Turkey supports Albania’s NATO bid

ANKARA – Albanian Foreign Minister Lulzim Basha continues to gather international support for the country’s bid for NATO membership at the April Bucharest summit. Basha was on an official visit to Turkey where he met with top Turkish leaders. Turkish Foreign Minister Ali Babacan announced his country’s strong backing for Albania’s bid to join NATO.
“Turkey will strongly support the two candidate countries, Macedonia and Croatia, as well as Albania being invited for membership in the April 2008 NATO summit in Bucharest,” he told reporters at a joint press conference with Basha.
Basha noted that Turkey was becoming an important global actor.
“Turkey’s support for not only Albania, but also for Macedonia and Croatia’s membership in NATO, signals that Ankara is an actor that attaches importance to peace and stability in the Balkans, in the region and in the broader area,” he said. Babacan said trade relations with Albania have gained momentum. The trade volume increased four-fold over the last five years and exceeded 300 million dollars last year.
Turkey’s direct investments in Albania reached 620 million dollars in 2007, up from 35 million dollars in 2002, according to Babacan, who also noted that the Turkish-Albanian free trade agreement will enter force very soon will promote trade and investments.
The two foreign ministers discussed regional and international developments, including Kosova, during their meeting.
Kosova’s independence is a new chance for Serbia, and a peaceful solution to the Kosova problem offers an opportunity for European Union membership, said Basha.
He emphasized that the recognition of Kosova’s independence was an important step for the Balkans’ European integration and the maintenance of peace and stability in the region. Both countries have recognized Kosova after its proclamation of independence on February 17.
Babacan said Albania was an important country for helping to maintain the peace and welfare in the Balkans and played a key role in the region’s European integration thanks to the policies it has pursued. Turkey and Albania also work together in regional organizations including the cooperation process with southeast European countries and the Black Sea Economic Cooperation (BSEC).