Patriarch Kirill of Moscow arrives in Athens for official visit

 

 ANA-MPA -- Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia arrived in Athens Saturday afternoon for an official visit to Greece from June 1 to 7.

He was received at Athens' “Eleftherios Venizelos” International Airport by Archbishop Ieronymos of Athens and All Greece and members of the Holy Synod.

A welcoming official service will later be held at the Church of Agios Dionysios Areopagite, after the end of which Kirill and Ieronymos will hold a meeting at the Athens Archdiocese. On Sunday, the two patriarchs will jointly officiate at the church of Agios Panteleimon, Acharnon.

On Monday, Patriarch Kirill will meet separately with President of the Republic Karolos Papoulias and Prime Minister Antonis Samaras, before departing for Thessaloniki and Mt Athos.


(file photo)

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No statements after Vučić's meeting with Serbs

Source: Tanjug

BELGRADE -- Serbia's First Deputy Prime Minister Aleksandar Vučić met in Belgrade on Friday with representatives of Serbs from northern Kosovo and Metohija

Representatives of Serbs from Kosovo are seen in Belgrade (Tanjug)

According to announcements, they discussed the implementation of the agreement reached between Belgrade and Priština in Brussels on April 19, "and other important topics."
The talks lasted more than two and a half hours. No statements were made after the meeting.

Vučić met with Deputy Director of the Government's Office for Kosovo Krstimir Pantić, head of the Kosovo Mitrovica District Radenko Nedeljković, Chairman of the Serb National Council in northern Kosovo Milan Ivanović, and the mayors of the four Serb-majority municipalities in the north of the province.

Earlier in the day, Vučić was quoted as saying that he was "certain that an agreement would be reached," and that "the strength of the state is demonstrated through arguments and an agreement with our people."

He was also quoted as saying that "it is important to continue the talks," and that the government "did not opt to sack those who are against the Brussels agreement."

Representatives of Serbs from northern Kosovo previously on several occasions stated that they were against the deal reached in the negotiations between Belgrade and Priština.

After Vučić traveled to Kosovo in early May, it was announced that "the positions of the two sides had been brought closer."

The previous meeting in Belgrade was held on May 20.

Arrested 23-year old Albanian who seduced the 13 year old with Facebook

Arrested at the Spa Eleftheron Kavala 23-year old Albanian accused of grabbing a 13-year old Christina Krassa.

13 year old Christina H traveled alone from Athens to go to meet the 23-year Marjon Ajazi, who lived and worked in Kavala.

Authorities mobilized quickly while'' Amber Alert'' marked the Smile of the Child on the disappearance.

The 13 year old was found Thursday evening in Baths Pangee Kavala and transferred with ambulance smile of a child to the hospital in Kavala for preventive examinations.

Police, searching for traces of the perpetrator, asked the assistance of the former employer of the young, to convince him to release the 13 year old girl.

The 23 year old visited his former employer to ask for food for him and Christina Krassa. His former employer and his son convinced the youngster to indicate a point at the girl.

Shortly before midnight Friday law enforcement authorities discovered Christina Krassa hiding in the trees, at the point indicated by the perpetrator, while the young man escaped arrest, taking refuge in the forest.

According to the Nation, initially the stigma of Christina detected via mobile phone, opened when he arrived in Kavala to phone to her friend in Spata.

As it became known, the couple circulated with a white car in the rural area of ​​Eleftheroupolis, where in previous years the young man worked as a shepherd.

Publication of Daily reports that the 23 year old Albanian was expelled two years ago from Greece for violating drug laws. Still, according to reports, the 13 year old lives in the house of her grandmother while growing up without a father and mother is a drug addict and is reportedly inmate institution.

Serbs in northern Kosovo set to form Assembly

SOURCE: BETA
ZVEČAN -- Representatives of Serbs from northern Kosovo have decided to hold a constitutive session of the Assembly of the Autonomous Province of Kosovo and Metohija.

 

The session will be held on June 6.

This was decided on Friday during a meeting in the town of Zvečan.

Zvečan Municipal Assembly President Gvozdić Gvozdić told Beta that the mayors of the four Serb towns in the north did not attend because they are in Belgrade today for talks with Deputy PM Aleksandar Vučić.

The Kosovska Mitrovica district chief was also absent for the same reason.

Gvozdić explained that the decision was made by the Coordinating Body, made up of heads of local self-governments, chiefs of councilor groups in local assemblies, and representatives of political parties in northern Kosovo.

