NEW Secret Opinion Polls - If Elections Were Held Tomorrow PASOK Would Barely Reach 3%

NEW Secret Opinion Polls - If Elections Were Held Tomorrow PASOK Would Barely Reach 3%

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By Hellas Frappe on 24.10.13

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PASOK is sinking quicker than a rambling man in a sea of quicksand. Two secret polls that were apparently commissioned by PASOK show that the socialists are not making any headway with voters and if national elections were held tomorrow they would barely gather 3% of the vote ( and only 2% in the 18-30 age group).

A report on defencent claims that at this rate the socialists would only be able to gain 10-12 seats in Parliament, but over time, or until the next elections are held, PASOK's image will wear and tear even more and it is very doubtful that they will even reach the required 3%. In fact the report noted that this percentage would not surpass the 2.5 mark.

So where are all of PASOK's supporters going? The answer is obvious, the majority is moving over to SYRIZA which is leading the governing New Democracy party by a comfortable 2-4 percentage points.

At PASOK party headquarters workers remain unpaid, even though PASOK has accumulated hundreds of millions in state grants.

In the state of Achaia, which is traditionally GREEN, or George Papandreou's home base, PASOK is also dropping in popularity and believe it or not Golden Dawn is rising!

Specifically, an opinion poll conducted by the DATA RC company shows a gap between the two major political parties at 10.7 percentage points - SYRIZA is rising rapidly in this state, the popularity of the New Democracy is dropping. SYRIZA apparently gains 34.1 %, while New Democracy has dropped to 23.4% and the Golden Dawn party is following in third at 10.1%! 

Figures and Poll Featured on ifimerida

• SYRIZA 34.1%
• New Democracy - 23.4%
• Golden Dawn - 10.1%
• KKE 5.8%
• PASOK 5%
• Independent Greeks 4.4%
• Ecologists - 2.6%
• DIMAR 2%
• Other Political Parties - 12.5%

The next Military presence in Albania, Kosovo, Fyrom and the Region

Analysts: Kosovo is not Turkey
Top Channel TV

The declaration of the Turkish Prime Minister, Recep Taip Erdogan, that Kosovo is Turkey and Turkey is Kosovo, has been considered by Kosovo historians and analysts as irresponsible, senseless in the diplomatic view and not a good news for Kosovo.

“We have noted irresponsible declarations without a diplomatic sense, such as ‘Kosovo is Turkey and Turkey is Kosovo’. Kosovo and Turkey are friendly countries which have a historic connection. Maybe it is not the right moment to talk about the historic connection between Kosovo and Turky, but I believe that Turkey and the Albanians in general should have good relations and behave as strategic allies, rather than behave like the Prime Ministers of Kosovo in an artificial way, just for consumption, even during our electoral campaign”, declared Frasher Demaj, historian.

According to analyst Halil Matoshi, the declaration Kosovo is Turkey and vice-versa a bad news, because Kosovo must claim to become part of the European Union, and these messages should have come from official Brussels rather than Turkey.

“The good news for Kosovo is not being part of Turkey. The good news would be if someone would come from official Brussels and say that Kosovo is European Union and the European Union is Kosovo. That would be a good news, but unfortunately is not happening. It is very normal that Kosovo is open and have good relations with the neighbors in the region as a priority, even with Turkey, but Kosovo’s palce is the European Union, not Turkey”, declared analyst Halil Matoshi.

Historian Frasher Demaj, same as Analyst Halim Matoshi, gave negative notes for Kosovo’s behavior. According to them, the goal of the Turkish Prime Minister visit is related with the electoral campaign, while the only balance is the possible mobilization of the Turkish minority in Kosovo, who support the party of Prime Minister Thaci.

Turkish PM's statement "crude violation of intl. law"

Source: Tanjug

BELGRADE -- The Serbian government has appraised that a recent controversial statement made in Kosovo by Turkish PM Erdogan was "a crude violation of international law."

The Serbian government in session (Beta, file)

Erdogan's statement in the town of Prizren that "Kosovo is Turkey and Turkey is Kosovo" represents "interfering in the Republic of Serbia's internal affairs," the government concluded on Friday.
A release for the media issued after the cabinet session said that such statements were dealing direct harm to the relations between Serbia and Turkey, and interfering with Serbia's efforts to normalize the situation in the region, especially in Kosovo and Metohija.

The government will for that reason send "the strongest demarche" to the Turkish authorities, and ask for an immediate explanation of Erdogan's gesture.

