Foreign Minister Dimas’s reply to a current question in Parliament from LAOS MP Y. Korantis

 

Current Affairs - News - Announcements

Friday, 16 December 2011

STAVROS DIMAS: Thank you very much, Madam Speaker.

I want to stress that Greece’s policy is the delimitation of all maritime zones with all of its neighbours.

The delimitation of maritime zones between the countries of the Eastern Mediterranean – beyond the significant economic opportunities it creates – functions as a catalyst for regional peace and security. The UN Convention on the Law of the Sea is part of the Community acquis, and thus respect for, signing and ratification of this Convention is a fundamental element of the European perspectives of countries that are candidates for accession to the EU.

I want to repeat what Mr. Korantis said earlier: that as a coastal state and a member of the EU, Greece does not relinquish any of its legal sovereign rights whatsoever, and the exclusive economic zone is no exception to this fundamental principle and position of our foreign policy.

The exclusive economic zone issue is not considered on its own, but within the broader context of the establishment and delimitation of maritime zones in accordance with the provisions of international law, and specifically the 1982 Convention on the Law of the Sea. Within this framework, I remind you that the 27 April 2009 Greek-Albanian agreement on delimitation of maritime zones designates a multipurpose boundary that delimits both existing jurisdictional zones as well as future ones, including the exclusive economic zone.

In our meetings with neighbouring countries, we endeavour to promote this policy.

Some years ago, Greece initiated negotiations with Egypt and Libya, and we will restart those negotiations as soon as the situation allows.

With regard to Turkey, as we have stressed repeatedly, we are pursuing good relations, but relations developed within the framework of respect for international law and national sovereignty. We respect in practice the principle of good neighbourly relations and unfailingly call on Turkey to do likewise. Turkey persists in its refusal to accede to the 1982 international Convention on the Law of the Sea, which, as I said, is part of the EU acquis. Turkey is isolated on this issue.

We are in ongoing coordination with Cyprus in determining our moves within the framework of our broader strategy.

It is well known that for all of the countries of the Mediterranean, exclusive economic zones – which, according to the international Law of the Sea, can extend up to 200 nautical miles from the coast – overlap. This raises the issue of delimitation between neighbouring coastal states.

The exclusive economic zone provides significant benefits, and it is self-evident that our country will avail itself of these benefits, in order of precedence, within the framework of our broader strategy.

http://www.naftemporiki.gr/podcast/listenclip.asp?id=45565

U.S., K. Albanians trying to falsify history - deputy PM

Source: Tanjug

BELGRADE -- The agreement on cultural heritage in Kosovo signed by U.S. and Kosovo is an attempt to falsify history, says Deputy Prime Minister Ivica Dačić.

A view of the Gračanica monastery

The Agreement on Protection and Preservation of Certain Cultural Properties was signed by U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Kosovo President Atifete Jahjaga on Wednesday.
According to him, the agreement presents Serbian Orthodox churches in Kosovo as Kosovo’s cultural heritage.

“We have mixed up things a little. Serbs and Turks clashed in Kosovo in 1389, not Serbs and Albanians and the battle was in Kosovo Field,” he pointed out.

According to the deputy prime minister, it now turns out that Kosovo’s cultural heritage are things they have been trying to destroy for centuries.

“They built mosques on foundations of the Serbian churches and they say today that it is Kosovo’s cultural heritage,” Dačić pointed out.

“All that is being done in order to prove that the Serbian history in Kosovo and Metohija does not go back to the 10th, 11th, 12th and 13th century,” he stated and added that this was falsification of history the state of Serbia needed to react to.

Serbia to request protection of its heritage in UNESCO

“Serbia will call for depoliticization of the issue of protection of cultural heritage that is of world importance in the UNESCO World Heritage Committee,” said National Committee for Cooperation with UNESCO Secretary General Jasna Zrnović.

“We will fight to prevent any attempt to ‘Kosovize’ Serbian heritage in Kosovo and Metohija. It is totally unacceptable for anyone to try to present Gračanica, Dečani or Peć Patriarchate are ‘Kosovo’s cultural heritage’,” she pointed out.

