Tirana Times
TIRANA, June 29 – Israeli Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman, who was on a two-day official visit to Albania, tried to lobby Tirana against the recognition of the Palestinian state but he also made it clear that Israel was not likely to recognize Kosovo soon.
Albanian Foreign Minister Edmond Haxhinasto met on Tuesday in Tirana with Lieberman’s visit to Albania marks the first visit of an Israeli foreign minister to Albania in 17 years.
Lieberman also made it clear that Israel would recognize Kosovo only after a few European countries, like Greece, would do that, which practically means almost never, or not in the near future. Among other things Lieberman’s visit to Albania was made in an effort to gain support against Palestine’s bid for United Nations membership.
The Palestinian state is expected to apply for UN membership in the General Assembly in September.Albania was the first country to recognize the Palestinian Authority as representative of Palestinian people in mid-70s. It has since been recognized by over 100 countries, including many Latin American countries.
Lieberman has warned the Palestinians against going ahead with their plan to seek statehood at the United Nations.
“Any unilateral steps will damage the peace process and consequences of these unilateral steps are unpredictable,” he said in the Croatian capital, Zagreb on Monday during a tour of Europe, Reuters reported.
Israel’s direct talks with the Palestinian Authority hit a stalemate late last year after Tel Aviv refused to extend a partial freeze on its construction of illegal Jewish settlements on the occupied lands.
The Israeli and Albanian diplomats evaluated the good political relations that exist between the two countries and expressed their willingness to extend cooperation in the economic field.
The two foreign ministers also confirmed the mutual interest for economic cooperation in various sectors such as energy, tourism and agriculture, local media reported on Tuesday.
Lieberman is accompanied on his visit by a delegation of 17 Israeli business representatives who are going to discuss cooperation potential and opportunities with Albanian businessmen during a bilateral business forum held Wednesday in Tirana.
“In this visit, we will discuss different issues of our joint agenda and their perspective,” the Albanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced in a press release. Lieberman is expected to meet the Prime Minister Sali Berisha, the President Bamir Topi and the Speaker of the Parliament Jozefina Topalli.
Lieberman visited Croatia, Albania and Austria in an attempt to persuade the countries’ officials to avoid supporting the Palestinian initiative.
