Prime Minister Berisha meets the Prime Minister of Macedonia, Mr. Buckowski

1/3/2006 - Prime Minister Sali Berisha on Wednesday met with Prime Minister of Macedonia, Mr. Vlado Buckowski and the delegation accompanying him. During the press conference after the meeting, Prime Minister Berisha said:

Yesterday together with Prime Minister Sanader, we had an Atlantic day. Today with the Prime Minister and the friend of mine, Mr. Vlado Buckowski we entirely concentrated in bilateral relationships. Of course, we also discussed about our views regarding developments in the region and further. We see that political relationships between our two countries are great ones. Albania and Macedonia are countries which share the same views about developments in Balkan and the same projects for their future in EU and NATO.

We talked extensively about intensifying economic, cultural, relations and relations regarding the fight against criminality. During this period, we are pleased to see the double of the trade exchange volume, but we consider it only an initial success. We are convinced that the potential of these exchanges and the economic cooperation is a great one. With Prime Minister Buckowski we agreed to cooperate closely for joint projects in the interest of both countries. Albania will seriously consider a special status for Macedonia in the port of Durrës. Together we will consider as soon as possible a railway connection and the joint endeavors for Corridor 8. We will present a common request to the Russian government for gas in the region, as well as we intend to consider seriously that both countries be shareholders in the great thermo electrical power plants that will be built in Kosovo. We will work together for the Tirana-Skopje energy line transmission.

Therefore, you may see that these are great projects for our countries, which require energy, devotion, and we are decided to mobilize these energies and devotion. We agreed to extend the cooperation regarding the fight against organized crime with “zero tolerance” to it. Our services of the law implementation, information, customs, and border police will work closely with each other in order our countries, which already produce stability and export security, with their participation in NATO operations to be among the most secure areas in Europe, for their citizens and foreign investors. We agreed to meet more often, privately and officially. We arranged to meet in Pogradec in the future, but also in Saranda, Vlora and Durrës.

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Mr. Berisha: We are decided to undertake every step to deserve NATO membership

7/3/2006 - The speech of the Prime Minister Sali Berisha on Monday during the NATO symposium, “Challenges and the future”, organized by the Division of the NATO Public Diplomacy, American Embassy in Tirana and the Institute for Democracy and Intercession.

“Dear Ambassadors, Ladies and Gentlemen,

I am very happy to participate in this symposium organized with the participation of young leaders, students, representatives of the diplomatic corps, Albanian legislation, and armed forces. I would like to thank the managers for organizing this conference, and to stress that I consider as very important the dialogue with the young people about North Atlantic Alliance issues, issues of Albania’s membership in this Alliance, processes that have to do with the security, guaranteeing freedom and democracy and their values in Albania. I think, discussing with young people about great worrying problems we make them co-authors in these policies, which will be determinative ones for the future of the country.

Let us reconsider the topic of the day. Why is NATO important for Albania? Why Albanians back the North Atlantic Alliance so strongly? First of all, I think NATO membership is the best way and Albanians generally percept this as a guarantee for peace, stability, and security in their country. Secondly, taking in consideration that above all, NATO is a political organization of free countries, entering NATO is vital for the consolidation of democracy, individual freedom, rule of law and economic development. Third, participation of Albania in this much-respected club, in the most successful political and military alliance ever, makes our small country to gain a prestige and the right that through this forum to express its vision for a safer world. Lastly, Albania as a nation remains grateful to NATO. It was this alliance, which undertook as a new dimension the operation of defending the human rights and freedoms, the greatest military operation in the post war Europe and liberated Kosovo Albanians from the oppressive regime, an apartheid regime.

With the fall of the iron curtain, the place of the soviet expansion threat was replaced by new threats for the global security, such as inter-ethnic conflicts, international terrorism, the risk that nuclear arsenal established during the cold war fall in the hand of irresponsible states. In the new security concept, organized crime is added to this list, and also the weakening of the state structures, high scale of corruption, the risk from old arsenals of conventional arms and chemical and biological ones since the cold war. 9/11 events showed clearly that no country, not even the only super-power in the world, United States, are immunized from the risk of these threats.