“This is a direct attack on the Serbian identity and it therefore represents violation of rights of all Serbs, wherever they are at the moment,” Zrnović explained, commenting on the agreement signed by Clinton and Jahjaga.

She also stressed that the agreement “is not legally relevant” for Serbia.

"The Himara Community of Albania", wishes the new President of "The Union of Himarioton" in Greece, Maria Bollano.

Maria Bollano, the New President of the "Union Himarrioton" in Greece

UNION HIMARRIOTON " GREECE
NOTICE
December 16, 2011

New Board to "UNION HIMARRIOTON"

             On Sunday, December 11 elections were held for the election of the new eleven-member Board of Directors of the Association Himarrioton. The Board obtained on December 11 constituted the first meeting on 15.12.2011 with the following composition:



President: Maria Bolanos
First Vice President: Lonidas Bifsas 
Second Vice President: Napolon Tsakali
General Secretary: Clementis Dimalexis
Cashier: John Douni
Head of Press and Public Relations: Theodore Goumas
Responsible for Social Welfare: Julia Veizi 

Especially "The Himara Community of Albania", wishes the new President of "The Union of Himarioton" in  Maria Bollano, and the new board .

President Jahjaga: U.S. military presence in Kosovo, essential
Pentagon is expected to add troops in Kosovo
President of Kosovo, Atifete Jahjaga, on Friday held a number of meetings with top U.S. officials in Washington. She met first under-Secretary of Defense, Michele Flournoy, which discussed issues of mutual cooperation.
President of Kosovo, praised the U.S. assistance in establishing peace and stability and the American commitment to peace in Europe. She further said that "American military presence in Kosovo and U.S. military camp Bondsteel is the guarantor for stability in the region and helped to establish a strong relationship between citizens and soldiers."
She said she welcomed the continued U.S. military presence in Kosovo as essential for all stability in Europe.
"Kosovo is aimed at membership in Partnership for Peace and the North-Atlantic Alliance, NATO and U.S. assistance in this process would be crucial," said President Jahjaga.
Meanwhile, U.S. Undersecretary of Defense Michele Flournoy is highly valued relations between the two countries. She was particularly interested in the security situation in Kosovo and the situation in the north. She confirmed the U.S. commitment to peace and stability in Kosovo and the region.
During the day the President of Kosovo, Atifete Jahjaga met with the director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Robert Mueller. At the meeting discussed the modalities of cooperation in the fight against organized crime, corruption and international terrorism.
Jahjaga met with U.S. Senator Mark Kirk and Senator Ross Johnson. The meeting discussed the continuation of American support for Kosovo, in particular through military presence.
President of Kosovo, held meetings with the ambassador for women's issues, Melanne Verveer, and with former U.S. Secretary of State Madeleine Albright.
Visiting U.S. President Jahjaga has given some media interviews in the U.S., Washington Times and Reuters as the Albanian section of VOA.

BERISHA: GREATER ALBANIA, WE LOST TERRITORIES

Albania-Kosovo unification
16/12/2011

The Albanian Prime Minister held a meeting with Prishtina University students, in which he argued why he is against the unification of Albania with Kosovo and why both countries would lose, if borders would be changed.

“The vital interest of the Albanians is to preserve the current borders, and the Albanians should not accept, at any cost, to lose a single square meter of the land they are entitled to. Another redraw of the borders would mark undeserved losses of the Albanian territories. We must be patient, free, and should not undertake any action that threatens territorial losses. Every generation has to make its duty, and this generation made it”, Berisha declared.

The Prime Minister did not mention names of territories, in a time when the situation in Northern Mitrovica continues to be delicate. According to Berisha, the unification project for the Albanians is one.

“The only unification project for the Albanians is the EU integration”, Berisha declared.

When asked about the stance of the opposition leader, Edi Rama, on the Durres-Kukes road, Berisha accused Rama of joining anti-Albanian lobbies that wanted to put obstacles to the construction of the Nation’s Road.

According to Berisha, the corruption accusations are unfounded, because a road in a neighboring country was built with 13 millions EUR per kilometer, while the Nation’s Road cost less than 10 million EUR per kilometer.

