Basha in Kosova ahead of independence declaration

TIRANA, Feb. 3 – Foreign Minister Lulzim Basha made a one-day visit to neighboring Kosova to talk with top officials to coordinate actions prior to the declaration of Kosovar independence and afterwards from the province. Basha, who met with President Fatmir Sejdiu, Parliament Speaker Jakup Krasniqi and Prime Minister Hashim Thaci, said he conveyed to them the message of Albanian Prime Minister Sali Berisha.
Basha said Albania had all of its resources at the disposal of the Kosovar efforts at these historic moments, he said referring to Berisha’s message. Basha also said the message included the appeal to the Kosovar population and leaders to be calm and mature at this moment and avoid any provocation.
Basha said Kosovar authorities have fully prepared made for their independence which will be declared in close coordination with Washington and Brussels. He further said everyone had focused on the achievements that an independent Kosova should have on its European and Euro-Atlantic integration efforts. Basha also said that the election of Boris Tadic as Serbia’s new president provided an opportunity for Serbia and would contribute to calmer Balkan region, adding that the victory of the moderating forces there would help the country in its integration efforts into NATO and the European Union.