albania which has began ever since 1992, is at the same time an obligation for the Albanian political class to reflect on the prolonging of this period and to seriously commit to the realization of the Albanians’ European aspiration.
The Head of the State pointed out that through the last parliamentary elections of July 3rd, the Albanian democracy demonstrated growth and maturity and that in this direction, a lot remains to be done towards the fight against corruption, organized crime, reforms in the Judiciary, functioning of the media according to democratic standards, better coordination of the work of the government with the independent institutions, etc.
Regarding Kosova, President Moisiu re-iterated his stand that an independent Kosova generates peace and stability in the region.
On his part Mr. Barroso praised the initializing the Association-Stabilization Agreement as a sign for the European perspective of Albania and expressed the conviction about further European Union steps towards this process during the ongoing year. Mr. Barroso emphasized the importance of the continuity of the reforms in all the fields and expressed the ongoing support of the European Union for our country.
Mr. Barroso congratulated President Moisiu about the very important contribution that he has given to the well progress of the past electoral process by mentioning his initiative about the Code of Conduct, and also praised the stand of the Head of State and Albania about the role in the region. Mr. Barroso stressed once again the European perspective of the Western Balkans. The President of the European Commission invited President Moisiu for a visit to Brussels.
Speech of José Manuel Barroso, President of the European Commission
Parliament of Albania, Tirana, 18 February 2006
Building for the future: Making a success of the Stabilization and Association Agreement
Honourable Members of Parliament,
Your Excellencies,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
I am very pleased to be here in Tirana today. I have just met with President Moisiu and Prime Minister Berisha and I am encouraged by our discussions. Albania has made much progress over the past year. As a consequence, we now plan to take Albania’s relationship with the European Union to the next level.
This is a challenging period for all countries in the Western Balkans, as the question of Kosovo´s future status and other sensitive political and constitutional issues rise to the top of the agenda. It is in the interest of all countries in the region that these issues are settled successfully and in accordance with European standards. Failure to do so could negatively affect the whole region.
Regional cooperation has been a key element in the EU’s policy for the region for more than a decade. Being a relatively small region with small economies, you have to work together to combat unemployment and other social and economic challenges successfully. Regional cooperation is not a process that is separate from, or an alternative to the European integration process. It is an integral part of it.
As a result, the EU continues to function well and the citizens of the new Member States now benefit from higher standards, a broad range of quality products, better opportunities to find work and education across the Union, and a larger market for their companies. Their countries have also become more attractive for foreign investors.
This is what we want to achieve for the countries of the Western Balkans as well. After all, citizens in this region have just as much a right to see their dreams of prosperity and stability come true. So the EU will remain firm in its commitment to all countries of the region and their future in Europe.
Let me now turn to Albania and your road towards the EU.
We have been working together for three years on a Stabilisation and Association Agreement to bring the EU and Albania closer together. The Agreement sets out how the EU and Albania will trade, discuss, decide and co-operate in a wide variety of fields. It is an ambitious document. Now that the negotiation phase has ended, I would like to express the Commission’s appreciation for the work of all those people in successive Albanian governments who contributed to this success.
We were able to conclude negotiations not just because we agreed on the text, but also because of positive assessments of the progress Albania has made in a number of important areas. The conduct of last year’s parliamentary elections showed that Albania has strengthened its democratic institutions – although more progress is still needed. Albania’s economy is stable. And we greatly value the constructive role your country continues to play in the region.
This generation of Albanians has set itself the objective of returning Albania to the European family, where it belongs, after decades of separation during the totalitarian regime which followed the Second World War. Yes, recent history will make this task difficult. But never forget that the European Union itself was created to heal the painful divisions which afflicted the countries of our continent.
Ismail Kadaré has said that “of all the people in the Balkans who want to join Europe, the Albanians are the keenest”.
Albania will now have the opportunity to prove this. The Stabilisation and Association Agreement will put in place a framework which will help Albania face the challenges of European integration. It is an important step forward on the road to Europe.
But this is no time to relax your efforts. The real work begins now that the Agreement has been initialled. Albania has to establish a track-record in implementing this Agreement, in order to move closer to the EU. Your country needs to show results in putting all the trade-related provisions of this Agreement into effect. This will be a big test for the public administration. But it is also an opportunity to show the rest of Europe that Albania has the capacity to deliver results and to prepare itself for even closer integration.
But make no mistake, despite Albania’s achievements, daunting tasks lie ahead.
Albania must make serious attempts to fight organised crime and corruption. To do this Albania must combine tough action on those who break the law, with the building of a strong and independent judiciary, including the integrity of judges, to ensure that there is one law for all.