“It is a very expensive road, but when you declared absurd corruption amounts of money, without any document to prove it, it only shows that you’re part of the lobbies that fought with all means to block the construction of the road. Rama has the right to review his mistakes, but by pretending that you were not against the road, you actually accuse the Albanians of not having a memory”, Berisha declared.

Asked by the Kosovo Students when Albania could become an EU member, PM Berisha did not give any date, but mentioned once again the opposition’s role for blocking the integration reform, and then declared that the current political reforms in the country make him optimist for progressing with the EU obligations.

The Red and Black Alliance: Unification is up to the people

After the Prime Minister’s declaration against the unification of the two Albanian states, the Red and Black Alliance reacted with a press release, as a movement that strongly supports the unification of both countries.

“The Unification of Kosovo with Albania is not up to the Prime Ministers, but to the people. Self-determination is a universal principle of the people’s right to chosse, despite the political wills”.

"No EU for Serbia if Kosovo is condition"

Source: Tanjug

BRUS -- Ivica Dačić says he sees "no possibility of the country's progress" toward becoming a candidate for EU membership, if recognizing Kosovo was the condition.

Ivica Dačić (Tanjug, file)

The interior minister and one of Serbia's deputy premier said that "Europe should show more understanding":
"Therefore the question of whether Serbia will be made a candidate is more for them than for the authorities in Serbia."

Speaking while touring a police station in the town of Brus, in southern Serbia, Dačić also noted that "all other regional countries that are facing problems joining the EU" should create "a Balkan council".

This council "would demonstrate our strength", according to the minister.

Dačić addressed the issue of Serbia's failure to become a candidate on Dec. 9 several times during this week, and on Friday he reiterated that Serbia was facing conditions that went contrary to her national interests.

EU, Pierre Mirel: property issue remains a problem in Albania

TIRANA, Albania property issue remains a problem. The statement comes from the Director of the European Commission Enlargement Pierre Mirel, for which the issue of ownership is one of 12 criteria set by the European Union, which requires a quick solution.

"Issues of concern remains the problem of ownership. Here it comes to bringing the projects and investments, for example by passi city should be applied. It is matter of concern, but originally planning should be done to ensure that land is owned or has the clarity of property rights and is not good to have delays because people are reported to have agreed to the points A, B, C, while nothing not been for years and this is unfortunate.

Mirel statement was made during the workshop conducted by the Minister of Integration for IPA program to which the European Union has allocated 82 million euros Albania.

For Albanian Minister Bregu, main focus of this assistance will be 12 priorities set by the European Union.
"The main focus of this assistance will be the implementation and orientation and based on 12 key priorities of the European Commission's opinion, particularly those dealing with issues of justice and riot and public administration reform", - emphasized Minister Bregu

Honored Philip Papathanasi, who dead in Albanian prison, for the rights of the Greek minority

The convicted "for treason" to Albania, a monument of honor in the Church
"The Albanian newspaper"
GJIROKASTER - Philip Papathanasit monument, one of the accused by the Communist regime of the time for high treason against the territorial integrity of Albania and popular government, and sentenced to life imprisonment, is located a few days ago the square of the Church of St. Andrew , in the village Rahull, Gjirokastra. Present at the ceremony, was the Socialist Party deputy, Luisa Xhuvani, which is the one next to Philip Papathanasit.
Socialist Party deputy, Luisa Xhuvani, discovered his monument, which was decorated and covered with Greek flags. Then, are placed wreaths in honor of his image, which is considered by the Greeks as a hero who was arrested and sentenced to life imprisonment, but only sought to protect the rights of the ethnic Greek community ..
Meanwhile, on the other hand, the communist regime sentenced him on charges of "high treason against the territorial integrity and popular government of Albania". In his monument, state that he died in prison at the age of 31-year-old with the only sin that demanded the rights of the Greek minority. SFEVA Organization, writes for Papathanais that he refused to speak Albanian judicial process against him developed, forcing the court to get an interpreter. Also state that it was closed only in cells with a 400 gr daily ration until just died a few years later in a cell.
(Albanian newspaper / BalkanWeb)

Ministers of the "Adriatic Charter" concerned about the situation in Mitrovica

NATO, for the second time within a week in Tirana, concerns for the region, Kosovo
Balkan foreign ministers, members of the Adriatic Charter, today expressed their concern about the situation in northern Mitrovica, looking to jump steps to deal. Speaking on behalf of participants of the Charter "Adriatic 5", Foreign Minister of Albania, Edmond Haxhinasto, said the events in Mitrovica affect regional security. "The situation in northern Mitrovica is concern for security in the region. We welcome every step towards reaching an agreement. We welcomed the implementation of several agreements between the Republic of Kosovo and that Serbia, mainly in terms of integrated border management "- he said.

