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.

PM Sali Berisha's aktiviteter: [Billederne i denne sektion kan som regel forstørres ved at klikke på dem (mens man er på nettet)]


PM Berisha har gentaget at den Albanske Regering prioriterer det højt at Albanien optages i NATO (pr. 2008). PMs kontor har udsendt flg.:

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.

Den politiske situation efter valget i 2005. »Miqësia / Dansk-Albansk Forening« holdt 31.01.2006 et møde om den politiske situation efter valget i 2005, hvor Jørgen Grunnet gav et oplæg. Der foreligger nu:

• Referat af mødet: http://miqesia.org/moeder/060131.htm

• MF Jens Chr. Lund's iagttagelser som valgobservatør: http://miqesia.org/erfaring-valget-2005/oberst-lund.htm

• Desuden kan henvises til omtalen af valget i: »To skridt fremad? Albanien i en brydningstid«, jf.: http://bjoerna.net/to-skridt-frem/


Tirana Times bringer artiklen: Driving impressions of an organic bond. The Albanian story of Dr. Kostantinos Giakoumis, Deputy Rector of the University of New York Tirana. By BESAR LIKMETA. Link: http://www.tiranatimes.com/02240601.html


Medieforhold. Det Albanske Medieinstitut har udsendt Newsletter for Januar 2006:

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.

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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.


060224 Der har i de senere dage verseret kraftige rygter om at tidl. general Ratko Mladic står foran anholdelse i Serbien. Om anklagerne mod ham, se: http://www.un.org/icty/cases-e/index-e.htm (søg: Mladic, Ratko). Se evt. reportage på BBC: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/4745474.stm. Den Serbiske Regering bestrider at forhandle med Mladic:

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.

Kosovo / Kosóva:

Den Serbiske Regering har drøftet Kosovo-situationen og har udsendt flg.:

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.

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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


Drøftelser i Athen mellem den Makedonske og den Græske Økonomiminister om dobbeltbeskatning. Makfax skriver:

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".

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GRÆKENLAND

Seneste Parlamentsvalg 040307.

Drøftelser i Athen mellem den Makedonske og den Græske Økonomiminister om dobbeltbeskatning. Se under: Makedonien.

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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




Undersekretær Burns har talt om visse Balkanlandes optagelse i NATO:

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.

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ENGLAND

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TYSKLAND

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FRANKRIG

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DANMARK (NORGE, SVERIGE)


Sagen om Muhammed-tegningerne har relation til forholdene i Albanien. Primært fordi spørgsmålet om religiøs tolerance har været diskuteret på et par konferencer i Tirana i 2003 og 2004 (se bl.a. i »To skridt frem?«. Sekundært fordi Holberg diskuterer Muhammed i samme bog, som han præsenterer og fremhæver Skanderbeg som en moderat Kristi stridsmand. Se herom på: http://bjoerna.net/holberg/Muhammed.htm. Tegningerne drøftes på: http://bjoerna.net/holberg/JP-tegninger.htm


Forhandlingerne om Kosovo: Udenrigsforskeren Niels Aadal Rasmussen er i DK4's »Udenrigsmagasinet« i den kommende tid, nemlig: 28-02-2006 kl. 19:30 // 02-03-2006 kl. 02:30 // 03-03-2006 kl. 22:00. Se i øvrigt: [se: http://bjoerna.net/sidste-nyt/276.htm#Aadal]. DK4 introducerer udsendelsen således:

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.

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

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KINA

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Nye artikler på Wikipedia:

Fra Albanien:


Nikolle Lesi er en albansk journalist og politiker. Han er født i Lezha 6. august 1963.

Han har studeret medieforhold på Tiranas Universitet.

Fra 1988 til 1997 var han journalist. I 1991 grundlagde han avisen Koha Jonë. Fra 1997 har han været parlamentsmedlem.

Siden 2002 har han været formand for de Kristelige Demokrater.

I 2004 beskyldte han offentligt daværende premierminister Fatos Nano for - under guerillakrigen i Kosovo - at have været involveret i våbensmugling. Han fremlagde dokumenter, der angiveligt var referater af samtaler herom, der var blevet aflyttet af den albanske efterretningstjeneste. Anklagemyndigheden har efterfølgende erklæret at dokumenterne var falske.

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Pandeli Majko (født 15. september 1967) er en albansk politiker.

Pandeli Majko er uddannet som ingeniør fra Tiranas Universitet.

