Mesic honored with medal, Albania, Croatia look to boost ties

TIRANA, March 18 – Visiting Croatian President Stipe Mesic was honored Friday with the Mother Teresa medal for his contribution in strengthening ties of friendship and cooperation between the two countries and urging the spirit of good understanding in the region. “It is important that our two countries have not unresolved issues and an Albanian community lives in Croatia becoming a factor of friendship between us,” said President Alfred Moisiu at the ceremony.
Mesic held a two-day visit to Albania also to promote his book “How Yugoslavia dissolved.” The promotion ceremony was held from the Institute of Dialogue and Communication and the Forum of the Albanian Intellectuals. Moisiu considered the book a document with historic values and a reliable reference. The book was translated into Albanian.
Mesic visit also served for both countries to further strengthen their ties. Both countries want to become members of the European Union and NATO. Mesic also met with Prime Minister Sali Berisha, both saying their two countries have already enjoyed very good relationship. The two countries are struggling to join the NATO and are parties to the Adriatic Charter, which they signed, along with Macedonia, with the US in 2003 to facilitate their entry into the club. Berisha also expressed the hope that Croatia’s experience in implementing the EU’s Stabilization and Association Agreement (SAA) would help Albania. Croatia has already begun entry talks with the club, a few steps ahead of Albania which just signed the SAA pact with the EU last June.