 The foreign ministers of Albania, Croatia, Macedonia, Kosovo, Montenegro and Bosnia-Herzegovina declared the meeting together at the end of that dialogue and agreement between Kosovo and Serbia is a matter of embracing the fundamental values ​​of the European Union and NATO integration. Forum had invited the foreign ministers of Kosovo and Serbia, with the belief that inclusion of the region is the only way to strengthen peace and stability as well as to advance national agendas ahead of the integration of each country.
Balkan foreign ministers declared that the reforms for the European integration of the region are closely linked to security reforms for NATO.

 Deputy Assistant Secretary General of NATO, James Apaturai, said the Alliance has great confidence in the way that is pursuing regional cooperation of the Adriatic Charter. "Let me clearly say that NATO's doors are and will remain open, and it will be highlighted again in Chicago Summit Declaration. Doors will be opened soon to this region because this region is not an area neighboring NATO but NATO's house, and we want to have all countries within the common house - he said Apaturai. - Albania and Croatia, joined earlier, there are two excellent sheëmbuj what good partners can bring this region to NATO ".

 He stressed that as cooperating in Afghanistan, the Balkan countries are working together here in the region and this is what NATO wants: trust, cooperation, reform and integration. Meeting of foreign ministers of the Charter "Adriatic 5" analyzed the political developments in each country, the progress of integration in NATO and bilateral cooperation.

NEW YORK TIMES

Pondering a Dire Day: Leaving the Euro

As the country descends into chaos, the military seizes control of the government 

Orestis Panagiotou/European Pressphoto Agency

Drachma coins that were replaced by the euro in 2002; the currency's return is much debated.

By LANDON THOMAS Jr.

Published: December 12, 2011

LONDON — It would be Europe’s worst nightmare: after weeks of rumors, the Greek prime minister announces late on a Saturday night that the country will abandon the euro currency and return to the drachma.

Multimedia

Interactive Feature

Tracking Europe's Debt Crisis

Related

• Cameron Says His Veto on Europe Treaty Protects Britain (December 13, 2011)

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Will Greece Destroy the Euro Zone?

Enlarge This Image

Angelos Tzortzinis/Bloomberg News

Athens at night. One study done in France says a return to the drachma would mean a paradise of bargains for tourists in Greece

Instead of business as usual on Monday morning, lines of angry Greeks form at the shuttered doors of the country’s banks, trying to get at their frozen deposits. The drachma’s value plummets more than 60 percent against the euro, and prices soar at the few shops willing to open.
Soon, the country’s international credit lines are cut after Greece, as part of the prime minister’s move, defaults on its debt.
As the country descends into chaos, the military seizes control of the government.
This scary chain of events might never come to pass. But the danger that Greece or some other deeply damaged country in the euro zone could leave the single-currency union can no longer be ruled out. And it was largely this prospect that drove leaders last week to agree to adopt strict fiscal rules that they hope will wrap the 17 European Union nations that use the euro into an even tighter embrace.
Officially, the guardians of monetary union have refused to discuss in public the possibility of member states abandoning the euro — a contingency not even addressed in any of the treaties governing the monetary union. As Mario Draghi, the president of the European Central Bank, put it last week: “It would be imprudent to create contingency plans when we see no likelihood that they could happen.”..........................MORE ..

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/12/13/business/global/a-greek-what-if-draws-concern-dropping-the-euro.html?_r=1&ref=greece

After Tirana, another provocation against Greece from Skopje

Macedonia Braces For Giant Statue of Philip

After the installation of the giant equestrian statue of Alexander the Great, the capital is bracing for another star attraction, an even vaster statue of Alexander’s father.

