Russian lawmaker visits Tirana

TIRANA, Dec. 20 – Konstantin Kosacov, Chairman of the Committee for Foreign Relations of the Russian State Duma, made a two-day visit to Albania where he met with many top officials.
Bilateral ties, economic exchange and regional issues were the main topics of talks. Kosacov met with Prime Minister Sali Berisha speaking about the recent hike of the bilateral ties especially in the lasts five years. Both leaders pledged to extend the bilateral ties especially in energy, mines, tourism and infrastructure.
Kosacov also met with Foreign Minister Edmond Haxhinasto to talk on the potentials and the need for further intensification of the bilateral relations between Albania and Russia. Kosacov confirmed Russia’s will to deepen the bilateral relations at all areas of mutual benefit with Albania.
Haxhinasto underlined the need to boost the economic cooperation, particularly in energy, tourism and trade exchanges. Haxhinasto welcomed the conclusions of the Lisbon NATO Summit for a growing partnership between NATO and Russia on the issues of international security. The minister emphasized Albania’s constructive role, as a promoter of peace, cooperation and integration. Likewise, he underlined the role of independent Kosovo, as a factor of stability and security and stated that that Albanians will unify among them, when the states where they are living would be members of the EU.
Russia has not recognized Kosovo, which it still considers as part of Serbia.