Albania in constant contact with Russian leaders on Kosova status

TIRANA, Jan. 29 – The Russian news agency Itar-Tass reported Tuesday that Tirana was in constant contact with Russian leaders and with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on Kosova’s status process.
The same news agency also released an interview conducted with Albanian Foreign Minister Lulzim Basha in New York, where he met with the U.S. Secretary of State, saying that a proclamation of Kosova’s independence was a matter of “several weeks or even several days”.
“I dare say that the last chance for continuing the talks expired with the end of the operation of the trio,” the minister said.
“It’s time now for forward movement. Incidentally, not only for the sake of the Kosova people who lived through numerous suffering and who deserve the right to a better future, but also for the purpose of establishing peace and security in the entire region.”
“We have a very balanced, just and promising plan. This is the plan (of UN secretary-general’s special representative Martti) Ahtisaari, and it should be translated into life,” said Basha.
Asked about the state of, and prospects for, the development of cooperation between Albania and Russia, the diplomat noted that despite the present differences in views on some issues, “its range is very broad – from energy to education.”
“We seek to perk up cooperation in all directions, including such areas as the economy, culture, education and, of course, politics,” the Albanian minister underlined.
Russia has made it clear it would not recognize a unilateral declaration of Kosova’s independence, considering those illegitimate calling for further talks.(Tirana Times Staff)