Sinisa Jakov Marusic

Skopje

The pedestal for the Philip statue is under construction | Photo by: Build.mk

The 28-metre-high statue of Philip of Macedon will soon be finished and placed in central Skopje next year, the sculptor, Valentina Stevanovska, said.

"The statue is already being cast in bronze and will be finished in a few months”, Stevanovska told the daily Vecer.

Philip will be placed amid a luxurious complex of four fountains, overlooking Alexander’s statue from the opposite side of Skopje’s landmark Stone Bridge. He will be depicted in a standing position, unlike Alexander, who is riding a horse.

Officially, the entire composition is labelled “Warrior with accompanying elements”, presumably in a bid not to upset Greece, which claims Philip and Alexander as Greek heroes.
This follows the previous pattern in which the government officially described the statue of Alexander simply as "an equestrian warrior".

Philip’s 13-metre statue will be placed on top of a 15-metre pedestal covered in marble and bronze reliefs making a total of 28 metres, closely copying the composition of the Alexander statue.
The fountains will be additionally decorated with accompanying statues of ancient warriors, mothers with children and galloping horses, said Stevanovska, the author also of the Alexander statue.
Meanwhile, preparatory works on the square are already in full flow. The basic contours of the pedestal and central fountain can already be seen at the construction site.
The facades of the nearby buildings are soon to get a neo-Classical and Baroque finish to better fit the "Antique" style of the city's Skopje 2014 project.

The new statue is almost certain to draw more criticism from neighbouring Greece.

The statue of Alexander, which arrived in Skopje in June and was soon erected on the central Macedonia square, was seen by Greek officials as a provocative move that would further impede resolution of Greek-Macedonian disputes and Macedonia’s EU and NATO accession bids.

The Alexander statue drew criticism from Greece | Photo by: Filip Atanasovski

Greece has already prevented Skopje from joining NATO and is doing the same with Macedonia's EU membership bid as a result of the long-standing dispute over use of the name "Macedonia" to which Greece objects.

The two statues are seen as the core of the massive government-funded revamp of the capital, named “Skopje 2014”, which the government says will beautify the shabby-looking city.

Several buildings and monuments are already in place or are nearly finished. The construction of a new national theatre, a history museum, a foreign ministry and a concert hall are at an advanced stage.

Work continues also on a triumphal arch, an obelisk and two new bridges. Dozens of large statues have already been erected in the heart of the city.

Skopje already has a much smaller equestrian bronze statue of Philip in the suburb of Avtokomanda. This and another statue in the town of Bitola were erected in June at the same time as the statue of Alexander rose up in Skopje.

Macedonia paid some 9 million euros for the Alexander statue, officials have said. The statue of Philip is likely to cost much the same amount.

Samaras supports ties with Israel

by Costas Papachlimintzos

New Democracy leader Antonis Samaras on an official visit to Israel meets with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (Eurokinisi) [Image]
New Democracy (ND) leader Antonis Samaras, who today began an official visit to Jerusalem, said that one of the few policies of ex-premier George Papandreou that his party supported was its strengthening of ties with Israel.Samaras arrived in Jerusalem early today for a two-day visit.

In an exclusive e-mail interview with the Jerusalem Post, an Israeli daily English-language newspaper, Samaras said his party would continue the pro-Israel policies of the Papandreou government.Papandreou, as The Jerusalem Post notes, "spearheaded a dramatic shift in Greece’s orientation towards Israel, moving Greece – in a period of about two years – from being one of Israel’s harshest critics in the EU, to one of its staunchest supporters".Samaras pointed out that when he served as foreign minister in 1990, he was the Greek official who signed the document officially recognizing Israel.“For decades, my party, New Democracy, has been supporting a more balanced approach towards the Middle East”, Samaras said.“Establishing stronger ties with Israel is one of the very few initiatives by the ex-prime minister that we, as an opposition party, full-heartedly supported.

