Haxhinasto says OSCE key for democracy in Western Balkans

VIENNA, Oct. 15 – Albanian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Edmond Haxhinasto addressed the Special Session of the OSCE Permanent Council, a key decision-making body of the 56-country OSCE community, praising the OSCE’s engagement in the Western Balkans, stressing the need for closer regional integration, and also speaking about Albania’s intention to promote tolerance and non-discrimination and assist the democratic transition in the Mediterranean. “OSCE is a key partner in the consolidation of peace, stability and democracy in the Western Balkans,” Haxhinasto said, stressing that it is in the best interest of our governments and people to make full use of the OSCE’s field presence and its independent institutions to further national reforms. Haxhinasto underlined the important role of the OSCE and its Presence in supporting the country’s reforms “seeking concrete ways for relevant Albanian authorities to gradually take over the responsibilities in the areas where the country has made tangible progress”. He mentioned positive on-going co-operation with the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights. “The Government of Albania intends to carry out a comprehensive electoral reform that meets the recommendations of the 2009 and 2011 ODIHR reports,” the Minister said. Haxhinasto underlined the “remarkable progress towards stability and development” the Western Balkans region has made and also noted a “positive trend” in bilateral relations. “A new page has been turned in the Western Balkans after Kosovo’s independence,” he said. “Today there is an opportunity for Serbs and Kosovars alike to shed the past behind. Things are not easy, but they are not impossible, if all the communities adopt the vision of a shared future in the European Union, rather than that of the divisive past.” The Minister stressed the need to overcome remaining challenges in bilateral relations, in enhancing regional integration on the basis of all-inclusiveness, as well as in reinforcing European integration processes. “The region needs to make further progress in integrating within itself, with quality infrastructure, removing all non-physical barriers, introducing free movement of people, as well as co-operating in combating crime, corruption and illicit trafficking,” he said.