WANTED AN ALBANIAN PRISONER WHO HAS SEQUESTERED A GREEK GIRL 

Israel & Middle East

Assad threatens retaliation against Israeli airstrikes, says he’s ‘confident in victory’ in Syria’s civil war

Zeina Karam And Bassem Mroue, Associated Press | 
More from Associated Press

Al-Manar Television via AP videoSyrian President Bashar al-Assad during an interview broadcast on Al-Manar Television on Thursday, May 30, 2013.

Assad also told the Lebanese TV station Al-Manar that Russia has fulfilled some of its weapons contracts recently, but he was vague on whether this included advanced S-300 air defence systems.

Matt Gurney: Somewhere in Israel, the countdown has started

On Thursday, official Syrian media announced that the country’s armed forces had received the first shipment of Russian S-300 air defence missiles.
Somewhere in Israel, a countdown has started.
The S-300 is an advanced air defence system. It includes anti-air missiles with a range of 200 kilometres, and sophisticated targeting and tracking computers. The S-300 can reportedly track 100 targets at once and engage 12 at a time. It is comparable to many advanced Western/NATO systems of similar function, and represents a significant upgrade to Syria’s existing air defences.
That alone is cause for concern in Israel.
Continue reading …

The comments were in line with a forceful and confident message the regime has been sending in recent days, even as the international community attempts to launch a peace conference in Geneva, possibly next month. The strong tone coincided with recent military victories in battles with armed rebels trying to topple him.
The interview was broadcast as Syria’s main political opposition group appeared to fall into growing disarray.
The international community had hoped the two sides would start talks on a political transition. However, the opposition group, the Syrian National Coalition, said earlier Thursday that it would not attend a conference, linking the decision to a regime offensive on the western Syrian town of Qusair and claiming that hundreds of wounded people were trapped there.
Assad, who appeared animated and gestured frequently in the TV interview, said he has been confident from the start of the conflict more than two years ago that he would be able to defeat his opponents.
“Regarding my confidence about victory, had we not had this confidence, we wouldn’t have been able to fight in this battle for two years, facing an international attack,” he said. Assad portrayed the battle to unseat him as a “world war against Syria and the resistance” — a reference to the Lebanese Hezbollah, a close ally.

We are confident and sure about victory, and I confirm that Syria will stay as it was

“We are confident and sure about victory, and I confirm that Syria will stay as it was,” he said, “but even more than before, in supporting resistance fighters in all the Arab world.”
Assad has said he would stay in power at least until elections scheduled in 2014, but he went further in the interview, saying he “will not hesitate to run again” if the Syrian people want him to do so.

NPCLICK TO ENLARGE

Taking a tough line, he also warned that Syria would strike back hard against any future Israeli airstrike.
Earlier this month, Israel had struck near Damascus, targeting suspected shipments of advanced weapons purportedly intended for Hezbollah. Syria did not respond at the time.
Assad said he has informed other countries that Syria would respond next time. “If we are going to retaliate against Israel, this retaliation should be a strategic response,” he said.
Russia’s S-300 missiles would significantly boost Syria’s air defences and are seen as a game-changer, but Assad was unclear whether Syria has received a first shipment.
Earlier Thursday, Al-Manar had sent text messages to reporters with what it said was an excerpt from the interview.
The station quoted Assad as saying Syria had received a first shipment of such missiles. The Associated Press called Al-Manar after receiving the text message, and an official at the station said the message had been sent based on Assad’s comments.
In the interview, Assad was asked about the S-300s, but his answer was general.

Turkey army "shows its teeth"


Large exercises of the Turkish Army at front of the Greek maritime borders




With a large landing was rebuked energy in Seferihisar Gulf of Doğanbey, in south of Smyrna, was completed yesterday the annual interdisciplinary exercise EFES the Turkish Armed Forces (LDC) which although less, considered the best organized and the most advanced means of landings made so far.

H exercise held between 16 and 30 May and involved 7,000 military personnel, 23 landing ships, 22 aircraft and 17 helicopters Administrations Land, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard and Special Operations Command of the Turkish General Staff.

The exercise involved EFES-2013 Units of 11 L / W TAXPZ of 19 TAXPZ, 57th TAXPV beyond the Marine Brigade attached to the Navy.

The purpose of the exercise was the capture of an island the size of Samos, which was also depicted in one of the maps of photos, even with slightly varied coastline.

Implemented various battle scenarios as naval ban aerapovatikes and amphibious operations by Navy special forces etc.

For the first time in the final phase of the exercise were not invited to attend journalists and syneoos there was "open" coverage, beyond what was recorded the Anadolu state news agency and state television TRT.

