TIRANA, July 21 – Foreign Minister Lulzim Basha made an official visit to Spain to meet with his Spanish counterpart Miguel Angel Moratinos.
The two ministers discussed many bilateral issues and also items of international interest.
Basha thanked Spain for its assistance in the country’s integration efforts into the European Union.
Spain is one of the first ten countries that ratified the Stabilization and Association Agreement Albania signed with EU last year.
Spain is heading the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe this year and has been very active in Albania’s political developments.
The two ministers discussed the redefinition of the OSCE status and mission in Albania.
Moratinos also assured Basha of Spain’s support for Albania’s efforts to join NATO next year.
Additionally, Kosova was a major topic of discussion during the talks.
Basha said that delays in Kosova’s status would not produce stability in the region. He added that NATO and the EU should take the diplomatic initiative to put in force the recommendations of Marti Ahtisaari’s UN program on Kosova, that is, recognize it as an independent state and install an EU mission to replace UNMIK.
Both ministers signed a memorandum of understanding on cooperation between the two countries and another memorandum on cooperation of the two foreign ministries.
Basha also met with other senior officials of the Spanish parliament and businessmen.