The government further expressed its belief that the European Union will, "via its relevant organs, and also in the capitals of all member-countries," undertake appropriate measures toward Turkey, as is customary in similar situations - considering that it was "an act that disturbed the peace process" in the southern Serbian province.

Also on Friday, PM Ivica Dačić told reporters on the sidelines of a conference in Belgrade that Erdogan's statement represented "a direct provocation aimed at Serbia," and that "something of the kind should not be happening."

"This is not allowed in modern Europe, perhaps in some other systems it is, but as far as we're concerned, that's not possible," said Dačić, and asked ironically whether Erdogan's trip to Prizren, "where he said he favored (Hashim) Thaci in the campaign for local elections", was also of a "religious nature", like his own last weekend.

"That is not the way to normalize relations between Belgrade and Priština," remarked the prime minister.

Dačić added that "some other Kosovo ministers wish to visit southern Serbia," and that there were no obstacles to them going to mosques there, "just as Serbian officials were allowed to (go to churches) in Kosovo," and added:

"They can go to the mosque and use all the space around the mosque, but where does that lead to? What they are doing is building Berlin Walls."

Deputy PM seeks "urgent apology" from Turkey

Source: RTS, Naše novine

BELGRADE -- "Kosovo is not Turkey," Aleksandar Vučić said on Thursday, and asked for "an urgent apology" from Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

(Tanjug)

Serbia's first deputy PM was reacting to Erdogan's statement in the town of Prizren earlier this week, where he said that “Kosovo is Turkey, and Turkey is Kosovo."
"I consider that statement to be a scandal and I am seeking an urgent apology from Turkey and its Prime Minister Erdogan. That is unacceptable behavior in international relations and it needs to be seen how other countries will react," Vučić, who was in Tel Aviv, Israel, told the daily Naše Novine late on Thursday.

He also stressed that Erdogan was well aware that Kosovo has not been Turkish "since the Balkan Wars."

According to Vučić, the statement "only shows the real intentions of some countries in our surroundings."

"Many hide behind nice words, but it takes emotions to start working, to understand what interests are hiding behind the scenery," Vučić said.

The deputy prime minister added that Serbia must react strongly, "but sensibly":

"Our task is to act rationally, but on the other hand do everything so that this type of statement meets with broad condemnation of the international community."

In a statement given to the Večernje Novosti daily, Prime Minister Ivica Dačić said that Erdogan's statement was "undiplomatic" and that the words spoken in Prizren "certainly do not contribute to political stability in Kosovo and Metohija, or to the restoration of confidence between the Serbs and the Albanians."

The Serbian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) said on Thursday that Erdogan's pronouncements were "not friendly."

Authorities in south KM investigate Vulin

Source: Beta, RTS, Tanjug

KOSOVSKA MITROVICA, BELGRADE -- Prosecution in the southern part of Kosovska Mitrovica opened an investigation against Serbian Minister Aleksandar Vulin and requested a warrant for his arrest.

(Tanjug, file)

The investigation was launched "to determine whether Vulin illegally entered northern Kosovo."
The investigation was launched by the prosecution in the southern, ethnic Albanian part of the town, which requested from the local court to issue a warrant for the arrest of the official.

"The decision was made because there is reasonable doubt that Aleksandar Vulin on October 17 at an unspecified time, without the permission crossed the border of Kosovo with Serbia, outside an authorized border crossing, and entered the territory of Kosovo. This is a criminal act, 'illegal border crossing', under Article 146, paragraph 2 of paragraph 1 of the Criminal Code of Kosovo," said a statement issued by Kosovo's chief prosecutor.

According to this decision, the investigation starts today, and based on evidence collected "will decide whether a complaint will be filed against Vulin."

The minister without portfolio in charge of Kosovo and Metohija reacted by saying that such actions were aimed at "inciting revolt among the Serbs so that they give up on the local elections on November 3."

Vulin on Thursday afternoon had no information that Priština was seeking his arrest, but told the Večernje Novosti daily that he "would not be surprised if Priština resorted to violence, as it had done many times until now."

"Such moves systematically build up tension and are aimed at inciting revolt among the Serbs, in order for them to give up on the elections and miss the chance to take over power in their own communities. Priština arrested me twice before and that for me would not be a new experience. But it turned out I was working for the good of our people and was successfully gathering Serbs in Kosovo," he was quoted as saying.

Turkish PM's statement was "not friendly," says MFA

Source: Beta, Tanjug

BELGRADE -- The Serbian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) said on Thursday a statement made by Turkish PM Recep Tayyip Erdogan while in Kosovo was "not friendly."