Albania passes EU integration laws to clinch candidate status

 

 

Xinhua | 2013-5-31 9:11:30 By Agencies

Albania's ruling Democratic Party and its main rival the opposition Socialist Party took a brief pause in their heated electoral campaign on Thursday to pass three laws key to the Balkan nation's path to seek candidate status from the European Union.

One of the laws regulated the activity of the Supreme Court, the other the status of civil servants and the third was a reform of parliamentary procedure.

The government of Prime Minister Sali Berisha accused the opposition of harming Albania's interest after it refused to approve the laws.

The opposition Socialist Party dropped its opposition after Berisha's key ally over the past four years, the Socialist Integration Movement party, quit Berisha's coalition to join the Socialists ahead of June 23 parliamentary elections.

SIM urged them to vote the laws on the grounds that there was still time for the European Commission before it prepared its progress report for Albania. The Socialists agreed on condition the laws became effective on October 1 when the new parliament would be in session.

"Today, 236 days after (Socialist Party leader) Edi Rama blocked them, parliament voted the three laws. This is a victory for all those who fought every day for their approval and who dreamt of the EU, the prettiest project for their future," Berisha said after the vote.

Ditmir Bushati, the Socialist politician in charge of European affairs, hit back.

"Berisha should apologize for not achieving any of the standards set by the European Union," he said.

Although the discussion in parliament turned briefly into a election campaign rhetoric, the laws passed without any hitches.

However, the Socialists did not vote with the Democrats to approve a delay until the year's end of an amnesty for unpaid taxes and tariffs.

Both the EU and the US, which have urged Albania to hold free and fair elections if it wants to be given candidate status, hailed the passage of the laws.

"The approval of these laws is very important not only because it was asked by Brussels but also because it demonstrates the capacity to work together (of the rival parties) when they have the interest of the country at heart," the EU ambassador Ettore Sequi told reporters.

Sequi recalled European Enlargement Commissioner Stephan Fuele had said it was critical Albania approved the laws and achieved credible results in the fight against crime and corruption. The quality of parliamentary elections on June 23 was also very important, he said.

The US Embassy also welcome the consensus on the laws.

"We encourage the next parliament and government to dedicate themselves to fulfilling the remaining priorities and other necessary reforms through consensus and cooperation in order to earn a positive opinion from the European Union," the US said.

Top 10 facts about Albania

ONE hundred years ago, on May 30, 1913, the Treaty of London was signed, ending the First Balkan War and recognising the independence of Albania.

By: William Hartson

Published: Thu, May 30, 2013

5Comments

Mother Teresa is celebrated as the only Albanian to win a Nobel Prize

1. The Albanians call Albania ‘Squiperia’ or Republika e Shqiperise in full.

2. Mother Teresa (Anjezë Gonxhe Bojaxhiu) is generally celebrated as the only Albanian to win a Nobel Prize, though born in Skopje in 1910 (now in Macedonia but then in the Ottoman Empire).

3. The Tirana International airport was named after Mother Teresa in 2001.

Albanians call Albania ‘Squiperia’

4. The only other Nobel Prize winner of Albanian origin was Ferid Murad (USA) who won the 1998 prize for Medicine. His father was Albanian.

5. John Belushi, star of the film The Blues Brothers, also had an Albanian father.

6. Albania, Armenia and Vatican City are the only European countries without a McDonald’s branch.

7. In 1995, drivers in the Albanian city of Shkodra refused to pay a new traffic-light tax on the grounds that their city had no traffic lights.

8. Albanians nod their head up and down to mean ‘no’, and shake it from side to side for ‘yes’.

9. Albania has never won a medal at the Olympics.

10. King Zog of Albania (ruled 1928-39) was the only national leader in modern times to return fire during an assassination attempt.

http://www.express.co.uk/fun/top10facts/403506/Top-10-facts-about-Albania

Ex-chiefs of state security, Red Berets acquitted
SOURCE: B92, BETA, TANJUG
THE HAGUE -- The Hague Tribunal on Thursday acquitted of all charges former Serbian state security officials Jovica Stanišić and Franko Simatović.

 

(Beta/AP)
Stanišić is former head of the State Security Service (DB), while Simatović commended DB's Special Operations Unit (JSO, aka Red Berets).

Stanišić and Simatović stood accused of crimes against non-Serb civilians in Bosnia and Croatia, in the period between 1991 and 1995.

The decision to free them of all charges was made by the majority of the Trial Chamber, Judge Michele Picard dissenting. The Chamber also ordered their immediate release.