Albania needs to liberalise its economy, opening it up to more competition and more investment. The vital elements in achieving economic progress will be improving conditions for investment by strengthening property rights, improving public sector governance and completing privatisation.
As a country which values liberty, Albania must allow individuals and the organs of the state to be exposed to legitimate comment and criticism. This means making sure the country’s media legislation meets EU standards and that full freedom of speech prevails.
To address these challenges effectively, Albania will need to possess the political will, the discipline and the tools to do the job. This means following up plans and strategies vigorously within the scope of the law. It also means maintaining a public administration that performs well, based on professionalism, integrity and service to the community.
The EU’s integration agenda emphasizes unity, not division, and cross-party consensus is needed to put it into practice. A climate of constructive cooperation among political forces is conducive to reform and to the further strengthening of democratic institutions. Cooperation and mutual respect must inspire relations between political forces, institutions, central and local powers within the boundaries set out by the constitution.
Working together constructively over the long term will be vital to making a success of the Stabilisation and Association Agreement. It is also important for tackling the cross-party issues which face Albania now, such as implementing the electoral reform recommendations of the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe.
My visit here today is an appropriate moment to welcome the increasingly important role the Albanian Parliament has played in the European integration process over recent years. Its role in tackling the EU integration agenda will become even more important following the initialling of the Stabilisation and Association Agreement. I encourage you to make full use of this legislation.
It is natural for parties to have different positions in a democracy. But the European agenda is one for the whole country, for the future of all Albanians. You will need a strong cross party consensus to succeed in the reform process over the year ahead. I encourage the parties to work together on this European agenda.
The EU stands ready to assist Albania’s European integration efforts. We will continue to support Albania politically. We will be able to work together through an enhanced framework once the Stabilisation and Association Agreement is in place.
The EU will also continue to provide financial assistance. Since 1991, the EU has provided well over one billion euro in assistance to Albania, and almost ninety million euro are set aside for 2005 and 2006.
In its recent Communication on the Western Balkans, the Commission set out measures to help you in your efforts to consolidate stability and raise prosperity in the region. A broad range of actions are planned, and I would like to mention some of them today.
We will support the rapid conclusion of a regional free trade area and we will reinforce support for small enterprises, to help build economic strength. Experience in the EU shows that it is small and medium enterprises which generate the most new jobs, and we need to do everything possible to create an environment where they can flourish.
We understand that Albanians want to travel more easily to the EU: this year the European Commission will make proposals to ease visa requirements for the Western Balkans. Measures to simplify travel by researchers and students, and local travel across borders shared with the EU, are about to be implemented.
We will add to our existing programmes to support education and research by putting in place more scholarships for undergraduate and graduate students and researchers from the region.
The regional School for Higher Education in Public Administration should also open its doors this year. It will be an important tool for the region, and serves as an example of the importance the EU attaches to public service.
I would like to conclude by recalling the breadth of the task which we face together. EU integration is a national endeavour which requires the joint efforts of all institutions, all political forces and civil society. The EU agenda is more than a foreign policy objective: it means bringing about far-reaching reforms that will change virtually all aspects of the political, economic and social life of the country.
This is a tough challenge, but a worthy goal. Be assured that the EU will continue to support Albania in achieving it.
Thank you.
![]()
Kryeministri Berisha gjate takimit me Ndihmes Sekretarin e Pergjithshem te NATO-s, Ambasadorin Martin Erdmann. 21/2/2006
Prime Minister Sali Berisha reiterates that NATO integration and getting a membership invitation is a priority and objective of the Albanian government, for which it is determined to mobilize every resource. “The invitation for Albania in 2008 to enter NATO is the greatest security passport, the passport of a safe future and of the development of the country”. Mr. Berisha declared this on Tuesday, during the meeting of the NATO Integration Inter-Ministerial Committee. Appraising the so far general cooperation with NATO, Mr. Berisha said that this cooperation requires Albania to implement the membership action plan in order to deserve the invitation in the first enlargement summit, NATO will undertake during the next two years. Mr. Berisha said that the North Atlantic Alliance, first of all, is a political alliance, which means a more serious endeavor to establish the rule of law in Albania, to consolidate democracy and its values, a system based in free elections, profound reforms in the judiciary and its independence, Mr. Berisha said.
“In the Alliance, in this great security group, you may become a member only as a free democratic country, which shares with the member countries the fundamental democracy values, and that’s why it is indispensable that every day marks progress regarding the equal opportunities before the law for the Albanian citizens and law implementation. These are two main columns of the legal state”. In this process, The Prime Minister appraised as very important that Albania comes out of the trafficking map, produces security for its citizens and its neighbor countries, has a severe border control respecting the free movement, and gives the legal response to traffics and the organized crime in Albania to be soon sent to the court.