On the other hand, we live in a global world which apart the great economic, financial and technological opportunities that the globalization offers, it has established a real inter-independence situation, where no one can say that what happens in one edge or another in the planet, does not have an impact in his country. The opposite is true. In these conditions, the security of each country is inseparable and directly depending on the general security, which is the motto of the Alliance. Article 5 of the North Atlantic Treaty clearly presents the solidarity principle, saying that an attack to one or more NATO members will be considered as an attack to all the members.

In a global world, even threats become of international dimensions and only through cooperation based on the above-mentioned solidarity principles, could be dealt in the best and the most secure manner. The dangerous inter-ethnic conflicts in the ex-Yugoslavia region as well as the incapability to be solve them by the region countries itself, was dictated the need for a close cooperation and for the direct international intervention to stop the war. Regarding this, NATO had a decisive role for peace and stability in the region. The lessons learned from Bosnia made possible the international community dominated within a few months in the conflict in Kosovo, and within e few weeks, prevent its extension in Macedonia. The further perfection of the international coordination and cooperation is one of the greatest necessities in order new risks are dealt successfully. The presence of NATO in the Balkan region with KFOR is a great peace and stability factor in our region. The Adriatic 3 Charter is another great example of the contribution that the regional initiatives in the framework of peace partnership, give to peace and stability in the region.

Let us talk again about NATO regarding the developments within the member countries. In the preamble of North Atlantic Treaty are confirmed the basic principles of the organization. As a basic condition is that NATO member countries should be decided to preserve liberty, common inheritance and civilization of their people established on democracy principles individual freedoms, and the rule of law. During these nearly 57 years, NATO preserved with great responsibility its identity as an exclusive club of free and democratic countries.

This is the reason why Albania, since 1992, required becoming a member of NATO, in this way being the first country among the former communist countries to undertake such a step. Having a strong confidence in the principle, “Security is gained in a responsible manner”, we considered the NATO membership option as a polar star, which would lead Albania in its efforts for the democratization of the country, the consolidation of the rule of law and the establishment of a society where the individual freedoms and rights are fully respected.

Albania’s NATO integration strategy is based in the Membership Action Plan. This plan foresees a lot of reforms, the aim of which is the development and consolidation of the country, promoting an efficient free market economy, the consolidation of institutions and democracy, the establishment of the rule of law, the fight against criminality and corruption, the consolidation of border control, security of ports, reform of the armed forces changing them to modern, professional and conform contemporary standards, capable to respond challenges of this century. Although we are aware that still, there is a lot to be done, especially in the fight against corruption and organized crime, fight against ‘state capture’ phenomena, the membership plan remains the map, which together with the Stabilization-Association process are the greatest projects of the Albanian state and society. Albania today enjoys more stability, more democracy and a much more clear vision about its future.

Now let us talk about the new reality established after the fall of the communism, but especially after 9/11 events. The change in the global situation of course would bring changes in NATO philosophy and strategy and would make this alliance to undertake every reform to deal successfully with the new situation, to take charge of its new role. In this framework, what I may say is that NATO is an alliance under reformation, an alliance under extension and Albania is expecting decided to fulfill its criteria, in order in the next summit where will be decided for the enlargement, to receive an invitation. We want to guarantee NATO member countries and partner countries that we are decided to undertake every step, to pay every price to deserve a full membership in the North Atlantic Alliance, being convinced that this the most secure future, the future of the greatest security for Albania and Albanians. Thank you.”

OSCE's Ambassadør er blevet interviewet:

Standard newspaper, 24 February 2006

Interview of the Head of the OSCE Presence in Albania, Ambassador Pavel Vacek

Journalist: Blerina Gjoka

The OSCE welcomed immediately the ad hoc parliamentary committee on electoral reform, which is not established yet. How are you reading the debates between the big political parties and their smaller allies on the right to veto?

The important thing is that these debates among political parties are ongoing without a need for an external involvement and it should remain the case... However, it is desirable that the Ad hoc Committee on electoral reform be able to start working – when this happens, the OSCE, both ODIHR and the Presence, can start providing their expert and technical support to the Committee.

Under an agreement of the two largest parties, it was decided that the Constitution will not be touched. Does the OSCE recommend that the reform should also consider changes in the Constitution for some issues that have caused heated political debates, such as electoral system and election of the President of Republic?