As a matter of fact we encouraged him publicly in the parliament to do so. And when he did, we stood by him on the issue”.The president of ND said Israel and Greece have much in common, and “future historians will have a hard time explaining why we hesitated for so long to make the most out of our common interests.”Samaras underlined that Israel, Greece and Cyprus have “common interests in stability and growth” during a time of unprecedented economic crisis in Greece and amidst the debt crisis in Europe that is “currently reshaping the European Union” and the Arab Spring that is “redefining” North Africa and the Middle East.He said Greece and Cyprus can provide Israel with a “vital connection” to the West in general and to Europe in particular.

LAOS MP, I Korantis: The Constitutional Court of Albania completely removes the term "nationality", there are not Greeks in Albania
 

PARLIAMENTARY QUESTION: 2490/8-12-2011
A: Foreign Minister Stavros Dimas
Topic: The Constitutional Court of Albania completely removes the term "nationality"
As broadcast from Tirana, the Albanian Constitutional Court, in a decision, completely abolished the term "nationality" or the term "according to the nationality of the parents' of the civil status acts. The Court held that these terms as defined in the relevant articles of the Civil Code, violate the principle of legal certainty and is contrary to the Constitution. Therefore the document "On civil status" that will issue the relevant Services will refer only to nationality, name and place of origin.
This development affects directly the Greek National Minority in Northern Epirus, depriving the Greeks the right to self-determination and therefore removing it can prove or claim the credit.
Will the Minister:
Given that this decision adds to a long series of actions of the Albanian state and political institutions that aim to eliminate the Greek Ethnic Community, what steps it intends to take to reverse this negative trend? Will especially beyond the bilateral representations to Tirana to refer the matter, including the Commission on Human Rights, UN, EU and Council of Europe?
The Inquirer
John Korantis

Serbs let Russian aid trucks through barricade

Source: Beta

JARINJE -- Serbs in northern Kosovo removed a barricade this morning to let through a convoy of Russian humanitarian aid enter northern Kosovo.

Ambassador Konuzin at Jarinje (Tanjug)

The barricade was located in front of the Jarnje administrative line checkpoint, in the area that's part of central Serbia.
The vehicles then reached Jarinje, which is controlled by EULEX officials. Journalists also saw police officers of the Kosovo Albanian authorities from Priština there, but they did not check the trucks and cars.

Russian Ambassador in Belgrade Aleksandr Konuzin traveled in the convoy. At the barricade, he exited his car to shake hands with the Serbs guarding the roadblock and took pictures with them.

An SUV with a Russian flag was also seen in the convoy.

Konuzin is expected to address the citizens at another barricade, in Leposavić, and then in Kosovska Mitrovica, where the aid shipment will be handed over to the Red Cross.

The shipment consists of food, tents, blankets, and other goods, and will be distributed to Serb families most in need of such assistance.

The ceremony in northern Kosovska Mitrovica will be attended by officials of the Ministry for Kosovo, the Red Cross, and local self-administration.

Athens, enormous pressure on the Albanian Constitutional Court decision

Political show, the Greco-known American journalist, Terens Kwik, about this problem, has caused reactions in Greek politics, considering the decision of the Constitutional Court, as decision of Prime Minister Berisha, to appease ethnic Greek Community in Northern Epirus.

The decision of the Constitutional Court of Albania, for the removal of nationality, for the identity cards, has sparked reactions from the major political force within the Greek government.

Apparently Lucas Papadimas government, does not want to face the geopolitical issues, in addition to economic ones, but have reacted initially assumed by Babis Karathanos of LAOS, one of the personages known for autonomy Northern Epirus.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BxcJKpMTM0A&feature=player_embedded#at=25

Is ‘Greater Albania’ in the interest of Albanians?
by Hamza Karcic*

 

12 December 2011, Monday / HAMZA KARCIC* ,

“Greater Albania,” primarily defined as the unification of Albania proper and the lands inhabited by the Albanian population in Kosovo, Macedonia and to a lesser extent Montenegro, has been the dream of some Albanian nationalists.