“Criminal organizations, these allies of the international terrorism, should be uprooted and get what they deserve, Mr. Berisha said. Fight against corruption is another crucial provision, for which we should not spare our endeavors”. Reform in the judiciary as well, reform in the police structures, in the border control structures and profound reforms in the prison system, remain tasks to deal with. “We can not become a NATO member without achieving these standards which is quite possible to achieve, but which require devotion, seriousness and conviction that becoming a NATO member is of a vital interest for Albania and Albanians”. NATO is also a military Alliance and requires a profound reform of the armed forces, requires a powerful support to this reform with all the necessary resources, Mr. Berisha emphasized.
Regarding this, Mr. Berisha said that the reform platform is clear and required that the membership action plan becomes a daily agenda, using the entire political, diplomatic, financial, and military potential to prove to Alliance member countries and USA which have showed a great will to support Albania, that based on this plan and the Adriatic Chart, together with Croatia and Macedonia we are ready to receive the invitation in 2008. Related to this, the Prime Minister appraised that the meeting in Washington brought encouraging news, regarding the Adriatic Chart, where the USA government clearly showed its will to assist and in this respect is required the mobilization of our capacities in order to reach this objective.
MEDIA AND CITIZENS DISCUSS ACCESS TO INFORMATION
A forum of media and citizens marked the start of a project called “Investigative journalism and access to information in Albania,” aiming to assist journalists with better implementation of access to information law and investigative reporting. The forum took place in Lezha on January 25, with the participation of local media, local government, and citizens. The main aim of the forum was to get acquainted to the law on access to information and the manner the local administration implemented this law. The first lecturer, Arben Ristani, from Citizens’ Advocacy Office, clarified the most important articles of the law, the manner it can be used by journalists, the general public and institutional transparency. After providing a brief history of this law from other countries’ experience, he focused on the implementation in the country, including the bodies that ensure this implementation: administrative complaint, court complaint, Ombudsman.
Luan Dalipaj, Deputy Mayor of Lezha, focused on the work that was being done by the municipality for a better implementation of the law on access to information. He said that attempts to establish an office that would address exclusively this problem were under way. The present journalists also suggested some ways that would help a more efficient functioning of the office. The third lecturer, Lutfi Dervishi, a well-known journalist, after becoming familiar with the main problems journalists in this area face with regard to this law, gave some specific advice and examples that would improve their reporting for the community. This forum was organized by the Albanian Media Institute, with the support of Balkan Trust for Democracy. The project will continue with roundtables and training courses in other cities.
TRAINING ON INVESTIGATIVE JOURNALISM FOR LOCAL MEDIA
A training course on investigative journalism took place in Lezha on January 26-28, with the participation of representatives from local media. The issues addressed in the lecture of journalist Lutfi Dervishi were related to the different definitions on investigative journalism, the characteristics of investigation and the journalist’s role in this process. He addressed the issue of writing a detailed investigation story, focusing on its planning. Specific steps included: picking the topic, planning the sources, searching, reporting, writing the story, checking the facts before publication, the actual publication, follow-up, etc.
In addition, Dervishi conveyed a historical and international overview of the development of investigative journalism all over the world, bringing specific cases, such as investigation of the Al Cappone case, addressing the case and the manner he bought the newspaper that was accusing him, relations with journalists, etc. Focusing on the present situation regarding corruption in Albania, as cited by international reports, the lecturer offered ways of improving investigative journalism, such as teamwork, confrontational interviews, etc. He also discussed with the journalists the risks involved when doing investigative journalism, as well as the challenges it represents, such as deadlines, resources, legal problems, etc. This course was organized by the Albanian Media Institute, with the support of Balkan Trust for Democracy.
IREX RELEASES MSI 2005 REPORT
IREX published the annual report for Media Sustainability Index for year 2005 with reports on every country where this organization holds its activity. According to this report, the Albanian panelists engaged in the discussion on media situation identified as the main problems that Albanian media faces the lack of working contracts for 90 percent of journalists, non-transparent media ownership, low levels of professionalism, increased self-censorship trends, weak public broadcasting system, weak implementation of the broadcasting law, etc. However, on a more positive note, there are attempts being made for self-regulation of media community and amendments to decriminalize defamation law. Overall, the country has marked a slight improvement in the general index of media freedom compared to last year.
