Albania supports Kosova’s independence

TIRANA, Dec. 15-17 – Following the recent intensive diplomatic campaign Albania is holding worldwide, Foreign Minister Besnik Mustafaj held a three-day visit to Kosova last weekend, the second he has made, to meet with all top Albanian and international official there. The visit aimed not only at strengthening relations between the two countries and intensifying the collaboration in the regional projects, but also to talk on the process of the status talks on Kosova.
In his first day of visit Mustafaj met with Kosova’s President Fatmir Sejdiu, also elected as head of the governing Democratic League of Kosova recently. They discussed about the bilateral relations and also the regional impact. They both hailed the stand preserved from Kosovar political class during the status talks. Mustafaj said that Albanian, or better say Tirana, diplomacy though not a direct factor in the talks it will continue to be active and give its assistance to U.N. Envoy Martti Ahtisaari’s mission. Mustafaj also met with the vice chairman of the Democratic Party of Kosova Fatmir Limaj to talk about the final status. They also talked on Kosova’s importance for regional stability and security.
Kosova Prime Minister Agim Ceku thanked Mustafaj for Albania’s international role in supporting Kosova’s independence as the only solution. “None has reason to fear our close relations because Kosova and Albania as two countries will factors of stability in the region,” said Ceku after the meeting. Albania also has made clear it does not intend border change. “Kosova is not a country that we as neighbors expect surprises and that is a great advantage and credit of Kosova’s people and its government,” said Mustafaj.
In the meeting with Kosova Speaker Kole Berisha Mustafaj said that it was clear that the Albanian majority in the Kosova parliament had a clear respect for the minorities and for their participation in all the country’s institutions and political life. “After this talk I feel calmer even in the next international communication,” said Mustafaj.
Mustafaj also met with UNMIK head Joachim Rucker to talk on how Kosova was proceeding in fulfilling the standards required from the international community in creating the local democracy and creating the legal state that respects human rights of everyone. Mustafaj also hailed Rucker’s contribution on Kosova’s progress and supported his appeal to everyone for maturity and self-restraint. Both said that the sooner the status was defined the better for the security in the region. They also added the importance of the international presence even after the definition of Kosova’s status. Both officials supported the idea of the U.N. Envoy Martti Ahtisaari that Kosova was a unique case.
Albania has been strongly supporting Kosova’s independence and has been involved in an international campaign on its support. But Tirana has also stressed that it does not intend to change border and join with Kosova and also it has stressed the importance of respecting human rights of the Kosova minorities, especially the Serb one. The Albanian government has also said that delaying Kosova’s status was only promoting extremists on both sides.
Mustafaj’s visit was also well covered from the regional media outlets. “It is important to negotiate at least conditional independence for Kosovo because independence is still a key word there,” Mustafaj was quoted after the meeting with Kosovo President Fatmir Sejdiu by the Serbian B52 radio station. In Mustafaj’s words Albania as a Kosovo neighbor has a significant role in the regional stability. That is why Albania stands for a diplomatic initiative to bring Russia and China over recognizing Kosovo’s independence, “which will be of high importance to the regional stability,” Mustafaj explained.
“Albania, as Kosovo’s neighbor and a country interested in regional stability, remains convinced that only Kosovo’s independence can lead to the regional stability. 1999 events show that Kosovo’s instability reflects on Albania the most”, Mustafaj said, according to Beta news agency.
Albania’s Foreign Minister Besnik Mustafaj has called on the Kosovo Albanians to preserve the multiethnic society in the UN-administered province on the eve of a decision on the Kosovo status due at the beginning of 2007. “The Albanian government doesn’t support trends, which exclude minorities from Kosovo’s society,” said Mr. Mustafaj. “Independent Kosovo will be meaningful only as a state of all its citizens”, the Albanian Foreign Minister stated.