The notion was invoked as a rationale (among others) for the Belgrade regime crackdown on Albanian dissent in the 1980s in the former Yugoslavia and the repression in Kosovo during the 1990s. With the declaration of independence in February 2008, Kosovo became a second Albanian state. The Albanian political influence in Macedonia (officially, the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, or FYROM) has been enhanced as a result of the Ohrid Agreement of 2001, which ended the brief war in Macedonia. The persistence of the concern that “Greater Albania” is the ultimate goal need not be the case. “Greater Albania” is not in the interest of Albanians.
The process of integration of Albania, Kosovo and Macedonia into the European Union and NATO changes the calculus. Eventual membership of the three in the European Union translates into two to two-and-a-half Albanian votes and potential vetoes in key decision-making structures (with half a vote being the Albanian influence on how Macedonia votes).
The hypothetical scenario of Greater Albania, by contrast, would translate into a single vote. Assuming political solidarity between Albanian leaders in these three states, more votes would bring more leverage and more bargaining chips. Based on the current mechanism of national government representation in the European Union and assuming adjustments to accommodate new members, this calculus is particularly relevant as it applies to the European Council.
In the case of the European Commission, at least two commissioners would be from Albanian states each, with the possibility of a third. Voting in the Council of the European Union is weighted in favor of states with smaller populations, thereby ensuring an additional advantage. Similarly, with Albania a member of NATO, future membership of Kosovo and Macedonia would amplify the voice of political representatives of Albanian populations in the three states in the decision-making processes of the North Atlantic Council. The same logic applies for a number of international institutions.
This would not be a precedent, however. With the 2004 European Union enlargement, Cyprus (the Greek part of Cyprus, that is) became a member state, doubling Greek votes and potential vetoes in the European Council and the European Commission. But this is as far as the analogy goes. The Cyprus case is different in terms of its impact on Turkey’s integration with the European Union and its implications for the NATO-European Union cooperation.
The irony of the debate about “Greater Albania” is that it neglected a key factor: the (redefined) interest of the Albanians. The new strategic calculus explains why fears of a “Greater Albania” are unwarranted.

http://www.todayszaman.com/news-265499-is-greater-albania-in-the-interest-of-albanians-by-hamza-karcic*.html

---

*Hamza Karcic is an instructor at the faculty of political science, University of Sarajevo.

Samaras - Berisha meeting in Paris

- Premier Berisha during his visit to France where he participated in the summit of the People's Party, met with the New Democracy leader, Antonio Samaras.
According to Greek media, the meeting was talking to a maritime boundary agreement. Greek electronic media say that, "Mr Berisha welcomed the proposal of the President of New Democracy and the two agreed to conclude a new agreement between them, right when the opposition comes to power and its leader, Samaras to become prime minister" .

Also learned that the meeting is to discuss issues of mutual cooperation to win the election. Thus, Samaras has talked with Berisha that the election campaign in Greece to look for the announcement of Korca, Himara Permet and minority-majority cities. This will be of assistance in exchange of Samaras will give Berisha to win the election for another term.
Berisha meeting with Samaras in fact not reported by the Cabinet. It took the Greek media reporting to agree that Berisha has spoken to a maritime boundary agreement.
In 2009, the Albanian government, represented by Foreign Minister Lulzim Basha, the government signed an agreement with Greek right then.
This agreement was rejected by the Constitutional Court, while Berisha was set for another deal.

http://www.gazetatema.net/web/2011/12/12/berisha-takon-samaras-gati-per-te-nenshkruar-nje-tjeter-pakt-detar-kryeministria-nuk-e-raportoi-takimin/

21st anniversary of DP, Berisha interrupts speech
12/12/2011

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ys7rBO3B4Hw&feature=player_embedded

The Albanian Prime Minister, Sali Berisha, was obliged to interrupt his speech for the 21st anniversary of the Democratic Party foundation after feeling ill.

 The Prime Minister left the podium accompanied by his escort, stood some minutes behind the scene and then left the Palace of Congresses.

Before interrupting his speech, the Head of the Albanian Government spoke about the creation of the Democratic Party, considering it as the major event of 1990.

“We are celebrating today the creation of the first pluralist party in Tirana. In 1990, the students of Tirana, led by Azem Hajdari, gathered with great courage and overthrew the most savage communist dictatorship in Europe, by founding the Democratic Party”, he declared.

But year 1990, according to the Prime Minister, is not only the foundation of the Democratic Party, but also the year of the freedom and human rights, today guaranteed by Constitution.

“Year 1990 is the birthday of freedom, and today we are not only celebrating the day of the foundation of this party, but the second date, that of basic freedoms, while our nation celebrates its biggest event since 28 November 1992”, Berisha declared.

“We are celebrating today the year of our freedom, guaranteed by constitution, as a country that has dozens of Parliamentary and non-Parliamentary parties”, he declared.

The undisputable leader of the Democratic Party declared that Albania has today freedom of speech, free vote, religious tolerance; a country that fully respects the minorities’ rights and as a state with the rule of law and constitutional order.

Berisha then mentioned a series of achievements of the right wing cabinet, which, according to him, has pushed Albania to the EU integration road.

“Albania is today the country with the biggest average revenues, the country with the lowest infant death, and where tourism has grown with 10 times”, Berisha declared.

“We stay determined to see Albania a developed country, with our deep reforms. The achievements in the integration are merit of the Democratic Party”, he added.

Serbia's future "only in EU", says Tadić

Source: Beta, Tanjug

BELGRADE -- Boris Tadić said on Sunday in Belgrade that Serbia's future was "exclusively in the EU", and that "that was the only place to solve the issue of Kosovo".

Boris Tadić is seen at the DS Main Board meeting

The Serbian president and ruling DS party leader also stated that this was "one of the most important national interests".
In an almost 50-minute address to the gathering of his party's main board, Tadić said "marching toward the European Union" was the country's principal strategic direction.

Adding that Serbia "never received such positive appraisal in its process of joining the EU" - as on Friday, when Brussels postponed its decision on making the country a candidate for membership - and while 25 of its member-states thought this status was deserved "by the depth of reforms", there was one reason such outcome did not materialize:

"Serbia did not become a candidate for one and only one reason, and that is a lack of solution to the issue of regional representation of Kosovo and Metohija."

Speaking about his party's policy of "both Kosovo and the EU", Tadić said that it was "not rigid while giving up on either of its ingredients would be "naive or dangerous".

He described policies that wish to give up on the country's legitimate interests as "naive", while those that place Kosovo "above human lives" - as "dangerous".

Fatos Nano confirms candidacy for President
11/12/2011

In an interview for Top Channel, the former Socialist leader, Fatos Nano, confirmed his will to become the next President of Albania. He says that he is looking for partners on both political sides, and that he desires normality with the Socialist Party. The former Socialist leader commented the recent political developments in Albania, the failure with the EU candidate status, the roles of both government and opposition in this process and his relations with the Socialist Party. Nano is visiting London win invitation by the European Institution of the London School of Economics, where he held a speech about Albania.

Epikaira Magazine Presents New Book “Karamanlis-Off the Record”

December 11, 2011 | Filed under: Geopolitics

Epikaira Magazine featured on Thursday several chapters with unknown information and data concerning the Karamanlis government and the former Greek PM’s policy lines and life throughout the years he had served as Greece’s PM.

All missing links are included in a new 500 pages book titled “Karamanlis-off the record” authored by Manolis Kottakis and Livanis Publications.

The book includes chapters on the Vatopedi scandal, the December riots, why Kostas Karamanlis chose Karolos Papoulias for the Hellenic presidency, his lately poor relations with the US, especially after he vetoed FYROM’s accession to NATO in 2008, the reasons why he decided to side with Russia in the energy sector and buy Russian weapon systems S-300.

Among others, Mr. Kottakis’ book describes Karamanlis friendship with French President Nikola Sarkozy, his financial exchanges with German Chancellor Angela Merkel and the weapon sales between the two countries, his “continuous fight” with Greek media magnates, Putin’s predictions about the developments in the broader Mediterranean region and the strengthening of Greek-Chinese relations.

Other parts of the book, are said to focus on Karamanlis’ relations with the political and social elite in Greece as well as abroad, and it even talks about his relations with former US President George Bush, current President Barak Obama, and Turkey’s Recep Tayip Erdogan.

Secret diplomacy and dialogues, the Cyprus issue and Turkey’s relations with Europe are also explained by the former PM.

Most importantly, all documents revealing the “Pythia” plot of murdering Karamanlis will be included in this book, as well as his own comments on knowing the existence of such a plot against him.