In that regard, the OSCE ODIHR recommendations are not prescriptive… The choice on how to proceed is in the hands of Albanian political actors – whether they wish to go for a sweeping review of the electoral system right away or they wish to address the issues relevant for the next municipal elections as a priority. It is good that the Ad hoc Committee is tasked to address the ODIHR Recommendations from 2005 elections. But there are also those previous recommendations, including the Joint ODIHR and Venice Commission recommendations of 2004, which have not been addressed fully or at all, for one reason or another. There is the earlier recommendation by ODIHR to look for simplifying the electoral system. The 2005 report by ODIHR leaves the question whether to change the electoral system up to the Albanian stakeholders. A change of the electoral system would require amending the Constitution and that’s an uneasy thing, that is obvious…

What will be the role of the OSCE in the new electoral reform?

Together with ODIHR, we will offer expert and technical assistance to the Assembly if this is sought. As in the past, the assistance will be given to improve the electoral legislation, in line with the OSCE Commitments, ODIHR recommendations and other international standards for democratic elections. I emphasise that we are not the ones to guarantee that it happens that always remains in the hands of Albanian political actors.

What do you think are the most urgent issues the new committee should be dealing with? Is there anything that should be improved ahead of the upcoming local government elections?

I believe that there is enough lessons learnt on the Albanian side to see what the Ad hoc Committee should start dealing with…and, naturally, the next municipal elections is the priority. But if you insist, I can mention -some of things that also stem from the past elections observations: Firstly, a reasonable certainty over the election date would be useful, as this affects the hierarchy of timelines for the preparation of the election process. Secondly, further improvements to Voter Lists provisions are needed -the Ministry of Interior, with our support, have started discussing the preparations with the mayors and the CEC. Further on, provisions on middle-and lower-level election commissions should be revisited, both in terms of their composition and performance. Also counting and tabulation procedures should be reviewed and refined. There is room for improving efficiency of the procedure of appeals to decisions by electoral administration.

The office that you represent has recently taken a different line from the EU. More specifically, the OSCE said that the Zogu i Zi flyover issue could influence the negotiations with the EU, while Ambassador Salzmann did not share this opinion. Why did this happen?

We did not say what you are saying we said …but if you wish to get back to this, be it. It’s a fact of life that domestic developments, especially when we are talking about governance problems, tend to affect external ambitions, in one way or another. It is another question whether the particular controversy, the Zogu i Zi and related problems, do or do not negatively affect Albania's external interests… and it is yet another question whether the Presence should have pronounced itself on it. I say that the judgments on EU related issues are not ours and we explained that to partners concerned, both on the Albanian and on the international side. That’s the end of story, at least for me...

What is the perspective of the OSCE monitoring of Albania? How long will this monitoring last?

We are not tasked to do monitoring – there is another international mission here in Albania which bears the notion of monitoring in its name… Of course, we need to follow developments relevant for our assistance work in the mandated areas. Without that, we would be operating in isolation and without knowledge what is going on around us. In that regard, we only do what other international organisations assisting Albania also do… And how long will the OSCE Presence last? As long as the Albanian government and the other 54 OSCE states consider the Presence useful…

Some political leaders have recently criticised strongly the OSCE Presence for overcoming its competencies regarding its role in some sensitive political issues. Sabri Godo even asked for the way the Presence functions to be changed. What is your comment on this criticism?

Nobody is immune from criticism but it must be factually correct… I simply don’t think that we have overstepped our mandate.

Mjaft har skrevet til Præsident Moisiu om ny lovgivning om urbanisering og legalisering af illegale bygninger:

Tirana, 2 March 2006

Subject: Open request to reject the Law “On Legalization, Urbanization and Integration of Illegal buildings”

To: Mr. Alfred Moisiu, President of the Republic

Mr. President,

We are resorting to you because we are concerned about the approval of the law “On legalization, Urbanization and Integration of Illegal Buildings” and about its effects on the Albanian nation. The MJAFT! Movement has already expressed its opinion that the law on legalizations was compiled in total lack of a policy on the issue and lacking transparence, leaving out and not consulting the interested parties. Also, in the process of making and approving this law, observations made by international institutions, such as OSCE have not been taken into consideration. Furthermore, this law will also have the following negative effects:

- The law is made in lack of an authentic policy and as a result, it does not calculate the real costs of this process, it does not define who will pay this cost and what are the benefits from this law, and what is the balance. The government rushed to a short-term solution instead of a stable one on the legalizations issue, this way not allowing the needed time to apply all the necessary steps to compile a policy on legalizations.