(Tanjug, file)

"In the Republic of Serbia, such statements cannot be received as friendly. They depart from assurances that we get in contacts with Turkey's top officials," the ministry said.
On Wednesday, Erdogan was in Prizren when he said that “Kosovo is Turkey, and Turkey is Kosovo”. Kosovo and the Turkish people "have the same history and civilization," according to him.

"The town of (Serbian medieval) Tzar Dušan is probably the least adequate place for such statements. Everyone in the world knows that Kosovo is a Serbian word, and Serbia's territory, even those who recognized that quasi-state," the ministry noted in the release.

Erdogan and Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama attended on Wednesday the official opening of a new terminal at the international airport in Priština, the ATA news agency reported.

"When I come to Kosovo, I feel at home. Turkey was among the first countries that recognized Kosovo's independence and we will continue assisting Kosovo," Erdogan said.

Beta is reporting that In a statement given to the Večernje Novosti daily, Prime Minister Ivica Dačić said that Erdogan's statement was "undiplomatic" and that the words spoken in Prizren "certainly do not contribute to political stability in Kosovo and Metohija, or to the restoration of confidence between the Serbs and the Albanians."

Provokimi i rezikshem i Sulejmanit te madherishem

 Stavri Marko

Kryeministri turk, Taip Erdogan, ka qene ne vemendjen e thuajse gjithe opinioneve balkanike, ndersa perfundoi nje vizite provokuese në Kosove në një këndveshtrim gjeopolitik.

Kosova është Turqi dhe Turqia Kosovë

Taip Erdogan, i gjendur ne sfondin e nje “mini republike turke” ne aeroportin e Prishtines, me nje dekor thuajse ne turqisht, beri nje deklarate te forte, kur u shpreh (Prizren) se “Kosova është Turqi dhe Turqia Kosovë” duke nënkuptuar rikthime të begatë në rajon. Kjo sjellje tipike provocative, e liderit te Turqise, qe shënjestron de facto vec te gjithave hegjemoni nën riaktivizimin e Perandorisë Osmane në Ballkan, sensibilizon opinionin musluman, se Turqia do te jete perkrahesi juaj, por edhe rritje te begatise së dikurshme osmane, njekohesisht edhe mbrojtesi apo avokati juaj zyrtar. Në se nëpërmjet kësaj deklarate, komuniteti musulman në Ballkan, vecanerisht Bosnje, Shqiperi, Maqedoni, Serbi, me qëndër në Kosove, duhet të jetë i kënaqur që, ka pas nje Turqi perandorake ushtarake apo ekonomike, atëherë cduhet thënë për komunitetet e krishtera, kryesisht orthodokse që përfaqësojnë shumicën në Ballkan? Cfar do të thotë Serbia, që nuk e njeh Kosovën, Cfar do të thotë Kroacia që njeh një Bosnje musulmane të krishtertë, Cfar do të thotë Maqedonia që ka një minoritet turk brënda, cfar do të thonë Greqia, Bullgaria që kanë komunitet musulman turk në brëndësi? Ose e kundërta, Cfar do të thotë Bullgaria për Maqedoninë, kur 25% e qytetarëve të saj janë shqiptarë musulman, 20% sllavë, kanë pasaportë bullgare, kur Beogradi thotë se kanë 30 mijë serbë në shqipëri, ndërsa shqipëria thotë se ligji i luftës me Greqinë, na rrezikon territorin jugor, cfar do të thotë Hungaria po qe se deklaronte se Vojvodina është Hungaria e dikurshme, pra Kosova turke e Erdoganit, ka një mesazh të qartë: Në ballkan, unë u riktheva.