Serbian government is not negotiating with Mladic
Belgrade, Feb 23, 2006 - Head of the Serbian government's Office of Media Relations Srdjan Djuric said tonight that the Serbian government has not located the whereabouts of the Hague indictee Ratko Mladic, is not negotiating with him and has not arrested him.
In a statement to the Tanjug news agency, Djuric denied the news published by the British-based Sky Television and news agency Reuters of the alleged negotiations between the Serbian government and Mladic.
Sky Television and Reuters broadcasted a statement by Dutch Foreign Minister Bernard Bot that the authorities in Belgrade are negotiating the surrender of the leader of the Bosnian Serb troops to the Hague tribunal.
Djuric stated that such news is false and reiterated that the Serbian government will do its utmost to fulfill its obligations towards and conclude cooperation with the Hague tribunal.
It is in Serbia's greatest interest to successfully conclude cooperation with the Hague tribunal, stressed Djuric.
Government adopts report on course of talks on Kosovo issue
Belgrade, Feb 23, 2006 – The Serbian government unanimously adopted at today's session a Report on the course of talks concerning the political solution for the future status of Kosovo-Metohija, which will enter the Serbian parliament at an extraordinary session scheduled for February 27.
The Serbian government will send regular reports to the Serbian parliament on the talks concerning the political solution for the future status of Kosovo-Metohija.
The government adopted a Conclusion on using budgetary funds for Kosovo-Metohija. The contemplated expenditure of 6.5 million dinars will be used for purchase of agricultural products from individual farmers from the village Mogil in the Vitina municipality, to be distributed to people in need in Kosovo-Metohija.
A Bill on social protection for war veterans and the disabled was also passed at today's session.
The government adopted a Bill on issuing counter-guarantees to the state union of Serbia-Montenegro concerning a loan granted by the International Development Association (IDA) for three projects: Energy Community of South East Europe (APL) Programme - Serbia and Montenegro Component - Serbia Project, Consolidated Collection and Pension Administration Reform Project in Serbia and Irrigation and Drainage Rehabilitation Project in Serbia.
Three decrees were passed at today's session: a Decree on a programme for farmland protection, usage and development in 2006, a Decree on using funds for systematic control of arable land fertility and a Decree on using funds for arable land leased in 2006.
Decrees on administrative districts and method of work of the Administrative District Council were also passed.
The government adopted a Decision on compiling a list of old and rare books of exquisite importance. Three hundred and ten old and rare books representing cultural heritage of extraordinary importance were entered into the list.
A Decision on forming a Commission for calculating new consumer price basket was also passed. Serbian Minister of Trade, Tourism and Services Bojan Dimitrijevic was appointed head of the Commission.
The government agreed on the Programme of activities of the Serbian National Employment Service in 2006 and adopted an Information on the European Investment Bank loan for the railway system reconstruction project.
The agreement on avoiding dual taxation between Macedonia and Greece has been harmonized pending signature, whilst the experts of both countries have been tasked to speed up the harmonization of the agreement on investments protection.
This was concluded at the meeting between the Macedonian Economy Minister Fatmir Besimi and his Greek counterpart George Alogoskoufis, held on the sidelines of the ministerial meeting of the South East Europe Stability Pact member-countries that took place Thursday in Athens.
"Minister Besimi addressed the current economic trends in Macedonia, developmental policies and trade liberalization orientation, with special emphasis on boosting the economic cooperation within the region and broader", it was announced today in Skopje.
Greek Prime Minister Kostas Karamanlis opened the summit of Economy Ministers of SEE Stability Pact countries by greeting the Ministers from Macedonia, Bulgaria, Albania, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Romania, Turkey, Serbia-Montenegro, Croatia and Moldavia.
"Being a member of the European Union and Eurozone, Greece can, will and is pursuing the goal of European perspective for the neighboring countries", said PM Karamanlis at the opening of the meeting.
The attendants at the meeting reviewed the economic development in the region, trans-border trade relations, as well as the issues relating investments improvement and stimulation of partnerships".
Knocking on NATO's Open Door
By Nicholas Burns
Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs
U.S. Department of State
A decade ago, the countries of Southeast Europe were reeling from the impact of Europe's bloodiest war in half a century. With the determined intervention of NATO, genocide and ethnic cleansing in Bosnia were brought to an end; a few years later in Kosovo, NATO again intervened to end ethnic cleansing in the region. Southeast Europe seemed to some a tangle of intractable inter-ethnic conflicts in which only massive international peacekeeping deployments could keep the warring parties apart. But the United States and its friends in the region looked to tell a different story: one that would require friends to make hard choices for the sake of a peaceful and prosperous future for their people.
