Kosova’s Ceku visits Albania ahead of crucial UN actions

TIRANA, May 9 – Kosovar Prime Minister Agim Ceku made a visit to Albania to meet with top Albanian officials and also take part in the Krans Montana forum.
Ceku met with Albanian Prime Minister Sali Berisha, President Alfred Moisiu and also opposition Socialist party leader Edi Rama.
Albania is a strong supporter of Kosova’s independence and has been involved in a diplomatic initiative, especially during the last months when the United Nations has been discussing the independence proposal made by its envoy President Martti Ahtisaari.
Berisha assured Ceku of Albania’s doing its utmost so that Ahtisaari’s independence package is soon turned into a reality for Kosova. Albania considers that Kosova’s independence will be a decisive factor for peace and stability in Kosova and the region.
Berisha also thanked the United States and the Contact Group for their work on the status process.
“Once again I appeal to the Russian government to reconsider its policy on the Balkans because the history of the past century has proved that those policies, which are based on Serb hegemonism, have brought great dramas to the Balkans,” said Berisha at a news conference after meeting with Ceku. “Such politics has no chance and no future to create peace and stability.”
Berisha also said that he hoped the U.N. Security Council will not delay a resolution on Kosova and that the European Union would soon assume a supervising role in an independent Kosova.
“Kosova’s independence is not only good for Kosovar citizens but also to the profit and interest of the regional countries,” said Ceku. “With Kosova’s independence there comes to an end all the obstacles for cooperation and integration of all the countries as partners and friends into the European integration.”
“We are expecting a fast ratification of a resolution of the Security Council based on Ahtisaari’s package. That resolution would open the way to independence as the only and the best solution not only for Kosova but also for the region,” he said. Ceku also talked with Albanian officials on further expanding relations in additional areas between the two countries.