Baroso: Gjithë ballkani në Bashkimin Europian

Paralelisht me Erdogan në Kosovë, Baroso i Bashkimit Europian, jep alarmin se nëse nuk do ta përfshijmë ballkanin si tërësi në BE, atëherë rajoni do të ngelet peng i destabilitetit dhe konflikteve etnike. Deklarata e bërë nga Revista Gjermane “Blic” është një shqeësim në dukje për lidershipin europian, por i indikuar nga Ëashington. Dështimi i Bosnjes, ka vënë në pikëpyetje të ardhmen e ballkanit Jugperëndimor. Burime gjeopolitike amerikane, flasin se administrate Obama, po shtyn nga njëra anë Brukselin të mbështesë vendet balkanike për anëtarësim në BE, nga ana tjetër, komuniteti i sigurisë amerikane, ka edhe një plan tjetër, atë të ndarjes etnike, por me kosto politike dhe ushtarake. Qëllimi është minimizimi i ndikimit rus në Ballkan. Por a është e mundur që kjo mbështetje (orthodokse) në balkan të ulet, në se Ëashingtoni, është njëkohësisht përkrahës i Turqisë për hegjemoni të re në Ballkan, në të cilën përfshihen edhe trans pipeline TAP? Sigurisht balancat rezikojnë të prishen, historia vepron. Është kjo arsyeja pse Baroso I BE, është kontradiktor, kur përpara një viti, Komisioni Europian, në një raport special ishte i shqetësuar rreth ritjes së investimeve turke në Ballkanin Jugerëndimor, që kapnin shifrat record të 25 miliard eurove, për të cilën vetëm në shqipëri, investimet turke, janë jetike për ekonominë shqiptare, duke zënë vëndin e parë.

Venizelos - Erdogan, në të njëjtën ditë. (Step by Step)

Ndërsa Taip Erdogan, pritej si Sulejmani i Madhërishëm në Prishtinë, Minstri i Jashtëm Grek, Venizelos, nga Athina, I jepte ultimatum Tiranës, për disa kushte qe Shqipëria duhet të plotësonte për rrugën europiane. Kushtet kishin të bënin me “fqinjësinë e mirë”, me pak fjalë për kufirin, Rezoluta Came, ka acaruar diplomacinë greke, në atë shkallë sa u fol për një tjetër Ligj Lufte, por nga pala shqiptare, dekretin mbretëror për shpallje lufte të mbretërisë fashiste, kundër vëndeve aleate, përfshi edhe Greqinë në Korrik të 1940. Ndërkohë cuditërisht nuk është I zyrtarizuar si kufiri detar dhe tokësor jugor. Kjo deklaratë, është dalja e parë zyrtare e Greqisë kundër Shqipërisë, për aq kohë sa temperature mes dyja vëndeve, sa vjen dhe rritet, për të cilën është vënë në pikëpyetje edhe vizita e Presidentit Papulias në 4 Nëntor, në Tiranë. Venizelos nëpërmjet Tiranës, shënjestronte edhe Turqinë, për një bllokim të pashpangshëm të saj në Bashkimin Europian, pikërisht për kufirin detar.. Athina është e sigurtë se futja e perandorisë otomane në ballkan, do të ridimensionojë aleancat e vjetra, dhe ndikimi i Moskës, do të ketë shansin të kontrollojë vendet ortodokse qofshin këto edhe anëtare të aleancës perëdimore. Në se Erdogan dhe Turqia, shikohet si përkrahës i botës musulmane, ndikimet e të cilës shihen edhe në Organizatën Botërore Islamike, atëherë Vladimir Putin, që po e kthen Rusinë në një shtet të fortë ekonomiko ushtarak “EthnoKrator” ngre stekën që të shfrytëzojë këto kongjuktura, duke pasuar botën e krishterë në Ballkan. Është e qartë se “bollëku dhe begatia” që do të krijonte rikthimi perandorisë osmane në këtë zonë, që do të bëhëj realitet, atëherë konflikti rajonal ethnik, do të ishte më i pranishëm. Natyrshëm, lind një pyetje e vështirë: A është kjo gjetja “alla amerikane” për të perkrahur Turqinë, si lidere e re në Ballkan?

  

Former Creek diplomats, send letter to Prime Minister Samaras


The government has forget the Greek National Issues, Northern Epirus, Macedonia, Cyprus ecct.

"Fire" is the letter sent by 23 former ambassadors of Greece to the Prime Minister, Antonis Samaras, a letter mentioned the major issues in Greek foreign policy.

The letter called great truths, and in some cases remind some obvious, but show have been forgotten by their rulers.In an effort to more systematic reminder, the ambassadors are now group under the name "DIPLOMATIKOS CYCLE" on an event entitled "CONSIDERATIONS FOR OUR NATIONAL ISSUES", in the University building "Kostis Palamas" (corner Sina the Academy in Athens), Wednesday, 13 November at 19:00.

Speakers at the event will be John Korantis, former Ambassador of Greece to Turkey and later commander of EYP, Eleftherios Karagiannis, former Ambassador former Greek Ambassador to Belgrade (first negotiator on a bilateral level with FYROM), Konstantinos Politis, former Ambassador former Ambassador of Greece to Albania, Efthimios Stoforopoulos, former Ambassador of Greece to Cyprus, while the event will be moderated by Emmanuel Megalokonomos, former Ambassador former Deputy Secretary General of the Ministry.