- This law will give property papers to the informal inhabitants in an indefinite period, but neither will give them the normal life, nor the secure future, nor a suitable environment to raise their children. The plan does not present a deadline for the urbanization of these areas, nor a clear projection of the integration of these citizens in the life of the city. What is worse, at this moment, is that no one has an idea, not a rough one, of the costs of urbanization. Moreover, no one knows how the state will afford the cost of urbanization.

- The law does not articulate the way the government plans to compensate the ex-owners, but only gives them a dim promise in the best case, a promise that will hardly be kept.

- The citizens are those that truly lose more from the law of legalizations, because any solution will take more taxes from their wallets, or will have the form of lacking public investments. It is also in the citizens’ interest that the problem of the informal areas be solved as soon as possible, so that the citizens of these areas can integrate in the normal and formal life of the city, which is something that this law cannot guarantee.

- In many areas plenty of illegal buildings are being built, with the hope to be included in the clause of the Law “On legalization, urbanization and integration of illegal buildings”. If this law will enter in force, immeasurable damages will be made to the coast, the future of tourism, agricultural lands and protected areas.

Despite the consecutive efforts of the MJAFT! Movement and other interested parties, this law has already been approved by the Albanian Parliament, showing once again that the Government does not take into consideration the opinion of the citizens that elected it.

The MJAFT Movement appeals YOU to not decree the law “On legalization, urbanization and integration of the illegal buildings”, because as a result of this law, the informal inhabitants will be deceived by postponing to an unknown time limit the urbanization of these areas; the legal owners will not be compensated, the citizens will pay costs not yet calculated, and considerable damages will be made to the Albanian environment.

We hope to have your support and understanding on this issue.

Sincerely,

MJAFT! Movement
Rr. Elbasanit, Nr. 77, Tirana
Tel/Fax +355 4 223 661
info@mjaft.org
www.mjaft.org

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SERBIEN og MONTENEGRO. SERBIEN (alene)


Det Amerikanske UM har offentliggjort en 'Background Note' om Serbien - Montenegro: http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/5388.htm • Det Engelske Udenrigsministeriums 'Country Advice' til rejsende kan findes på adressen: http://www.fco.gov.uk/servlet/Front?pagename=OpenMarket%2FXcelerate%2FShowPage&c=Page&cid=1007029390590&a=KCountryAdvice&aid=1013618386622 • En biografi over tidligere Forbundspræsident Kostunica kan læses på Serbiske Politikere • Mht ICTYs sag mod tidligere Præsident Milosevic, se (evt.) under ICTY ovenfor.


Præsidentvalg i Serbien. Boris Tadic blev i Juni 2004 valgt som Præsident. Seneste Parlamentsvalg: 031228.


Kosovo / Kosóva:

En Serbisk Delegation har været i Moskva. Den Serbiske Regering skriver:

Solution to Kosovo issue should be based on principles of international law

Belgrade, Moscow, March 9, 2006 – Representatives of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and a Serbian delegation, led by Head of the Coordinating Centre for Kosovo-Metohija Sanda Raskovic-Ivic agreed today in Moscow that while searching for a solution to the issue of Kosovo-Metohija, it is especially important to respect and abide by the principles of international law and try to find universal solutions.

Head of the Economic team for Kosovo-Metohija and Southern Serbia Nenad Popovic and Serbian President's advisor Aleksandar Simic are also in the Belgrade delegation. Russian Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Vladimir Titov and Russian representative in the Contact Group for Kosovo Aleksandar Bocan-Harchenko welcomed the delegation at the ministry today.

The collocutors discussed Serbia's status in the negotiating process on the future status of Kosovo-Metohija, as well as Russia's viewpoint within the Contact Group.

They pointed out that the Contact Group does not have predetermined solutions but that member states have differing opinions on certain issues.

In this sense, they agreed that the statement given by British Foreign Office Political Director John Sawyers on February 17 this year is only a personal opinion of a country's representative. In that statement Sawyers said that it is obvious that the majority of people in Kosovo want independence.