Today's story is indeed different, in part thanks to the tremendous efforts of Albania, Croatia and Macedonia. The region's nascent democracies have largely normalized their relations. Peacekeeping contingents have downsized, and a return to war is unlikely. The region is not only increasingly stable, but it contributes to international coalitions that work to end conflicts elsewhere. Southeast Europe is on the path from being a consumer to a provider of security.
On February 13 in Washington, the United States hosted the Foreign Ministers of Albania, Croatia, and Macedonia to discuss recent accomplishments of these members of the Adriatic Charter, or "A3." Founded in May 2003, the A3 brings Albania, Croatia and Macedonia into a partnership with the United States to advance their individual and collective candidacies for NATO and other Euro-At1antic institutions. Serbia and Montenegro and Bosnia and Herzegovina were present as observers. At the meeting, we reviewed A3 progress on their individual NATO Membership Action Plans, and sought ways to bring NATO membership closer. We also shared lessons learned from deployments in international coalitions. Finally, we recommitted ourselves to our cooperation as friends and, if reforms continue to meet necessary standards, full Allies in the greatest Alliance in history: NATO.
Not so long ago, such goals would have been impossible to imagine. The countries of the region have worked hard to gain this new status. With fresh memories of war and dictatorship, the A3 partners share a resolve to strengthen their democratic institutions, market economies and human rights, and to fight corruption and crime. The path to NATO and the European Union promotes a positive cycle of change: the more candidate countries do to pursue reforms required for membership, the more support they get for the accession process. Though difficult, the reforms are key to lasting peace and prosperity in the region.
Charter members have expanded their areas of cooperation. In 2005, for example, the A3 fielded a joint medical team to the international security mission in Afghanistan. Individual contributions to out-of-area missions are equally impressive. Albania has combat troops in both Iraq and Afghanistan, and participates in EUFOR in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Croatian military police and medical doctors are serving in Afghanistan. Macedonian soldiers are side-by-side with international forces in Iraq and Afghanistan.
The progress over the last ten years has been remarkable. However, the A3 nations still face challenges similar to those confronting earlier aspirants to join NATO. They need stronger judiciaries to combat corruption and organized crime, and a legal framework to nurture free enterprise and encourage foreign investment. Where refugees have been displaced, they must be allowed to return and property claims resolved. Minority rights must be protected. Each country must carry its weight, investing in defense capabilities and contributing to Alliance missions in conflict zones.
Croatia's relationship with NATO is developing even more rapidly as a result of its government's success in delivering Gotovina to The Hague. We'd like to see the same thing happen with Serbia and Montenegro. Already, NATO is in the process of opening a Military Liaison Office in Belgrade, an encouraging development given the recent NATO intervention in Serbia during Milosevic's rule. Unfortunately, however, Serbia and Montengero will not be able to take the first major step toward integration into NATO - joining PFP - until the government takes necessary steps to ensure that accused war criminal Ratko Mladic joins Ante Gotovina in The Hague. The United States remains committed to seeing justice done and to helping Serbia realize a better future, one where all Serbs can move forward without progress held hostage to the defiance of a few war criminals and their few supporters.
The Alliance, too, is undergoing major reform. Soldiers should not prepare to win the last war's battles, and NATO is adjusting to new threats and challenges. This year's summit in Riga aims for significant internal change that will continue the transformational work of building an Alliance for the 21st century.
The United States is impressed by the Adriatic Charter's achievements. We salute your determination to build a future that bears no resemblance to your war-tom past. The United States firmly supports NATO's Open Door policy, and we will continue to help bring Albania, Croatia and Macedonia into NATO at the earliest possible date, as well as encourage the other countries of the region to fulfill conditions for NATO's Partnership for Peace. We remain steadfast in our commitment to peace and prosperity in the region. Our collaboration within the Adriatic Charter must do justice to the vision of three countries intent on securing a peaceful and prosperous future for their citizens. The United States stands with the peoples of all three countries, and the entire region, as we move together towards a better future.
De internationale forhandlinger om Kosovos fremtid er netop gået i gang. Kosovoalbanerne ønsker selvstændighed for Kosovo, mens det serbiske mindretal ønsker, at Kosovo forbliver en del af Serbien. Serbien, Rusland, Albanien, EU og USA forsøger også at påvirke forhandlingerne, hvor FN sidder ved bordenden.
- Hvordan skal forhandlingerne gå? Udenrigsmagasinet tager debatten om Kosovos fremtid.
Gæster i studiet er øverste chef for politistyrken i Kosovo Kai Vittrup og Niels Aadal Rasmussen, Forsker ved Dansk Institut for Internationale Studier.