Albania recognizes independent Kosova

TIRANA, Feb. 19 – Minutes after Washington made its formal statement of recognition, Albania recognized Kosova’s independence Monday.
Prime Minister Sali Berisha appeared at a news conference Monday evening to say the future ties between the two countries would help the new state’s economy, also stressing that Albania’s Adriatic ports were open to their ethnic brethren.
Albania has formally recognized neighboring Kosova, Berisha said on Monday, repeating they did not intend to alter the international borders, that is, unite with Kosova afterwards and insisting that the future of both countries included integration into NATO and the European Union.
“Confirming our commitment (to the preservation of) international borders, the Albanian government intends to further expand, in all fields, its good neighborly relations with Kosova,” Berisha said.
Berisha also praised the U.S. and other countries who have so far recognized Kosova, and urged other U.N. members to follow suit. “Albania believes that United Nations member countries will also recognize Kosova as being another contribution to peace in the Balkans,” he said.
Albania opened its borders in 1999 to receive 700-800,000 Kosovar ethnic Albanians fleeing a Serb crackdown from the then-Slobodan Milosevic regime.
Tirana was very careful and did not recognize an independent Kosova before the U.S. and other European powers had made their announcements. On Tuesday, the government nominated Islam Lauka as ambassador to that new country.