NATO to help Albania’s democracy, says Basha

TIRANA, Feb. 20 – NATO membership is not linked only with the country’s security problems but with an overall and long-term strategy to take the country ahead and achieve democratic standards and economic development, said Foreign Minister Lulzim Basha in an interview with Europe’s World magazine. A NATO membership would serve to speed up economic, political and military reforms, said the minister.
“Albania has always considered the NATO membership more than a way to improve the existing security situation. It is also a goal having its impact on our long-term development.”
Tirana hopes to get the NATO membership invitation at the Bucharest summit in early April.
Polls have shown that 95 percent of Albanians support a NATO membership. The minister mentioned strong steps and measures taken during their two-and-a-half years of governing in the rule of law, market economy, justice and legislation. Albania has also had progress in the fight against corruption, organized crime, illegal trafficking, money laundry and the fight against economic and financial crime, he said. The army has been reorganized and modernized. It has also been noted a significant improvement in the classified information on security issues.
Albania also signed in 2006 the Stabilization and Association Agreement with the European Union and has strengthened cooperation with EU member countries and those of southeast Europe, which is helping the country to preserve and promote stability.
Albania has always been commended for its moderate role in the Balkan region and also for its religious harmony, the minister said.