TIRANA, March 22 – The Russian Embassy to Tirana dismissed Thursday what it called an “incompetent“ statement by Albania’s foreign ministry on the alleged Russian nerve agent attack on a former Russian double-agent Sergei Skripal and his daughter.
In a mocking reply to the Albanian statement, Russia’s embassy called on Albania to present evidence to back its letter of support to the United Kingdom.
Albania’s Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs released a statement on Wednesday on “Russia’s chemical attack on the UK,” strongly condemning the attack that took place on March 4, 2018.
“As part of the Chemical Weapons Convention, Albania condemns every kind of attack from state and non-state actors, and considers them violations of international justice that undermine international order and jeopardize citizens’ lives,” the statement said.
The statement added the Albanian side fully supports the UK in finding and bringing the crime perpetrators to justice.
Soon thereafter, the Russian Embassy’s statement was published on social media, expressing displeasure with Albania’s statement.
“We respect the MEFA specialists and have no reason to question they are responsible in drafting the official statements of the institution they represent. This is why we have reason to believe our Albanian colleagues have evidence which proves Russia’s implication with Sergei Skripal and his daughter’s poisoning,” the statement said, urging MEFA to bring that evidence forward.
According to the Russian diplomats, the UK, which has raised serious accusations towards Russia, has refused to present evidence according to international procedures several times.
For this reason, the letter continues, “it is highly likely the UK has no evidence to present, making whatever evidence Albania may have a critical factor for the international community and Russia in particular.”
In this context, the Russian diplomats call hiding such information unacceptable and opposing the interests of all the states involved.
“We reiterate: we cannot believe the Albanian side blamed Russia on the Salisbury assassination attempt without sufficient and strong arguments. Otherwise, it would be the case of lack of competence from the MFA, even of a intentional manipulation of public opinion,” the statement added.
Skripal and his daughter Yulia were hospitalized in Salisbury, England, after being poisoned and collapsing from a nerve agent developed by the Soviet Union during the Cold War.
So far, the British government, France, the US and Germany have blamed Russia for the attack, with Britain’s Prime Minister Theresa May saying it is “highly likely” the attack was either state-sponsored or coming from another group which Russia allowed acquire the military, toxic nerve agent, though no official evidence has been presented.
On Thursday, the MFA changed the title of its statement, but did not make any additional comments.