Stanišić and Simatović were accused of having directed, organized, equipped, trained, armed and financed units of the Serbian State Security Service which murdered, persecuted, deported and forcibly transferred non-Serb civilians.

The Hague prosecution alleged that the two accused participated in a joint criminal enterprise.

But the Trial Chamber found that while those units committed the crimes of deportation, forcible transfer and murder, Stanišić and Simatović "cannot be held criminally responsible for these crimes."

The majority, Judge Picard dissenting, was unable to conclude that the accused shared the intent to further the common criminal purpose of the JCE.

The Chamber also did not conclude that Stanišić acted as liaison between Slobodan Milošević and Radovan Karadžić and Milan Martić, which, it was stated, were the main organizers of the JCE.

With the exception of Doboj and Bosanski Šamac, the Chamber did not find that the Special Operations Unit had committed crimes during its operations.

In their closing arguments, the prosecution sought life in prison for both defendants, while the defense asked the judges to acquit their clients.

Stanišić and Simatović were arrested on March 13, 2003, a day after the assassination of Zoran Đinđić, and extradited to the Hague Tribunal in May and June the same year.

They both pleaded not guilty to the charges brought against them.

Serbian PM Ivica Dačić welcomed the verdict today and asserted that it was "of great significance for Serbia."

Russian, Serbian Military Chiefs Discuss Collaboration

Russian General Staff chief Valery Gerasimov
© RIA Novosti. Sergei Pyatakov



Serbia to Build Armored Vehicles with Russian Components
MOSCOW, May 30 (RIA Novosti) – Russian General Staff chief Valery Gerasimov and his Serbian counterpart, Ljubisa Dikovic, on Thursday discussed a renewed boost to bilateral collaboration on defense.

“This year, we have stepped up our contacts with Serbia’s Defense Ministry,” Gerasimov said, adding that a strategic partnership declaration signed a week ago had reinforced bilateral ties. The document calls for long-term collaboration between the Russian and Serbian armed forces.
The military leaders also discussed the situation in the Balkans and a number of other current regional and international security issues. “Our relations have strategic value,” Gen. Dikovic said.

NATO troops can intervene at any moment and law statute provides that the Albanian Parliament approved, to maintain political stability

"Albanian Lion" operation will begin to Himara Region as the "A" destination, continuing to Vlora, Berat, Saranda, Sazan, etc. Rinas.

Parliament has approved in an extraordinary session, installation of NATO troops (British) in Albania

Over three thousand soldiers will be the operation of British troops to be installed in Albania during the summer season (Election process).

Albania not only stability, but also the entire region, will now be under the supervision of  NATO, especially British and American troops, who will be the guarantor of any disruption to the situation in the region.

British troops will be installed in Himara Region, first, and then with all the time in the south of Albania, Vlora, Berat, Sazan Island and Rinas International Airport.

British troops alongside the U.S. troops will be on standby to intervene at any moment will require situations.

It is believed that the total number of British troops will be over 3 thousand personnel, ranging from two-Heli Land Assault  steal, frigates, destroyers and commando soldiers.

SManalysis, warned that NATO could intervene in case of escalation of the political crisis in Albania

U.S. does not take part in the Albanian crisis, but warns it will punish violence

Tema Newspaper
 
  Director for Central and Southern Europe at the State Department, urged the Albanian citizens to respect the election institutions in Albania and Albanian politics encouraged to vote three remaining bills from the package of laws needed to apply for candidate status for membership the European Bahskimin.

Mr. Moore expressed his strong support for the U.S. Ambassador in Tirana, Alexander Arvizu, in an effort to quell rumors spread by sources close to the government that the ambassador does not support critical tone towards the government.

Mr. Moore said that "we believe it is absolutely necessary that citizens of Albania can respect the institutions responsible for elections and election results."

Moore said he met Ms. McCormack, who is in charge of the monitoring mission. He mentioned Secretary Clinton's commitment to elections in Albania, stressing their importance to the accession process in Europe.

Mr. Moore is also encouraged in order to comply with political leaders on the adoption of three laws stating that "in politics and diplomacy, offered no congratulations until something happened, so we will wait to see what will happen in Parliament tomorrow, but we hope that this will move forward successfully. "

For some time, SManalysis, has analyzed a possible NATO intervention in case the Albanian political electoral crisis, will exacerbate stability in Albania.

http://www.gazetatema.net/web/2013/05/29/shba-nuk-merr-rol-ne-krizen-shqiptare-por-paralajmeron-se-do-ndeshkoj-dhunene-plote/

Experts refute nationalist party in Albania

29/05/2013

The new party is accused of damaging relations between Albania and EU and undermining minority rights.