Russian representatives and the Serbian delegation also discussed possible consequences of the province's future status on the entire region and agreed that it is necessary to advocate universal solutions and respect the principles of international law.

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MONTENEGRO (alene)


Præsidentvalg 030511: Filip Vujanovic blev valgt. Seneste Parlamentsvalg 021020.

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MAKEDONIEN

Det Engelske Udenrigsministeriums 'Country Advice' til rejsende kan findes på adressen: http://www.fco.gov.uk/servlet/Front?pagename=OpenMarket%2FXcelerate%2FShowPage&c=Page&cid=1007029390590&a=KCountryAdvice&aid=1013618386163 • Det Amerikanske UM har offentliggjort en 'Background Note' om Makedonien: http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/26759.htm

Der er omkring 25 % etniske Albanere i Makedonien. Folketælling afholdtes 021101-021105.

Folkeafstemningen 041107 om decentralisering (= imødekommelse af Makedonien-Albanske interesser): Folkeafstemningen "faldt". Stemmedeltagelsen var kun omkring 26 %. Hvis afstemningen skulle have kunnet udvirke en ændring af decentraliseringslovgivningen, skulle deltagelsen have været mindst 50%, og desuden skulle der have været flertal mod lovgivningen. Det var ventet at stemmedeltagelsen ville have været noget større, selv om både Regeringspartierne og den Albanske minoritet anbefalede at man blev hjemme. Man kan nu gå videre i overensstemmelse med Ohrid-aftalerne.

Præsidentvalg i Maj 2004: Branko Crvenkovski - hidtidig PM - blev valgt (efter Boris Trajkovski som omkom ved en flyulykke). Seneste Parlamentsvalg fandt sted 020915. Der kan henvises til flg. OSCE/ODIHR-oversigtsside: http://www.osce.org/odihr/elections/field_activities/skopje2002/.

Makedonien forhandler med EU om optagelse. Aktuel status, se: http://www.europa.eu.int/comm/enlargement/fyrom/key_documents.htm. Se også den generelle side: http://www.europa.eu.int/comm/enlargement/index_en.html


Den Makedonske PM, Vlado Buchovski, har været på besøg i Albanien til et NATO-arrangement. Se under: Albanien.


[US]Ambassador Milovanovic Presents Awards in Ceremony. Den Amerikanske Ambassade skriver:

U.S. Embassy Recognizes Contributions of Six Outstanding Women In Macedonia

Ambassador Milovanovic Presents Awards in Ceremony

On Monday, March 6, 2006, Ambassador Gillian Milovanovic and Dr. Zlat Milovanovic hosted a ceremony to recognize six women from Macedonia for outstanding contributions to their professional fields, and for their work in addressing important challenges and issues in Macedonia.

This marks the fourth year that the U.S. Embassy in Skopje has held a program to recognize the accomplishments and leadership of women in the Republic of Macedonia.

In remarks at the ceremony, Ambassador Milovanovic noted that women are playing a major role in economic development in Macedonia, and added, “women are essential to building and maintaining responsible governments, moving democracies forward, and creating a better quality of life in families and communities.”

The Outstanding Women’s Awards program reflects the U.S. Department of State’s views that human rights, particularly the rights of women, are one of America’s key foreign policy priorities throughout the world, and a central component of democracy.

Ambassador Milovanovic recognized the following women:

1. Sonja Bajdeska, Deputy Chief of the Division for Policy, Planning and International Cooperation at the Ministry of Defense. One of the few women in a senior-level policy position in Macedonia’s defense establishment, Ms. Bajdeska has played an important role in developing defense and security policies, in working with Adriatic Charter partners, and in addressing issues in the country’s NATO Membership Action Plan.

2. Sanija Burageva, Chief Inspector in the Organized Crime Department, Anti-Human Trafficking Unit, Ministry of Interior. She has been a leader in efforts to combat trafficking in persons, prevent domestic violence, and overcome problems related to juvenile crime in Macedonia.

3. Gezime Fejzi, Head of Fejzi Dairy in Gostivar. Ms. Fejzi is recognized as an innovative business leader in the dairy sector, setting and maintaining high standards for quality food production, and creating employment opportunities.