Han er et fremtrædende medlem af Socialistpartiet.

Pandeli Majko blev engageret i politisk arbejde i studenterbevægelsen omkring 1990-1991, da Hoxha-styret brød sammen. Fra 1992 til 1995 var han formand for den euro-socialistiske ungdomsbevægelse, FRESSH. Fra 1992 har han været parlamentsmedlem.

Da daværende premierminister Fatos Nano flygtede til Makedonien under urolighederne i september 1998 - efter attentatet på den demokratiske politiker Azem Hajdari - blev han premierminister.

Efter krigen i Kosovo i 1999 blev han skubbet til side af Ilir Meta.

Pandeli Majko var påny premierminister i en overgangsperiode fra februar til juli 2002 efter at der var opstået uenighed mellem partiformanden, Fatos Nano, og premierministeren, Ilir Meta, der førte til sidstnævntes fratræden.

Majko blev forsvarsminister i Nanos regering i 2002 og havde denne post frem til valget i 2005.

I efteråret 2005 blev han valgt som generalsekretær for Socialistpartiet, formentlig som en slags modvægt til den nye formand, Edi Rama.

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Ilir Meta (født 24. marts 1969 i Skrapar) er en albansk politiker.

Ilir Meta er uddannet som økonom fra Tiranas Universitet. I sin fritid dyrker han vægtløftning.

Han er leder af partiet LSI (Forbundet af Socialister for Integration, på albansk: Lëvizja Socialiste për Integrim) og var tidligere et fremtrædende medlem af Socialistpartiet.

Ilir Meta blev engageret i politisk arbejde i studenterbevægelsen omkring 1990-1991, da Hoxha-styret brød sammen. Han blev formand for den euro-socialistiske ungdomsbevægelse, FRESSH, efter Pandeli Majko. Fra 1992 har han været parlamentsmedlem.

I 1998 blev han vicepremierminister i Pandeli Majkos regering. Efter krigen i Kosovo i 1999 skubbede han denne til side og blev selv premierminister.

En uenighed med partiformanden, Fatos Nano, førte i 2002 til at han trådte tilbage. I en kort periode blev han erstattet med Pandeli Majko.

Da Fatos Nano påny blev premierminister i 2002, blev Ilir Meta vicepremierminister og udenrigsminister, men uenigheden med Nano blussede op igen i 2003 - og førte til at Meta i vrede udtrådte af regeringen.

I 2004 forlod Meta, sammen med enkelte andre parlamentsmedlemmer - hvoriblandt hans kone, Monika Kryedmadhi - Socialistpartiet og dannede i stedet LSI (Forbundet af Integrationssocialister).

LSI blev en anelse reduceret ved valget i 2005, således tabte Monika Kryedmadhi sit mandat. Ilir Meta vandt et af de få kredsmandater, der ikke gik til de to store partier.

Ilir Meta blev i 2005 formand for parlamentets Europa-komité.

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Besnik Mustafaj er en albansk politiker. Han er født 4. september 1958 i Bajram Curri.

Han er uddannet i fransk sprog fra Tiranas Universitet i 1982 og har undervist på universitetet og været beskæftiget med journalistisk og redaktionelt arbejde.

Han var i 1990 blandt stifterne af Demokraterne og har været et fremtrædende medlem siden.

Han var ambassadør i Frankrig og ved UNESCO fra 1992 til 1997.

I perioden fra 1999 til 2005 var han sekretær for udenrigspolitik hos Demokraterne og medlem af parlamentets udenrigsudvalg.

Efter valget i 2005 blev han udenrigsminister.

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Genc Pollo (født april 1963 i Tirana) er en albansk politiker, siden valget i 2005 har han været undervisnings- og forskningsminister.

Uddannelse. Politisk engagement fra 1990

Genc Pollo blev kandidat i historie fra Tiranas Universitet i 1986. Han fik straks videnskabelig ansættelse og var derefter på studieophold i Wien fra 1988 til 1990.

Han engagerede sig politisk omkring 1990 og var blandt medstifterne af det daværende oppositionsparti Demokraterne. Han var i denne periode allieret med Sali Berisha og var fra 1992 til 1996 ansat som rådgiver for præsidenten, mens Berisha bestred denne post.

I april 1997 blev Genc Pollo generalsekretær for partiet og senere samme år blev han valgt til næstformand, dvs. i det år hvor Berisha-styret blev erstattet af et socialistisk domineret styre.