By Erl Murati for Southeast European Times in Tirana -- 29/05/13

Supporters of the nationalist Red and Black Alliance march on Tirana main boulevard during a May Day protest demanding the resignation of Premier Sali Berisha on May 1st. [AFP]

The extreme nationalistic rhetoric from the Albanian political party Red and Black Alliance has damaged the state's relationship with the EU, analysts and experts said.

"This party has caused damages because it wants national unification … this is a wrong approach, which harms the biggest achievement of Albanian in the last 50 years, the alliance with [the] West," Mentor Nazarko, a professor at the University of Tirana, told SETimes.

The party, founded by Kreshnik Spahiu, former deputy head of the High Council of Justice, is demands unification of an Albanian state, rejects minority rights and accuses Prime Minister Sali Berisha of national treason. It requested a referendum on uniting Albania and Kosovo, but that was rejected by Albania's Central Election Commission.

"The nationalistic discourse of this party has not been serious, which means they brought maximalist thesis, for which they are aware they can't be achieved. There have been also some theses in a way even xenophobic as the stand to not participate in the left coalition, with the argumentation that Greek minority party is part of it," Nazarko said.

The party will participate in the June 23rd parliamentary elections, but it is not in the opposition coalition guided by socialist leader Edi Rama because the alliance objects to the Unity for Human Rights party, which protects Greek minority rights in Albania.

"The statement made from Red and Black Alliance for not being part of the coalition only because we are part of it, is offending. Unity for Human Rights party has been a model of coexistence. Greek minority representatives have shown they live with dignity and tried to maintain friendship bridges aiming for Albania to have its right European profile," Ligoraq Karamelo, vice chairman of the Unity for Human Rights party, told SETimes.

The Red and Black Alliance was given a warning by the Protection and Discrimination Commission after the mayor of Pustec said it threatened the Macedonian community in his municipality.

At the request of Macedonian community, in March 2013 the Albanian government changed the name of the municipality from Liqenas to Pustec.

"The Protection and Discrimination Commission ordered us to make a public apology, but we didn't do anything wrong. We did not offend or exercise violence against anybody. We just attached posters with Albanian emblem and symbol because there are no two language signs in Liqenas [Pustec]. Along with signs in Macedonian there should be also those in Albanian. This is a legal obligation," Redi Ramaj, head of Legal Department within Red and Black Alliance, toldSETimes.

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According to a recent media poll, the Red and Black Alliance is projected to get about 2.9 percent of the votes in the elections.

Many voters eschew what the party stands for.

"Red and Black Alliance is playing with people's feelings. We want to improve the economy, young people require more work because they don't want to emigrate. I am going to vote for a party that guarantees the future to us and not for romantic national unity theses that do not improve our lives," Eridian Bakiu, information technology specialist in Tirana, 28, toldSETimes.

Do you agree that the Red and Black Alliance damages Albania's relationship with the EU? Tell us your thoughts in the comments below.

Nishani dismisses three generals
29/05/2013

The Albanian President, Bujar Nishani, has dismissed three Generals of the Armed Forces, including the Vice Chief of the General Command, Sander Lleshi. 

General Lleshi, one of the names mentioned as candidate for President, declared that the decree was not expected.

During an interview for Top Channel, Lleshi underlined that he will address the court for this decision, and mentioned his previous conflicts with the Minister of Defense, Arben Imami.

“We are not talking about a development of the recent days, but something that has a long story behind. Based on this report, there are several important principle divergences based on the way how the Armed Forces function, a problem that I have discussed in all respective instances with the Minister, and I recently made it official with a letter to the Head of State. We are talking about a discussion that started a long time ago about principles and the way how the Armed Forces are led and how they function”, the General declared.

With a 35-year-long career in the Armed Forces, the General’s name became more noted when the famous Albanian writer, Ismail Kadare, proposed him as one of the candidates for president. During an interview for Top Channel, the General avoided to discuss any political issue.

“Unfortunately, this decree is not based on the career law for the Armed Forces, not even formally. This is a legally and principally crippled decree. The relations with the NATO and the fulfillment of the NATO obligations; the training of the personnel and of the Armed Forces people, and also the focusing of the Armed Forces in their mission, are three of the main reasons for this conflict”, Lleshi declared.

The two other dismissed generals are the Air Force Commandant, General Dhori Spirollari, and the Commander of Regional Support, General Abaz Lleshi. 

