Basha says Kosova cannot remain a pawn

TIRANA, Sep. 15 – Albanian Foreign Minister Lulzim Basha took part last weekend at the meeting of the South East European Cooperation Process held in Sofia, Bulgaria, where he stressed his government’s will for good neighborliness and cooperation with all countries in that region.
The SEECP is made up of Albania, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Greece, Macedonia, Moldova, Romania, Serbia-Montenegro and Turkey.
Bosnia will be the new headquarters for the Secretariat.
Kosova was a main topic discussed in the meeting as it was mentioned to be directly linked to regional security and stability and also considered a factor that could delay the integration of the Western Balkans into the European Union.
“Kosova cannot remain a pawn of an undefined status,” said Basha, repeating Tirana’s stand of support to the solution given by the Ahtisaari package.
“The Ahtisaari Package is not a product of the region but it reflects a balanced and fair proposal that enjoys the support of the EU, NATO and most of the Security Council members,” he said.
“Aware that without the solution of the Kosova status there would be no speaking of a calm and stable Balkans, Albania has declared, more than once, that it is to respect the existing borders, including those of the neighboring Kosova,” Basha said.