Berisha – Albanian Nation Will Be United In Europe

PRISHTINA, Oct 7 – The Albanian Prime Minister made a two-day visit to neighboring Kosovo ruling out unification between his country and Kosovo, saying the two nations hope to join the European Union separately.
That was obviously also a reaction to the concern expressed from Belgrade and Moscow with statements from their foreign ministers on that issue.
Berisha said the, “Ʈational ideal of the Albanians is the European ideal.”
“All fight and efforts of the Albanians wherever they are, in Albania, Kosovo and elsewhere are to catch the European time,” said Berisha.
Kosovo’s ethnic Albanian leaders declared independence from Serbia in February 2008.
Albania and Kosovo have agreed to allow their citizens to move freely between their countries, but Serbian officials have accused Berisha of seeking to unify Albania with Kosovo.
Albania has also opened up the northern seaport of Shengjin for Kosovo’s use and built a highway linking the two countries through Albania’s rugged mountains.
Officials from both sides signed agreements Monday on border police cooperation and customs.
After addressing Kosovo’s 120-seat multiethnic assembly, Berisha was awarded Kosovo’s highest honor, the Golden Medal of Freedom.
“Allow me to […] express my special satisfaction that today Kosovo has in its heart the man who has dedicated his life to supporting Kosovo’s freedom and independence,” Sejdiu said.
“Albania will offer Kosovo every help that it can. Albania is determined to renew with the greatest possible speed all infrastructure links,” Berisha responded.
Kosovo’s independence has been recognized by 62 countries, including the United States, but is rejected by Serbia and Russia.
Six agreements were signed on Tuesday, including protocols on customs and border policing.
Berisha also met Kosovo Prime Minister Hashim Thaci. “Mr Berisha, Kosovo’s people welcome you,” Thaci said in a joint press conference.
“You realized the Albanian dream, the construction of the Durres-Kukes-Morine highway. We are also counting the days to the start of work on the Kosovo section,” the Kosovo premier said.
Berisha also addressed the Kosovo Assembly and is expected to receive an honorary doctorate from Prishtina University and was declared an ‘honorable citizen’ of Prizren.
Berisha said that the international forces in Kosovo will guarantee peace not only in the province, but in the entire region.
Asked during a meeting with KFOR’s commander, German Lieutenant General Markus Bentler, about the possibility of Albanian soldiers participating in KFOR, Berisha replied that Albanian troops could be a part of KFOR, but that they were not interested currently.
“KFOR is in Kosovo like an important factor to peace and stability, but also a factor that will assist Kosovo and its security forces in the process of preparation for NATO integration. The EU has brought EULEX in Kosovo to assist in building the rule of law, consolidation of the institutions and in fact it is giving assistance to the European perspective of Kosovo.”
Berisha also met with EU Civilian Representative Pieter Feith.
Berisha considered Kosovo’s prospects in NATO and the EU as the best way that would offer to the Kosovo government and the people an “excellent road map” for the reforms in consolidating the new state.
Berisha met with a great number of investors of the Economic Chamber of Kosovo coming from all over Kosovo explaining his government’s reforms, adding that in the coming four years he aimed at creating the greatest facilities for businesses and investors.
He invited Kosovo businesses to invest in Albania.
Berisha paid homage to the grave of the former President of Kosovo, the late Ibrahim Rugova. He also visited Rugova’s family and met the widow and his children.
“Ibrahim Rugova has constantly inspired the Albanians in all their efforts for development, integration and the deserved future,” he said.
Berisha also visited Prekaz village the birthplace of Adem Jashari, a Kosovo national hero.