USA: Don't touch elections
29/05/2013 

“If the June 23rd elections will be followed by violence, Albania enters on a track that goes on a clashing course with the United States”, declared Jonathan Moore after his two-day visit in Tirana. 

The Director for Central and Southeastern Europe at the US State Department, Jonathan Moore, shared the conclusions of his trip to Albania with a group of media analysts.

The meeting at the United States Embassy was not filmed, but participants were allowed to report what they discussed with Mr.Moore. Naturally, most of the analysts’ interest was concentrated on the electoral process.

“We have updated our electoral process position. I said that the process is in doubt now. I said that there is another institution, the Electoral College. Every concern for stealing votes is very serious. That’s why was undertaken an effort for a rigorous observation”, Moore declared.

When asked if the recent developments in Albania, and the fact that Prime Minister Berisha did not take in consideration the suggestions made by the US Ambassador have placed our country in a track that goes against the United States, Moore answered: “We are not on a track that goes against the United States. We will be if there will be violence after the elections”.

Another question was made regarding the modification of Moore’s declaration after his visit in April, which was distributed to the international media by Podesta Group, a company that lobbies on account of the Albanian government. This is what Mr.Moore explained:

“An e-mail was distributed with a version that was not prepared and translated accurately. After the news Podesta contacted with me personally and apologized for this, and then distributed a full version of my declaration”.

Moore answered on the controversial topic of how the Podesta Group influences the US State Department declarations on Albania. Moore reinforced the declarations of Mr.Arvizu regarding Berisha’s promise to lift the visa regime with the United States of America.

“Certainly that we welcome the Albanian citizens in the United States of America, but we stand 100% to the declarations of Mr.Arvizu. Lifting the visa regime is not something that can be done now or in a near future. It is a matter of criteria defined by the United States Congress”, Moore declared.

Top Story’s analyst and moderator on Top Channel, Sokol Balla, who was invited in this conversation with Mr.Moore, commented this meeting as “Nothing new from the American front”.

“They support the ambassador, but not his declarations”, Balla said, adding that Moore’s declarations showed Podesta’s influencing role for the changed stance on the Central Election Commission.

The only declaration for which Arvizu was supported, according to Balla, was the one about the visa regime. Balla underlines that Moore’s position was in support of Ambassador Arvizu for the United States interests, but not about his declarations that interest to the Albanians. 

Macedonia "protects dignity and integrity," cancels summit

SOURCE: B92, TANJUG

SKOPJE -- The summit of the South-East European Cooperation Process (SEECP) which was set to take place this weekend in Ohrid has been canceled.

 

A view of Lake Ohrid (Jovica Damnjanović, file)

Macedonian President Gjorge Ivanov said he canceled the event to protect the state interest and dignity of Macedonia, noting that his country does not want to take part in a game of vetoes, let alone a boycott.

Three countries - Serbia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, and Romania - objected to an invitation for Kosovo, which they do not recognize, while the presidents of Albania and Croatia announced they would not take part since Kosovo is not invited. 

Macedonia has acted fully in line with the SEECP regulations. Unfortunately, old Balkan prejudices and complexes have surfaced in the run-up to the summit and I will not let Macedonia pay the price, said Ivanov, the organizer of the event. 

He says challenges are overcome through dialogue. 

"We have been preparing for this summit all year and we have done everything to bring all leaders from the region to the same table," he said. 

Ivanov wished the next summit organizer success and expressed hope it will take place in "a more European Balkans." 

This is a clear signal to Europe, which reflects the reality in our region and it should serve as a warning, said Ivanov, noting that "state integrity and dignity are most important." 

Before the summit was canceled, a spokesman for EU Enlargement Commissioner Stefan Fule denied reports of Albanian language media in Priština that Fule had decided not to attend.

UN Condemns Foreign Fighters in Syria

Topic: Protests in Syria

UN Condemns Foreign Fighters in Syria

© AFP 2013/ Louai Beshara

23:04 29/05/2013

Tags: Hezbollah, United Nations, Sergei Lavrov, Bashar al-Assad, Lebanon, Syria

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PARIS, May 29 (RIA Novosti) - The United Nations’ Human Rights Council on Wednesday passed a resolution condemning the participation of foreign combatants on the side of the Syrian regime.

The Human Rights Council "condemns the intervention of foreign combatants fighting on behalf of the Syrian regime in Al-Qusayr" and expresses concern over the fact that their participation “poses a serious threat to regional stability,” the resolution says.

According to media reports, the nonbinding resolution, sponsored by US, Turkey and Qatar, refers to fighters from the militant group Hezbollah, but the text makes no explicit reference to Hezbollah.

