During Security Forum meeting, Basha appeals for fast Kosova solution

TIRANA, July 2 – Albanian Foreign Minister, Lulzim Basha, took part in the Security Forum of the Euro-Atlantic Partnership Council held in Ohrid, Macedonia June 28-29. Kosova was one of the main topics of the forum, as well as other issues such as security in South East Europe, Euro-Atlantic area, global security and energy. It was clearly stressed by many participants, including NATO Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer, that the Ahtisaari package was the best solution for Kosova. U.N. envoy and former Finnish President, Martti Ahtisaari, has sent a package to the U.N. Security Council proposing supervised independence for Kosova. Meanwhile, KFOR forces, probably in another format and name, will continue to be present in Kosova, together with a European mission. This has been strongly opposed by Belgrade, Serbia and their close ally Russia. Basha said at the forum that the Security Council should immediately pass another resolution based on the Ahtisaari package. Basha also was against any veto, which could come from Moscow at the Security Council, adding that the delay of the status process could threaten peace and stability not only in Kosova but also in the region. Basha also took part at the Adriatic 3 Charter meeting. Albania, together with Croatia and Macedonia and supported by the United States, want to become full NATO members as early as next year during NATO’s Bucharest summit. Bosnia, Montenegro and Serbia were also present at the meeting, as members of the NATO’s Partnership for Peace program.