4. Divna Jordanovska, Manager and Co-owner of Cekorovi Winery, Kavadarci. Ms. Jordanovska has effectively developed and marketed a recognizable brand of wines, reflecting the uniqueness of a local grape variety, and has found markets for quality wines both in Macedonia and abroad.

5. Milena Stevanovic, Physician and Specialist in Infectious Diseases at the Clinic for Infectious Diseases, State Hospital, Skopje; and Assistant at the Medical Faculty. Dr. Stevanovic is recognized for her work in educating the population, especially school-age students, on the prevention of HIV/AIDS and on the effective and compassionate treatment of persons with HIV/AIDS.

6. Violeta Velkoska, Executive Director of the "All For Fair Trials” NGO Coalition, Skopje. Ms. Velkoska has been an active and noteworthy advocate for improving the functioning of Macedonia’s criminal justice system. Her leadership in monitoring trials has provided detailed information that serves as a basis for ensuring that good professional practices are followed in the courts.

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GRÆKENLAND

Seneste Parlamentsvalg 040307.

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TYRKIET


UMs rejsevejledning: http://www.um.dk/da/menu/Borgerservice/FoerRejsen/Rejsevejledninger/RejsevejledningTyrkiet.htm.


Seneste Parlamentsvalg blev holdt 021103. Det blev i December 2004 aftalt (med EUs Regeringschefer)at der i Oktober 2005 skal indledes forhandlinger om optagelse af Tyrkiet i EU.

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LANDE UDEN FOR BALKAN OG ØSTLIGE MIDDELHAV. NATO-LANDE


ITALIEN


Mother Teresa. I anledning af saligkåringen ('beatificeringen') 031019 har Vatikantet etableret en internetside: http://www.vatican.va/news_services/liturgy/saints/ns_lit_doc_20031019_index_madre-teresa_en.html

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USA




[US]Ambassador Milovanovic [Macedonia] presents Awards in Ceremony. Se under: Makedonien.

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ENGLAND

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TYSKLAND

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FRANKRIG

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DANMARK (NORGE, SVERIGE)


Der etableres nu undervisning i Albansk i København. Der etableres to mindre hold. Undervisningen forestås af Valentina Goga, der netop er kommet hertil fra Albanien. Hun er gift med den nye chargé d'affaires, Harilla Goga. Hvis du også er interesseret, så skriv til webmaster@miqesia.dk


Ugerapport fra Dansk KFOR. Hærens Operative Kommando - se under: Kosova.

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LANDE UDEN FOR BALKAN OG ØSTLIGE MIDDELHAV. IKKE NATO-LANDE


RUSLAND

UMs Rejsevejledning: http://www.um.dk/da/menu/Borgerservice/FoerRejsen/Rejsevejledninger/RejsevejledningRusland.htm


En Serbisk Delegation har været i Moskva. Den Serbiske Regering skriver:

Solution to Kosovo issue should be based on principles of international law

Belgrade, Moscow, March 9, 2006 – Representatives of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and a Serbian delegation, led by Head of the Coordinating Centre for Kosovo-Metohija Sanda Raskovic-Ivic agreed today in Moscow that while searching for a solution to the issue of Kosovo-Metohija, it is especially important to respect and abide by the principles of international law and try to find universal solutions.

Head of the Economic team for Kosovo-Metohija and Southern Serbia Nenad Popovic and Serbian President's advisor Aleksandar Simic are also in the Belgrade delegation. Russian Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Vladimir Titov and Russian representative in the Contact Group for Kosovo Aleksandar Bocan-Harchenko welcomed the delegation at the ministry today.

The collocutors discussed Serbia's status in the negotiating process on the future status of Kosovo-Metohija, as well as Russia's viewpoint within the Contact Group.

They pointed out that the Contact Group does not have predetermined solutions but that member states have differing opinions on certain issues.

In this sense, they agreed that the statement given by British Foreign Office Political Director John Sawyers on February 17 this year is only a personal opinion of a country's representative. In that statement Sawyers said that it is obvious that the majority of people in Kosovo want independence.

Russian representatives and the Serbian delegation also discussed possible consequences of the province's future status on the entire region and agreed that it is necessary to advocate universal solutions and respect the principles of international law.

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KINA

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