Last Sunday the Syrian army opened up a huge offensive against rebel forces on four fronts, Lebanese TV channel Al Mayadin reported. Government troops attacked in Al Qusayr (Homs Province), Hama Province, Bars region (Damascus Province) and Deraa in the south on the border with Jordan, in what experts quoted by the channel said was an operation of unprecedented scale.

The attack on Al Qusayr involved militia from the Lebanese Hezbollah movement, an ally of the Assad regime, Al Jazeera reported. In a rare media interview on Saturday, President Assad denied his country's forces had outside assistance.

The Syrian rebels have suffered losses in the hundreds, as the offensive was opened with massive artillery fire, Syrian and Lebanese media said. Civilians fled Al Qusayr via a "safe corridor" in the west of the city, Al Mayadin reported.

Lebanon's national news agency reported a rocket strike from Syria had hit the town of Hermel in the north of Lebanon, just inside the border. There was no word of casualties as a result.

The UN resolution stated that it is necessary "to ensure accountability for those responsible for the massacre in Al-Qusayr, all those responsible for the serious violations of international humanitarian rights law in Syria."

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov criticized the draft resolution earlier in the day, saying it was a hindrance to forthcoming peace talks.

Russia and the US have been pushing this month for a peace conference in an effort to end the two-year Syrian conflict, which is threatening to spill over into neighboring states.

Lavrov also warned that the ongoing civil war in Syria, which has claimed the lives of some 80,000 people according to UN figures, is turning into “a inter-confessional” conflict, which, he said, could worsen the conflict between Muslims and followers of other religions in the region.

Elections without a complete CEC?

29/05/2013

On the second day of his visit in Albania, the Head for Central and Southern Europe at the US State Department, Jonathan Moore, met with the local leaders of Durres, where he confirmed the US official stance for maximal attention on the Albanian elections. 

He insinuated that finding a solution for the Central Election Commission crisis was mission impossible.

“The best situation would be if the Central Election Commission would have all the seven members. However, there are only four active members and this issue might be resolved soon, or it might not. The United States will give maximal attention to the entire election process”, Moore declared.

However, the high rank US official declared that Albania has other institutions too, such as the Electoral College. He reminded that the United States of America want the Albanian voters to trust their election managing institutions.

Moore supports Arvizu’s declarations

Yesterday, after a meeting with Edi Rama, Moore supported the stances held by the United States ambassador in Tirana, Alexander Arvizu, saying: “Even in the past we have expressed our position on the elections, and our ambassador made it clear that we want the Albanian people to trust the electoral process, the institutions and results after the June 23rd elections”.

Arvizu is not mentioned by chance in this declaration, and it is fully understandable. Since the last week, the Ambassador has been in the center of criticizing declarations by Prime Minister Berisha, about some declarations released by Arvizu on the Central Election Commission, which are not on the same line with the Prime Minister.

Political analysts did not hesitate to compare Berisha’s clashing with the Arvizu to the previous similar situations that the Prime Minister had with previous United States Ambassadors, such as Marisa Lino and John Withers. 

Rising extremism in Europe causes concerns in the Balkans

Strong regional co-operation can help fight the threat of extremism in the Balkans.

By Linda Karadaku for Southeast European Times in Pristina

In 2012, 537 people were arrested for terrorism-related offences in 17 EU member states, according to the latest Europol report. [AFP]

The rise of extremism in Europe and its possible threat to the region concerns Balkan analysts, who said the solution is in close political, security and judicial co-operation.
"The Balkans was always one of the most risky terrorist threat areas. It's the only part of Europe [excluding former Soviet Union] that had brutal wars at the close of the 20th century," Dragan Popovic, executive director of the Belgrade Policy Centre, told SETimes.
He said the key element in fighting terrorism is regional co-operation.
"It is impossible to deal with such a threat without strong and substantial co-operation within the Balkans, including close co-operation on political, security and judicial levels," he said.
Popovic also emphasised NATO's role in the regional anti-terrorist fight.
"The Balkans should use the most effective anti-terrorist umbrella in the world, NATO. Even in countries like Serbia, though far from NATO membership, regional co-operation is crucial in the fight against terrorists' threats," Popovic said.
Rising extremism in Europe causes concern in regional countries with a large diaspora, such as Kosovo.
Mentor Vrajolli, a security analyst at the Pristina Centre for Security Studies, said the diaspora is exposed to the same terrorist threats as other Europeans.
"Thus far, our institutions can do nothing about this threat, because Kosovo hasn't been a country of origin or destination of terrorism," Vrajolli told SETimes.
He said that Kosovo institutions should increase preventive anti-terrorist measures, including enhancing communication between Kosovo institutions with Kosovo immigrants in the west.
The increase in recruitment of individuals willing to commit to terrorism is the main concern in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH).
"In the last year, there's a noticeable increase in recruitment of individuals willing to carry out terrorist attacks. They are a real threat to the security of the country, and the entire continent," Dzevad Galijasevic, director of the Southeast Europe Expert Team for the Fight Against Terrorism and Organised Crime, told SETimes.
Galijasevic said the increasing danger from terrorism and extremism in BiH stems from poor social and economic conditions.
According to the BiH secret service agency, about 3,000 Islamic extremists live in the country.
The latest terrorism case was connected to Mevlid Jasarevic, who fired more than 100 bullets from an automatic rifle at the US embassy in Sarajevo in October 2011. The Court of BiH, which qualified Jasarevic's actions as "terrorist," sentenced him to 18 years in prison in December last year.
According to the 2012 Europol report, terrorist attacks in Europe marked a significant increase. In 2012, there were 219 terrorist attacks recorded in seven EU member states. Most of the attacks were attached to separatist terrorism.
In 2012, a total of 537 people were arrested for terrorism-related offences in 17 EU member states, an increase from 484 arrests in 2011.
Terrorism manifests in a variety of ways, and can be driven by diverse motivations, including religion and strong ethno-nationalist sentiments that lead to separatist terrorism, the report said.
"Europol is carrying out a 'travelling in connection to terrorist activities' project on the agendas of current and upcoming EU presidencies. The purpose is to scope current best practices within the EU law enforcement and intelligence communities," Soren Pedersen, a Europol communication officer, told SETimes.

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Popovic said it is important not to overestimate terrorist threats, but preserve the level of human rights and freedoms.
"All Balkan governments could easily use real or imagined terrorist threats to diminish the level of human rights or rule of law in the Balkans. This could be more dangerous for the Balkan peoples than terrorist threats," Popovic told SETimes.
Correspondent Drazen Remikovic in Sarajevo contributed to this report.
How can terrorist threats be reduced? Let us know what you think.

This content was commissioned for SETimes.com.

"Contribution zero" of Edi Rama in Drenica, for the KLA and Kosovo

A year ago, the press in Kosovo, was accused Edi Rama and Socialist Party for filo Greek sentiments, during an official visit in Kosovo.



Zeri newspaper, Kosovo: 
http://www.zeri.info/artikulli/6709/kontribut-zero-i-edi-rames-per-drenicen-uk-ne-dhe-kosoven 
 
The opposition of the municipality of Skenderaj and civil society have rejected the draft decision of the President of Skënderaj, Sami Lustaku, and the recommendation of the Policy and Finance Committee, that Rama declared honorary citizen of the Skënderaj. Representatives of opposition political parties estimate Edi Rama as a man who did not give any contribution, nor the KLA, nor even for Kosovo Drenica.Fadil Geci (LDD), former member of the Assembly, said that the decision itself and Rama are not in the spirit of Drenica."I've said it before and now appears to be true, that private relationships between different figures may not reflect the people and be followed by decisions that are unacceptable and harmful, especially for Drenica. Drenica breathes with the Socialists and the people of strain Edi Rama and Nano. Without doubt, Edi Rama has no contribution to the Drenica, the KLA even less for Kosovo not to talk. He comes when called Kosovo jaranat his chin and make use of its purpose, but he also comes to its own interests. This order can not be tolerated and, finally, an assembly, which consists of elected people should not take such a decision, because it will not go too long, it will probably be taken this title, "said Geci.Meanwhile the commission for information LDK branch, through a reaction, said that the announcement honorary citizen of Edi Rama is not nothing but decrease the value of this recognition."A decision such përkahim we do not, because it detracts gratitude 'Honorary Citizen'. To get this title, the person must have contributed to the area, having. The population of this area do not know what are the merits of Kristaq Edvin Rama and do not know the reasons that led the local government to take this decision. KC rightly ask, if debt is the return of Vlora, the city whose mayor has declared honorary citizen of Skënderaj Sami Lushtaku, "the commission said in reaction to the party branch information.

A year ago, the press in Kosovo, was accused Edi Rama and Socialist Party for filo Greek sentiments, during an official visit in Kosovo.

Related: 

http://www.gazetatema.net/web/2011/11/29/intervista-rama-filogreke-nuk-jemi-ne-por-ata-qe-i-falen-greqise-detin/