Forværret forhold til Sali Berisha

I de følgende år blev forholdet mellem Genc Pollo og Sali Berisha forværret, og i 1999 stillede Genc Pollo op som modkandidat til Berisha ved valget af partiformand. Pollo trak imidlertid sit kandidatur tilbage ganske få dage før valget skulle finde sted i slutningen af september, idet han hævdede at Sali Berisha og hans allierede havde manipuleret så meget med tingene, at der ikke ville blive tale om et fair valg.

I december 1999 antydede Genc Pollo at Sali Berisha havde begået forskellige økonomiske uregelmæssigheder i forbindelse med pyramiderne, der var kollapset i 1997 - og han spurgte offentligt, hvilken andel Berisha havde i de ca. 100.000 $ som medlemmer af hans familie havde trukket ud lige før kollapsen. Berisha gik til modangreb og beskyldte Pollo for uregelmæssigheder i forbindelse med afholdelsen af et bryllup og med købet af en lejlighed.

Genc Pollo stifter nyt parti

I 2001 trådte Genc Pollo og enkelte andre ud af Demokraterne - efter i nogen tid at have udgjort en fraktion af partiet - og etablerede partiet De nye demokrater, der placerede sig til højre for midten, og som ikke søgte at nærme sig til Socialisterne.

2005: På ny samarbejde mellem Berisha og Pollo

Da Sali Berisha havde vundet parlamentsvalget i sommeren 2005, accepterede Genc Pollo et tilbud om at indtræde som undervisnings- og kulturminister i hans koalitionsregering.

Genc Pollo anses for at være orienteret mod Vesteuropa og har gode forbindelser til vesteuropæiske politikere.

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Josefina Topalli (Coba) er en albansk politiker. Hun er født 26. november 1963 i Shkodra.

Hun er uddannet i matematik og jura og har været på studieophold på Universitetet i Padova i 1995.

Hun har været ansat i Handelskammeret i Shkodra, og har senere været lærer ved og kansler for Universitetet i Shkodra.

Hun er et fremtrædende medlem af Demokraterne og blev næstformand efter Genc Pollo. Hun har været næstformand for Parlamentet og blev parlamentsformand efter valget i 2005.

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Pyramideforetagender er en uofficiel betegnelse for investerings- eller salgsforetagender, hvor en bred bund skal finansiere udbyttet til en smal top, eller hvor de senest tilkommende skal finansiere udbyttet til de først tilkommende.

Pyramideforetagender kan tiltrække nye investorer eller sælgere ved at love og ved - til at begynde med - også at kunne dokumentere udbytter, der er væsentligt højere end der kan opnås ved almindelige investeringer eller ved en normal arbejdsindsats.

Nogle organisationer er opbygget på et tilsvarende princip. Senere tilkommende medlemmer kan konvertere høje kursusafgifter ved at rekruttere nye medlemmer.

Pyramidespil er en særlig type pyramideforetagende, der ofte lover et sikkert udbytte under forudsætning af at alle led i en kæde gør hvad de er anmodet om.

Albanien 1996-1997

I 1996-1997 blev der etableret flere pyramideforetagender i Albanien. Rygtet om store udbytter førte til at mange albanere investerede deres opsparede midler i foretagenderne.

Nogle af de indskudte midler blev investeret i almindelig erhvervsvirksomhed, men mange af dem blev brugt til at betale udbytte til de første investorer.

Efter relativt kort tid faldt udbyttet eller det udeblev helt, hvorefter investorer krævede at få deres indskudte midler tilbagebetalt. Da dette kun blev efterkommet i et begrænset omfang, gav det anledning til voldsomme protester, der senere udviklede sig til borgerkrigslignende tilstande. Mange af investorerne mistede deres opsparing. Nogle, der havde solgt husdyr og ejendom, eller som havde optaget lån i håbet om at opnå en stor og hurtig gevinst, fik deres sociale situation væsentligt forringet.

I sommeren 1997 førte uroen til at NATO intervenerede for at give mulighed for at der kunne afholdes parlamentsvalg. Valget førte til at Socialisterne fik regeringsmagten, og at præsident Sali Berisha blev erstattet af fysikprofessor Rexhep Meidani.

Der er efterfølgende sket retsforfølgelse af nogle af ejerne, og der er - i begrænset omfang - sket tilbagebetaling af de investerede midler.