Basha lobbies for Kosova at Islamic Conference

TIRANA, March 17 – Albanian Foreign Minister Lulzim Basha took part in the 11th summit of the Islamic Conference Organization held March 13-15 in Dakar, Senegal.
Basha spoke to the conference and also met with numerous participants in an effort to convince member countries to recognize Kosova, though the organization has previously committed itself to recognize Kosova.
However, Kosova is currently recognized only by 27 countries worldwide.
Officials note that recognition by Islamic Conference member countries would provide great assistance in Kosova’s struggle for international recognition.
“Lobbying for recognizing Kosova’s independence was Albania’s main goal at the summit,” according to a statement from the Foreign Ministry.
Basha also met with U.N. Secretary general Ban ki-moon who was present at the Dakar summit.
Basha asked representatives of member countries to support an independent Kosova, saying it would serve peace and stability in the region and beyond, according to the statement.
In his speech, Basha thanked those countries that had recognized Kosova and appealed to others to follow suit.
During the conference, the Albanian delegation presented a photo exhibition which included pictures of crimes committed by the Serb army and paramilitary forces during 1998 and 1999 in Kosova. Also, books and a photo album on Kosova were also distributed. During the conference, Basha also gave an interview to the Al Jazzeira news television station.
Basha called his trip to the summit “very successful,” pledging that Tirana’s diplomacy would continue to lobby for international recognition of Kosova during upcoming months.
At the summit there were special representatives from the U.S., UK, France, EU and also Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov.