EP to Repeat Call on Albania to End Stalemate

Albanians vote in the June 2009 parliamentary electionsEuropean deputies will vote today on a draft resolution on Albania that calls on the politicians in Tirana to end the political stalemate that the country continues to face more than one year after the parliamentary elections of June 2009.

The draft resolution stresses that “fully functioning institutions, especially the Parliament, are the backbone of a consolidated democratic system and (...) an important political criterion for EU integration".

In the resolution that will be voted on Thursday, MEPs acknowledge Albania's progress on reform, but stress the need for further substantial efforts to consolidate democracy and the rule of law and foster the country's sustainable development, including a reform of the judicial system and the fight against corruption, which "is still a prevailing problem".

The text, drafted by Greek MEP Nikolaos Chountis, reminds the Albanian authorities that one of the prerequisites for membership in the EU is judicial reform, including the enforcement of court decisions and ensuring the separation of powers in a democratic society. “A transparent, impartial and efficient judiciary, independent of any political and other pressures or control, is fundamental to the rule of law,” the draft resolution says.

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The text of the draft resolution welcomes Albania's initiatives to waive visa requirements for the EU neighborhood countries. However, MEPs warn that these initiatives should be taken in parallel with the visa liberalisation process underway between the Schengen countries and countries of the Western Balkans.

ECHR on Greeks abroad vote


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The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) has ruled that Greece has “not proceeded to ensure through the necessary legislation that the Greeks living abroad will be able to exercise the right to vote from their place of residence.”Nevertheless, the Court declined to award compensation to the plaintiffs.

The applicants, Nikolaos Sitaropoulos and Christos Giakoumopoulos, both living in Strasbourg, France, appealed to ECHR because they were unable to exercise their right to vote in the Sept. 16, 2007 Greek national elections from their place of residence. Both are Court of Europe (CoE) officials.According to the ruling — issued on July 8, 2010 — the applicants contacted the Greek ambassador to France on Sept. 10, 2007 and requested to exercise their voting rights in France for the Greek parliamentary elections, being permanent residents of France.

Pyrros Dimas in USA invited by Pan Epirotic federation


Members of the board of the Panepirotic Federation of America, and members of the Northern Epirus Society of Boston had the honor of having dinner with 4 time Olympic weight lifting medalist Pyrros Dimas. Mr Dimas with origin from Himara, Northern Epirus is in America for a few weeks.

Mr Dimas in an interview with the Panepirotic conveyed to us that he was extremely happy to meet with representatives of the POA once again. He also wanted to thank all the Epirotes and Greeks in America for the support he has received in the past.

Photo:

Minelaos Sotiris President Northern Epirus Society of Boston, Dimitris Bollanos, Pyrros Dimas, Nestoras Bollanos, and Dimitrios Koutoulas general Secretary Panepirotic Federation USA

American scenarios: partition of Kosovo?

"The best solution for Serbia is seeking the partition of Kosovo," said Stephen Meyer, a professor at the Political Security and National Defense University in Washington. "Belgrade", says the agency «Makfax», «must first recognize the Kosovo's independence, south of the Ibar river, while ground north of the Ibar (Ibar) be declared Serbian, "said Meyer in an interview at the Serbian magazine" Nin ". The American professor said that Belgrade should send military and police units north the Ibar, not a race, but by helping to ensure peace and protection of Serbs in those areas.

Stiven Meyer a CIA expert, said that the Serbian government should then insist on a new draft resolution the United Nations to guarantee the lives and property of Serbs south of Ibar. Showed, indeed, the view that the request of Serbia to the International Court of Justice to resolve the Kosovo problem was a naive decision of Belgrade. "Unless, of course, if the government is seeking a scapegoat for the loss of Kosovo," said Meyer the reporter of 'Nin'.

Regional Summit in Dubrovnik Kicks Off

Belgrade | 09 July 2010 | Bojana Barlovac

Dubrovnik

The fifth regional summit on energy, investments and economic development kicks off on Thursday in the coastal Croatian town of Dubrovnik with the participation of leaders from the region and Europe.

The two-day summit, hosted by Croatia, will cover the EU and NATO integration of the Western Balkan countries, co-operation in the energy sector and new economic projects.

The event will be attended by French Prime Minister Francois Fillon, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, Bulgarian PM Boyko Borisov, as well as the prime ministers of Montenegro, Slovenia, Kosovo and Albania, Milo Djukanovic, Borut Pahor, Hashim Thaci and Sali Berisha, respectively, .

Bosnian Foreign Minister Sven Alkalaj and his Macedonian counterpart Antonio Milososki are also expected, as well as representatives of NATO and the EU and other international organisations.

Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi has canceled his participation at the gathering due to internal political reasons.

Serbia will not participate in the summit. Kosovo PM Hashim Tachi will take part in the event and Belgrade, which strongly opposes the independence of Kosovo, regularly refuses to participate in events where Kosovo representatives are present and not participating under the auspices of the UN.

According to the web portal Seetimes.com, Serbian Foreign Minister Vuk Jeremic refused to take part in the summit after Croatian authorities broke a scheduling agreement. Jeremic was reportedly set to speak during the first day of the summit, but was rescheduled to speak on the second day, together with members of the Kosovo delegation, the web portal reports.

GREECE LOOKS TO REINVIGORATE ECONOMY THROUGH “GREEN TECHNOLOGIES”

Greek Deputy Foreign Minister Spyros Kouvelis appeared at the Woodrow Wilson Center to discuss Greece's efforts to shift away from fossil fuels while still facing an economy-crippling financial crisis. He discussed his nation’s goal of raising renewable energy usage ten-fold to meet European Union renewable targets for 2020.

Greece has attempted to reinvigorate climate change talks by suggesting a regionally focused approach that would allow other countries outside of the European Union to formulate climate measures that fit their national needs. It has already begun negotiating with other Mediterranean nations and has pointed to the possibility of climate-induced droughts in African and Asian as motivation for other countries to utilize the same approach.

In December 2009, the U.N. Climate Change Conference attempted to produce a legally binding treaty to reduce greenhouse gases, but the "Copenhagen Accord" is not legally enforceable. Countries from around the world are set to meet later this year for U.N.-sponsored climate talks in Cancun, Mexico.

Diplomatic Diary: Papandreou awarded Germany's Quadriga Prize

05/10/2010

Greece's George Papandreou is praised as a role model. Also in diplomatic news: Serbia and Macedonia sign a readmission agreement.

Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou (right) receives the award in Berlin. [Reuters]

Minister George Papandreou was awarded Germany's Quadriga Prize for "Power of Veracity" in Berlin on Sunday (October 3rd). The prize, awarded on the Day of German Unity every year by the non-profit Werkstatt Deutschland organisation, is traditionally given to "role models who are committed to enlightenment". Papandreou vowed his country will manage to overcome its debt crisis and implement the reforms needed to bring its finances in check.

UN Security Council on tensions in Kosovo

B92, Beta

NEW YORK -- The UN Security Council held an emergency session called by Serbia in New York on Tuesday. The UN Security Council (FoNet, file) The meeting came in order to review the situation in Kosovo after a bomb attack which left one person dead during a Serb protest rally in Kosovo Mitrovica last week. The Serbs were protesting against the opening of a Kosovo Albanian government office there. The Serbs do not recognize the authority of that government. Serbian President Boris Tadić addressed the council and referred to the incident as a flagrant act of terrorism aimed at sabotaging a solution that would lead to negotiations. The UN mission in Kosovo, UNMIK, chief and UN SC ambassadors called on dialog. Tadić also said the "sinister plan to unilaterally install by force an unlawful and unwanted regime in one part of Kosovo" had the backing of EU representative and ICO chief in Kosovo Pieter Feith. While five EU countries have not recognized the Kosovo Albanian unilateral independence declaration, ICO represents the five leading countries that have, and are actively promoting it http://www.b92.net/eng/news/politics-article.php?yyyy=2010&mm=07&dd=07&nav_id=68277

European Parliament to Debate on Albania

Tirana | 07 July 2010 |

The European Parliament building, Strasbourg, France. Photo by Davor Konjikusic

The European Parliament will hold a debate on Albania on Wednesday, with MEPs and the EU foreign affairs chief Catherine Ashton expected to participate. The Parliament is also expected to vote on a resolution on Albania drafted by Greek left-wing MEP Nikolaos Chountis. Speaking for Deutsche Welle radio Chountis said that the resolution was the result of the consensus of all the parliamentary groups in the European Parliament.

“My opinion is that we should help Albania to push forward with necessary steps toward democracy in order to move closer to the European Union,” Chountis said.

“We back the visa liberalisation that should happen as fast as possible, however the country has many problems and the government and the main opposition group should try harder to resolve the political crisis,” he added.

Albania has faced political deadlock since the country's June 2009 parliamentary elections. Prime Minister Sali Berisha from the ruling Democratic Party and opposition leader Edi Rama of the Socialists have been locked in a stalemate over the results of the elections, which Berisha's party narrowly won.

Berisha and Rama have so far failed to agree on the powers of a parliamentary commission set to investigate alleged irregularities in the parliamentary ballot held on June 28, 2009.

While the Socialists seek a recount of the ballots, claiming that the government’s alleged fraud was to blame for their electoral loss, the majority insists that the opposition has exhausted all legal means for a recount to take place.

The 3rd meeting of the Epirotes of Europe

The 23rd and 24th of October are the dates of the third meeting of the Epirotes of Europe in Stuttgart , according to an announcement of the Federation.

The first day, a cultural night will be organized with a dancing presentation by dancing groups from all over the Europe. The next day, an economic forum will be organized.

Petros Efthumiou for President of O.S.C.E

The member of the Greek Parliament, Petros Efthumiou who belongs to the Pan-Hellenic Socialist Party is pretending his right to be elected President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (O.S.C.E).
The imminent elections will be carried out in Oslo of Norway, on Saturday the 10th of July.

The President of the Parliamentary Assembly of O.S.C.E is elected with a secret vote by its 320 parliamentary members from the parliaments of the 56 countries participating in the organization.

Mr. Efthumiou has been elected Vice- President of the Parliamentary Assembly of O.S.C.E in July 2009 getting the most votes of all his opponents. He is a member of the Greek representatives since 2004 while in 2006 he was elected Vice-President of the General Committee of Economic Affairs, Science, Technology and Environment of the Parliamentary Assembly of Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe and in 2008 he was elected President of the same Committee.

In a press conference he gave to the Greek Parliament he commented the Greek candidacy as “one of the best moments of the Greek diplomacy that is much more important in this crucial period for our country”.

Albanians in FYROM: We Want join with Albania

The Albanians of FYROM are seeking to joint Albania!"The exchange of land between Kosovo and Serbia is a risky proposition for all countries in the region," says the Albanian newspaper in FYROM. According to Former Prime Minister of Macedonia, Vlado Buckovski, Macedonia, a country that suffered the greatest impact from a potential 'commercial' exchange of Pristina to Belgrade to the Kosovo region, North Presevo.

The Buckovski believes that the only way to preserve the borders of the Balkans is to integrate the region into NATO. "The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia was the main loser in such a case. As things came from the Prime Minister, Nikola Gruevski, must know that this time is the number 'A' priority of the country is to join NATO in order to prevent this from happening, "said Buckovski. According to Chairman of the party BDK Kosovo Chousni Shakira, this is a Serbian political scenario.

"The exchange of land is a game of Serbia. The politicians in Kosovo to show wisdom and not fall victims of this policy because there can be no dialogue on the territorial status of Kosovo. The region of Presevo is ours, which was captured by the Serbs since 1912, "said Shakir (Shaqiri). However, it will add the Shakira that a possible division of Kosovo, Albanians in Macedonia will seek to unite with Kosovo or Albania. If the Macedonians do not want to coexist with the Albanians, through a referendum issue could be resolved, "said the Shakira.

The former interior minister, Lubomir Frckovski, said such a scenario, an exchange of territories "will make Bosnia" Macedonia. Albanian historian Ramiz Abdul will highlight: "Such a scenario, change the border, would cause a major fire that could spread beyond the Balkans"

Zehrudin Dokle: Gora is most preserved Bulgarian brand in Albania

FOCUS News Agency

Zehrudin Dokle, chairman of Culture and Education Society ‘Ivan Vazov’ in Tirana, in an interview to FOCUS News Agency

FOCUS: Mr. Dokle, would you present the Culture and Education Society ‘Ivan Vazov’ in Tirana – what are its tasks and goals?
Zehrudin Dokle: We are working intensively with the preparation of candidate students, who come to study in Bulgaria. Around 200 students have already graduated different universities in Bulgaria. This is our most important activity, on which we work together with the Prosperitet association – Golloborda.
Every year we send around 25 - 30 students to Bulgaria. Most of them prefer to study law, medicine and journalism, as well as the Technical University. They go to study in the cities of Sofia, Svishtov, Ruse, Plovdiv, Veliko Tarnovo, Blagoevgrad.
In July, there will be an admission exam in Bulgarian language, history and literature at the embassy. Students are preparing for this exam during the entire year. They go to universities with scholarship.

FOCUS: For the first time Bulgaria has a minister in charge of the Bulgarian residents abroad. What are your recommendations to the Bulgarian institutions for their works with the Bulgarians living abroad?
Zehrudin Dokle: Over the years we had many meetings with high-ranking officials. We met with former president Petar Storyanov, former prime minister Simeon Saxe-Coburg-Gotha, and others. Sometimes, there used to be some stirring-up.
I hope that now when there is a minister in charge of this issue, there will be much more results. This is very important when it comes to Bulgarian citizenship – the situation has been improved. The applications are examined following their order and no applications are being skipped. This means that corruption has been overcome.
This is a very important thing as up to now we used to hear only some promises, which never came true.

FOCUS: Are Bulgarians in Albania interested in obtaining Bulgarian citizenship.
Zehrudin Dokle: There is interest, indeed. However there are many administrative obstacles and red tape. For example, a person should come at least four times to Bulgaria to obtain the citizenship. Up to now, people used to wait for three to four years for it. This might be the rules but they are too complex.
Isn’t it possible to do this through the embassy?

FOCUS: Is it easier to obtain Macedonian passport than a Bulgarian?
Zehrudin Dokle: It is much easier. There aren’t too many requirements to obtain a Macedonian passport. Macedonia and Bulgaria are on different levels.

FOCUS: Have you heard about problems of people with Muslim names to obtain Bulgarian citizenship?
Zehrudin Dokle: Yes, I have. For regions such as Gora, which are popular as Bulgarian regions, such problems have been overcome. In Gora everyone has Muslim name but this area is the most preserved Bulgarian brand, in all aspects – language, traditions, everything.
Problems occur when people are scattered at different places. Then, there are investigations, as if they are criminals.

FOCUS: You say that Gora is the most preserved Bulgarian brand in Bulgaria. Where else there are Bulgarians in Albania?
Zehrudin Dokle: There are Bulgarians in Mala Prespa and Golloborda.

FOCUS: Is there any propaganda on behalf of Skopje that these people are Macedonians?
Zehrudin Dokle: Of course…

FOCUS: What problems do Bulgarians in Albania encounter most often?
Zehrudin Dokle: I don’t think that Bulgarians in Albania face too many problems. Even during the communist era in Gora, the Gorans were absolutely free…

FOCUS: How many Bulgarians are there in Albania?
Zehrudin Dokle: In Gora itself, there are 30 villages – 18 of them are in Kosovo, 9 in Albania and 3 in Macedonia. Only in the Albanian part of Gora, there are around 10,000 people. Nowadays, their grandchildren, grand-grandchildren are scattered throughout Albania.
Anyway, when some say that Bulgarians in Albania are around 100,000, I think that are exaggerating.

FOCUS: Are there Bulgarian schools?
Zehrudin Dokle: There aren’t official Bulgarian schools but there are courses.

FOCUS: Apart from education, how can the Bulgarian state help Bulgarians in Albania?
Zehrudin Dokle: There is always something that Bulgaria can do about the Bulgarians in Albania and for Albania itself. Bulgaria is member of the EU, while Albania is getting ready to join the European family and in this sense there is always something that Bulgaria can do to be useful.
All Albanian governments have been in good relations with Bulgaria, at a really high level.

"Critic" a report on Greece by STRATFOR

Athens need the new geopolitical national interests of Greece on Balkans

Strong misunderstanding as that for the next three years only geopolitical, economic and social ills, the worst since the founding of the Greek state in 1830, which also believes that modern Greece is in terms of alliances in an even worse position than it was before the Revolution of 1821. Feature is the report of Stratford, which conclude by making the assertion that "Greece is the first time since 1820 that are really geopolitical problems.

The highly negative report of the institute that brings together some of the top U.S. geostrategic analysts who routinely pre-occupation with the STRATFOR employed in government positions (CIA, State Department etc.), provides for the short term the greek national future: Critical reduce the geopolitical role in the Balkan region, scripts totalitarian internal collapse, paralysis of political control, social upsurge in the use of violent practices, progressive detachment from the major powers, political instability significantly, and leaving the Eurozone!

And even the exit from the euro zone, says STRATFOR, will take place when other members of the eurozone assurance that they will have a serious impact on their economies."The three years will be decisive for the formation of modern post-revolutionary by the Greek State, the country's history,That is according to STRATFOR, Greece should be reconciled with the idea of geopolitics eclipse and not find a new role. Politically this evolution can not explain - everything according to the authors of the report. "However, the current economic crisis described and mainly from Western media as a result of Greek laziness, irresponsibility and surcharges in effect expands the perpetually unprofitable debt and internal and especially external debt of the country.

Continuing, analysts explain that "Greece, including addressing the real threat to the Aegean (SS acknowledge the threat, but do not understand the Greek equipment or do not understand the reasons behind them ...) had no alternative but be charged after the loss of interest by Western patrons partners "to fill that: "Today, Greece can not be dreaming that it can achieve its geopolitical fifth goal, namely the sovereignty of the eastern Mediterranean.

But some conclusions are: Greece has never sought dominance in the Eastern Mediterranean, but a strong presence, given the need to defend its national interests across where live Greeks on Cyprus and Balkan Region.

The ballet “Zorbas” in the Opera of Tirana.

The Albanian lovers of the classic dance can enjoy the ballet “Zorbas” with music by Mikis Theodorakis and Edmond Doko as its music conductor.
In the first night of the performance a few days ago, the president of the Albanian parliament and the ex- president and present consultant of the prime minister Sali Berisa, were present.

For this performance, which is supported by the embassy of Greece in Albania, two Albanian dancers who live and work in Greece were called. The ballet will be performed four times until the 30th of June, in the same place.

The manager of the Opera of Tirana underlined the importance of the Greek embassy’s contribution, not only for the realization of the performance but also for the important role that the greatest Greek musicians played in the early 90s in order for the Albanian musicians who immigrated to Greece to find a job in the Greek orchestras.

Freedom House: "Quiet Progress" Made in Balkans

Belgrade | 30 June 2010 |

Media independence was one of the factors observed

The 2010 Nations in Transit report from U.S.-based watchdog Freedom House noted a general positive trend in democratic development over the past decade in the Balkans, in contrast to significant declines in Russia and other former USSR states.

In its annual report on the democratic development of 29 countries in Eastern Europe and Eurasia, the organisation noted declines in the democracy scores of 14 countries, including two in the Balkans.

Looking at key factors such as press freedom, governance, electoral process, civil society, judicial independence, and corruption, the report rated the countries on a score of 1-7, with 1 representing the highest level of democratic progress and 7 the lowest.

It noted that over the past decade Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Macedonia have made "steady gains" in civil society and electoral process". In 2009, Serbia, Kosovo and Macedonia saw "modest improvements", while in Albania the report noted a slight decline in independent media and in Bosnia a decline in electoral process. Croatia and Montenegro, meanwhile, "held steady overall".

The report warned, however, that progress made over the past decade should not be taken for granted, especially in Bosnia, where it expressed concern over rising nationalism, and in Kosovo, where many challenges lie ahead for the country as it emerges from an international protectorate.

more ..http://www.balkaninsight.com/en/main/news/29133/

Albanian opposition to boycott all votes in parliament over alleged election fraud

By The Associated Press

TIRANA, Albania — Albania's main opposition Socialists say they will start a new parliamentary boycott to protest alleged fraud in last year's general elections.

The Socialists, who control 65 of the house's 140 seats, said Wednesday they would not attend any votes in parliament. They also threatened to resume street protests demanding a partial vote recount. Conservative Prime Minister Sali Berisha has refused the demand.

Earlier this year, the Socialists ended a six-month boycott of all parliamentary sessions and called off a three-week hunger strike by some of their lawmakers and supporters after international mediation to end the political crisis.

But no progress has been achieved.

Many key laws cannot be passed without opposition backing.

Guardian: Greece Mulls Selling, Leasing Islands To Cut Debt

Posted on 25 June 2010 by Apostolos Papapostolou ShareThis

Greece is ready to sell or offer long-term leases on some of its islands so as to cut back on its debts, The Guardian reports.
The daily notes that an area in Mykonos, one of Greece’s top tourist destinations, is one of the sites for sale. The area is one-third owned by the government, which is looking for a buyer willing to inject capital and develop a luxury tourism complex, according to a source close to the negotiations, The Guardian reported.
Russian and Chinese investors are also said to be looking at property on the island of Rhodes with billionaire Roman Abramovich allegedly being one of them, the newspaper said.

“I am sad – selling off your islands or areas that belong to the people of Greece should be used as the last resort,” Makis Perdikaris, director of Greek Island Properties told The Guardian.
“But the first thing is to develop the economy and attract foreign domestic investment to create the necessary infrastructure. The point is to get money.”

Clinton Speaks Against Homophobia in Albania

US State Secretary Hillary ClintonAs part of a speech made in celebration of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) month US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton spoke in support of an Albanian gay man who came out publicly during a popular reality show.

"In Albania, a young man named Klodian Cela recently came out on a popular television program called Big Brother and soon after, our ambassador, John Withers, went on television to publicly express support for this man,” said Clinton during her speech.

“He visited his hometown and he invited him to an event at our Embassy, conveying to all Albanians that the United States supports his rights and respects his courage," Clinton added.

Cela’s expression of his sexual orientation on the show in February provoked a series of small protests in his hometown of Lezha, in northern Albania, which were condemned by Ambassador Withers and various rights groups.

The Albanian parliament approved in February a sweeping anti-discrimination law that includes protection of the rights of sexual minorities, winning praise from activists.

Although the new anti-discrimination did not include a provision that legalizes same-sex unions, as previously proposed by Prime Minister Sali Berisha, activists applauded it as a step forward for the gay community.

While the Albanian parliament decriminalised homosexual relations in 1995, more than a decade later gays and lesbians are still heavily stigmatised, and a majority hide their sexual orientation, fearing that if it is discovered their safety will be endangered.

Human rights reports on Albania concede that ingrained attitudes among the public leave Albanian gays and lesbians on the fringes of society. Albanian Human Rights Group reports that Albanian homosexuals face “intolerance, physical and psychological violence - often from the police - and discrimination in the workplace.”

DIPLOMATIC PERISCOP!

Athens not validate signed agreements with Tirana and the Ottoman fleet is actually in Albania!

Which would be the next step of Athens?

While Ankara sends its fleet in the Ionian Sea, and thus open a western front in Greece, Athens has not yet sent to Parliament for ratification the agreement with Albania on maritime boundaries, while supposedly protesting for change Tirana's stance on this issue.


So, after the Aegean, Ankara is now spreading the Ionian Sea, where one months after ratification by the Albanian parliament's agreement to keep fixed the Turkish naval force 1125 men in Albanian territorial waters, Turkey will attain naval exercise in the Ionian Sea from 28 to 30 June.

For this purpose, arrived as early as June 22 in Albanian ports Turkish flotilla TMTG (Turkish Maritime Task Group), comprising four frigates and one ship is general support previously made successive visits to Tunisia, Algeria, Spain, Italy, Croatia and Montenegro.

But accoring to annalysts the Psychological effects just in the presence of the Turkish fleet in the Albanian ports appear in the Albanian Parliament. Added to the Greek minority nationalist pressure. Yesterday in parliamentary Albanian MP Cam Community Dashamir Tahiri threatened for the second time President of HRUP Evangelos Doules.

This development could lead to new tensions, in which Berisha's government, can be stance without being directly involved in these issues, while on the other hand gives the countervailing forces to increase elements of Albanian nacionalists, against Greek community in Albania, before the process of counting the population next year.

The european prospective of Albania including visas regime will decide with exclucive veto from Athens if it will be necessary.


Greece should make clear to Tirana that there would be reconfiguration of the bilateral relations unless two things happen:

(A) immediately resolved the issue of maritime borders, to adopt the existing agreement.

(B) to require that the neighboring country to be very careful regarding the presence of Turkish forces in the region. It should be clear that for Albania to Greece Tirana actually go almost hostile actions against our country.

And if not heard, the calls of Athens to Tirana will influence the European prospects of the country but also necessary, for reasons of balance, the presence of naval forces on the coasts and ports in Northern Epirus, Vlora, Saranda and Himara.

Greek PM: Aim of terrorists will not be achieved

Prime Minister George Papandreou expressed his grief and abhorrrence over the bomb attack at the Citizen's Protection ministry on Thursday night that cost the life of the minister's adjutant. "I express my grief and indignation, the grief and indignation that every Greek citizen feels over today's terrorist attack, that resulted in the loss of a human life.

"In a period when the country and our people are waging a daily struggle for the exit from the crisis, cowardly murderers want to deal a blow at normalcy and our democracy, Greek society, the interests of the Greek citizens and the sacrifices that they are making today for the country to stand on its feet.

"Those investing in illegality and force will receive their reply not only from the state, but from our society as well in its entirety. The aim of the terrorists will not be achieved. The government, society, the citizens will not be terrorised. I express personally and on behalf of the government my warm condolences and our support to the family of dead police officer George Vassilakis."

NGO slams fine of Albania TV for video of official

(AP)

TIRANA, Albania — A media organization has condemned as exorbitant the euro400,000 ($491,000) fine imposed on an Albanian TV station that aired video of a government officials asking a job applicant to take her clothes off.

The court found Top Channel TV station liable for damages because the video, showing Culture, Youth, Tourism and Sports Minister Ylli Pango asking a woman to strip to see whether she would be good for the job, had been obtained illegally.

Pango was fired immediately. He sued the station.

The Vienna-based South East Europe Media Organization on Wednesday condemned the "exorbitant fine" as violating the "goal of providing information that is in the public interest."
Paris-based Reporters Without Borders also condemned "the unprecedented damages award."
"Blatant abuse of authority by a government minister is a subject of public interest and the press must be free to cover it.... This decision is unacceptable and constitutes a serious violation of media freedom," it said.

Albania's fledgling independent press frequently complains of politically motivated attacks.

Orthodox building complex

A metropolitan church, a cultural and educational centre are included in the orthodox building complex of Gjirokaster, inaugurated on Sunday in the presence of the archbishop of Tirana and All Albania, Anastasios.

As it was reported in a relevant article of “Panorama” newspaper of Tirana, the church was planned to be built since the 1960s but the communist government of Enver Hodja at the time destroyed the foundation of the building.

During his speech at the inauguration ceremony, the Archbishop of Tirana and All Albania, Anastasios, stressed among other things, that the Church is a place for reconciliation, hope and fraternization.

EP Resolution Backs Albania Visa Liberalisation

Tirana | 23 June 2010 |

The European Parliament building, Strasbourg, France. Photo by Davor Konjikusic

The European Parliament approved on Wednesday a resolution backing Albania’s bid for the liberalisation of visas for travel in the European states that are part of the so-called Schengen zone.

The resolution, which was drafted by Greek MP Nikolaos Chountis, who is the EP Rapporteur on Albania, was supported by 59 MPs out of the 60 in attendance at the Foreign Affairs Committee meeting.

The resolution welcomes the May 27 decision of the European Commission, EC, to back visa liberalisation with Albania, while calling on the EC to check in the coming months if the country has fulfilled the remaining requirements of the visa roadmap.

The resolution also calls on Albanian political parties to engage in constructive dialogue on a new electoral law that would guarantee complete transparency in the upcoming elections.

Speaking during a cabinet meeting in Tirana, Albanian Prime Minister Sali Berisha greeted the resolution as historic, while underlining that the visa liberalisation process was now unstoppable.

“The process of visa liberalisation, so eagerly awaited by Albanians, is going in the right direction,” said Berisha.

The resolution had been scheduled to be put to a vote on June 1, but was postponed due to the political stalemate between the Albanian opposition and the government over the results of the country's 2009 parliamentary elections.

EU police in Kosovo arrest war crimes suspect, look for 2 more

By The Associated Press

EU police in Kosovo say they have arrested a man suspected of torturing prisoners in camps set up by ethnic Albanian guerrillas in northern Albania during the 1998-99 Kosovo war.

Kristiina Herodes, a spokeswoman for the 2,000 strong EU police mission in Kosovo, said Wednesday the force "carried out a house search and arrested a male suspect" in Djakovica, a town close to Kosovo's western border with Albania.

She says two more suspects have been identified.

This is the second arrest related to the alleged torture of prisoners in detention centres run by the Kosovo Liberation Army. The guerrilla force used Albania's north as a base from which to supply and organize its volunteer force in Kosovo fighting a separatist war against Serbia.

Albania calls for Balkan schengen system

Albania’s Minister of Interior Lulzim Basha declared on Monday that Albania’s Presidency of the Regional Initative for Migration, Asylum and Refugees would be dedicated to creating a Balkan Schengen system, the albanian media reported.

“Our main goal is to produce within a short period an agenda for the installment of the Balkan Schengen, the free movement of the citizens of our countries without borders, tariffs or custom barriers,” said Basha during a workshop on the initiative in Tirana.

The idea of the so-called Balkan Schengen put forward by Basha was backed by the head of the delegation of the European Commission in Tirana, Helmut Lohan.

“In this way the countries in the region can give a vote of confidence to each other the way that the European Commission did,” said Lohan in the workshop. “Backing regional cooperation in the economic and political level is always a priority for the European Union,” he added.

EP in last attempt to mediate Albania deal

KNUT PRIES AND AUGUSTIN PALOKAJ

Today @ 09:34 CET

A European Parliament initiative to overcome Albania's political crisis has failed to produce the hoped-for results and the two political factions involved have agreed to undertake one last-ditch attempt before moving to put on hold Albania's bid for EU membership, parliament sources have said.

The leaders of the EP's two largest groups, Joseph Daul of the centre-right EPP and Socialist chairman Martin Schulz, met Albania's Prime Minister Sali Berisha and opposition leader Edi Rama in May and gave them three weeks to sort out their political differences over last year's elections. The initiative was supported by the European Commission and member state foreign ministers but the time elapsed without a deal in sight.

The European Parliament is getting impatient with Albania (Photo: EUobserver.com)

Mr Daul is starting a visit to Tirana today (23 June) where he is set to meet both Mr Berisha and Mr Rama. Parliamentary sources said he would try to persuade the prime minister in particular to match concessions already made by Mr Rama.

Mr Rama's socialist party has boycotted the newly-elected parliament for almost two years asking for a recount of the vote. The demand was rejected by the government. Socialist MPs finally took up their parliamentary seats after the EU decided to get involved.

Mr Daul and Mr Schulz are said to agree with the European Commission that the brakes should be put on Albania's move towards EU membership if the two sides continued their feuding. "We would need to step up the pressure," one source said.....

http://waz.euobserver.com/887/30347

Adem Demaci: After Kosovo, now turn to resolve the Cam issue

INA | 06/22/2010 | Breaking News

Legendary leader of the resistance in Kosovo, Adem Demaci, said that already has come to turn the Cam issue to be resolved as quickly and efficiently by the Greek side.

"No one better than the Kosovo Albanians can not understand your pain," stated Demaci, in his speech on the occasion of marking the Week Cham Culture in Tirana .

According to him, there should also put the blame on the Greek people today for what became a part of their predecessors.

"But, at any cost, by means of time today, you need to seek our rights, by means which are supported by our major European allies and across the Atlantic", stated Demaci.

WWW.PSEVA.COM

ΠΑΓΚΟΣΜΙΑ ΣΥΝΤΟΝΙΣΤΙΚΗ ΕΠΙΤΡΟΠΗ ΒΟΡΕΙΟΗΠΕΙΡΩΤΙΚΟΥ ΑΓΩΝΑ

INTERNATIONAL COORDINATING COMMITTEE FOR NORTHERN EPIRUS ISSUE

Lorenzo Vidino: "Terror Threat from young Muslims born in Europe ?"
written by: Ioannis Michaletos, 21-Jun-10

"The most likely threat comes from small groups of European passport-holders who travel to countries like Pakistan, Somalia and Yemen to obtain training and expertise."

- Exclusive interview with Lorenzo Vidino, the renowned Italian expert on Islam, international terrorism and European counter-strategies, conducted by Ioannis Michaletos, WSN Editor for South East Europe and South-eastern Office Co-ordinator -

Ioannis Michaletos: What is your view concerning the current European counter-terrorism strategy? Are the main issues being addressed in an adequate manner, or is there a long way before we can call the whole approach as a "strategy" itself?

Lorenzo Vidino: I think it is improper to talk about a cohesive European counter-terrorism strategy, as each European country employs different strategies that are the consequence of its history, culture, legal framework, previous experience with terrorism, and perception of the threat.

The European Union has been playing a remarkable role in attempting to harmonize the efforts of its member countries. Yet major differences remain. This is visible at the level of foreign policy, where some countries directly link the situation in Afghanistan and Pakistan to their own security and therefore make a direct commitment of troops on the ground, while others are reluctant to do so. But there are also enormous differences in terms of internal policies. Some countries, like France, have a very aggressive legislation that allows authorities to take measures that would be inconceivable in, let's say, Germany.

This gap was much more significant nine years ago, immediately after 9/11, but I think that still today it is incorrect to talk of a full-fledged pan-European strategy. Thanks largely to the efforts of various EU institutions there is remarkable operational cooperation among European authorities at all levels and a continuous exchange of ideas among policymakers of various countries, which is unquestionably leading towards increasing homogeneity of counter-terrorism policies and practices. Yet I think there are legal, political, and cultural differences among different countries that prevent the formation of a homogeneous pan-European strategy. And, to be sure, I am not convinced that is a negative thing.

Once Brussels provides a general framework and forms of solid cooperation are established, I do not see any problem with each country implementing its own counter-terrorism policy in its own way. And indeed the system seems to be working. Proof of that are the dozens of attacks that have been thwarted over the last few years in several European countries.

Ioannis Michaletos: There has been a long talk around the interrelation between Islamic originated terrorism and illegal immigration from the Muslim countries to Europe. According to your estimation, is there a direct or indirect link between those two phenomena? ...more

Albanian TV channel fined for exposing minister's sexual demands

Albania's Top Channel TV has been fined €400,000 (£334,000) for broadcasting a tape that showed a former government minister asking for sexual favours from a young woman in exchange for a job.

A Tirana judge ruled that the recording had been obtained illegally and therefore the TV station must pay damages to the former minister of culture Ylli Pango.

The broadcast, on the investigative programme Fisk Fare, showed Pango holding a meeting with an applicant in his villa, during which he asks the woman to remove her clothes and wear a bikini in order to assess her suitability for the tourism job.

Thirty minutes after the broadcast, in March, Pango was fired by the prime minister. He later claimed he was the victim of a media sting.

Rama Meets Papandreou for albanian politic crises

NEW YORK-The effort launched yesterday, to share with senior representatives of the Socialist International concern about the political situation in Albania.The Chairman of PS was announced during the meetings with other heads of delegations present at this event.

Yesterday evening, Edi Rama met with Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou. The main topic of discussion is focused on Albania's political crisis, which the PASOK leader was seen as an obstacle to the integration of Albania into the EU.The Socialist Mayor Edi Rama, accompanied in this meeting by the international secretary of the SP, Arta Dade and Taulant Balla.

ALBANIA, LATEST NEWS

The turkish frigate F-490 TCG Gaziantep Class in Vlora Gulf this morning

The Turkish Navy Forces will involve the Task Group (TG) 496.1 which will be located in port Durres and Vlora in Albania from 22 to 25 June 2010.

On June 26 will join the submarine INONU that by the June 17, 2010 at the port of Taranto in the visit of the Italian Naval Fleet.

The Task Group consists of two frigates MEKO-200T, two OHPerry (TCG Kemalreis, TCG Turgutreis, TCG Gaziantep, TCG Giresun) and the oil tanker "Akar" commanded by Admiral. Mücahit Şişlioğlu. Mücahit Şişlioğlu.

Albin Kurti: Kosovo has the right to union with Albania

PRISTINA-leader of the movement "Self-determination", Albin Kurti in an interview on the radio "Free Europe" states that "sovereignty means the right of Kosovo to control natural resources and economic capacities, means the right of Kosovo to join Albania, Kosovo means the right to military means to eleminate Serbian parallel structures from territorial integrity of Kosovo."

Albin Kurti speaks well for his political ambitions declaring that "we decided as Self Determination forum to take part in elections, as it is urgent that during these two years to increase the independence sovereignty of Kosovo".

According to him, people need a different kind of state of Kosovo, the state of Kosovo, which is in the service of citizens. Speaking to the north of the country and highlighting the measures to be taken, Kurti said the problem is threefold: political, security and economic.

Turkish exercise in the Ionian Sea

Turkish exercise in the Ionian Sea

In Alert is the Greek Navy Command as part of the Turkish flotilia, consisting of four frigates and a tanker to be installed in port of Durres and Vlora, Albania.

But vigilant consist to be the Greek Navy Forces as part of the Turkish flotilia, the Task Group (TG) in consists of four frigates and a tanker is in port Durres and Vlora, Albania.

Defense Net note that the Turks have financed the rebuilding of these naval bases in the strategic partnership seeking to Albania. At the same time issued a warning that the Turkish submarine INONU - now visiting the Italian naval base of Taranto - will move to the sea around 70 km west of Cephalonia, in within the western boundary of the Athens FIR.

According to military sources, is probably from 25 to 28 June, the Turkish Task Group fleeing from Albanian ports to move south, to meet the submarine in the Ionian Sea. This is another unprecedented moving by the Turks, who without violating international law, shall demonstrate power and flag. And not only in the Aegean and Ionian seas but also in various parts of the Mediterranean: the Task Group has already visited Tunis, Algiers, Split, Bari and Cartagena in Spain ...

Chinese CNEEC seek to extend business activity in Albania

China National Electric Equipment Corporation, the largest state provider of equipment for the energy sector and one of the top 100 companies in China is interested to extend its activity in Albania, the company’s Vice President Zheng Chengjun said during a meeting with Albanian Prime Minister Sali Berisha.

“The company is interested in investment projects in infrastructure, construction of roads, hydro power construction projects, as well as to explore any opportunity in the field of water management,” Chengjun said.

“The very positive developments of the Albanian economy over the last years have encouraged the executive board of our company to extend its investment projects also to Albania,” Chengjun added.

Berisha appreciated the fact that this company could invest in Albania. He assured the company's representatives of the government's support, of transparency in cooperation with investors, as guaranteed by the laws through which business in Albania operates.

GREEK ALPINES OVER AKROKERANEIA

On Saturday, June 12, 2010 a mission of Alpine Club from Komotini won the top Akrokeranea of Chica, in the Himara Region.

Before they are welcomed by the Himara Mayor Vasilis Bolanos and Deputy Mayor of Himara Menelaus Dimas.

The ascent started from the neck Logaras, with an additional member from Himara, Alexander Konomi.

The conquest mission over Chica mountain 2050 m where made successful, by Greek alpines comes from Trake.

Rocket launcher found in terrorist safehouse was used in US embassy attack, police say

The police crime lab in Athens has identified the RPG7 portable anti-tank rocket launcher discovered in a safehouse of the terrorist organization "Revolutionary Struggle" in the Athens district of Kypseli on April 19.

Based on the crime lab test results, the specific launcher was used in a rocket attack on the US Embassy in Athens back in 2007, which caused minor damage to the building and no injuries.

The attack had occurred at 5:58 a.m. on Jan. 12, 2007 and had originated from the environs of the US Embassy, using a "self-propelled explosive projectile", according to a public order ministry announcement that was issued following the incident.