More in greek..http://www.greeknation.blogspot.com/2013/10/blog-post_8723.html

Top spying fallout: EU summit promises NSA thunder, data-protection storm

Published time: October 24, 2013 15:31

France's President Francois Hollande and Germany's Chancellor Angela Merkel (AFP Photo / Eric Feferberg)

Conflict, EU, France, Germany, Hollande, Information Technology, Intelligence, Meeting, Merkel, Obama, Peter Oliver, Politics, Protest, Scandal, Security, USA, Yulia Shapovalova
Ahead of the EU summit in Brussels, Germany’s Angel Merkel and France’s Francois Hollande have discussed wiretapping of their communications by America’s NSA. The scandal could push a frustrated EU to change data privacy rules.

The EU summit starting Thursday is expected to be hijacked by recent revelations provided by the former NSA contractor Edward Snowden, which infuriated both Berlin and Paris.

On the same day the summit kicks off, Germany announced it had information that allied US National Security Service had monitored Chancellor Angela Merkel’s personal phone. Earlier, France learnt from reports in Le Monde that the NSA has been recording dozens of millions of phone calls, including those of the French authorities.

Spying between friends 'just not done'
The fallout from the revelations was prompt and direct. Merkel, on arriving for a two-day EU summit in Brussels, said that such conduct between friends was unacceptable.

“Spying between friends - that's just not done,” she said as quoted by the Associated Press.

“I said that to US President Barack Obama when he came to Berlin and again on the phone (Wednesday),” Merkel said.

She added that trust between Washington and its partners has to be restored following the allegations.

“We need trust between partners and such trust needs to be re-established,” Merkel said

http://rt.com/news/merkel-hollande-us-spying-669/

SFM: Erdogan's hostile statements

SOURCE: TANJUG
Belgrade - Serbian Foreign Ministry condemned the statement by Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Ergodan in Kosovo stating that such statements are not friendly.


Turkish and Kosovo Prime Minister (Photo: Beta)

"In Serbia, this statement can not be accepted as friendly. Deviate from the assurances that we have in dealing with top Turkish officials," the ministry said.

 Everybody in the world knows that Kosovo is Serbian word and Serbian territory, even those who recognized the quasi-state," the statement said. Erdogan said yesterday during a visit to Prizren, said that "Kosovo and Turkey, and Turkey Kosovo,"

Kosovo and the Turkish people have the same history and civilization. Erdogan, Prime Minister of Albania, Edi Rama, attended the opening ceremony yesterday, the new terminal at the International Airport "Adem Jashari" in Pristina, reminded the agency ATA. " When I come to Kosovo, I feel at home. Turkey was among the first countries to recognize Kosovo's independence, and we will continue to help Kosovo, "Erdogan s

"Kosovo's independence cannot be recognized"

SOURCE: TANJUG
BELGRADE -- President Tomislav Nikolić stated on Thursday that the unilaterally declared independence of Kosovo "cannot be recognized."


(Tanjug)
This is true "because Serbia has the support of the UN Security Council," according to Nikolić.

To mark UN Day, Nikolić conferred with Resident Coordinator for Serbia and Resident Representative of the UN Development Program Irena Vojackova-Sollorano.

Nikolić said that Serbia was "fully committed to the UN and that it would have been much better if some of the country's internal problems were resolved with the mediation of the world organization."

Nikolić said that Serbia's stand on non-recognition of Kosovo's unilaterally declared independence has the support in the Un Security Council, adding that this bears exceptional importance for Serbia.

Vojackova-Sollorano delivered to Nikolić a letter in which UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon authorized her to perform the duties on behalf of the UN, the president's press service stated.

The UN official said that she wishes to encourage cooperation with Serbia's government bodies during her mandate and thus contribute to improvement of the economic situation in the country.

Vojackova-Sollorano commended the Serbian government efforts in eliminating the corruption, and underscored that "the fight against corruption is one of the foundations of any modern society."

Kosovo Is My Second Country – Turkish PM

RT Serbia

Prime Minister of Turkey, Tayyip Erdogan, at a rally in front of tens of thousands of citizens of Prizren and other Kosovo cities, said that Kosovo is his second country, reported RTS quoting Beta agency.



Speaking at a rally in Prizren together with Prime Minister of Albania, Edi Rama, and Prime Minister of Kosovo, Hashim Thaci, Turkish Prime Minister said that cultures of Turkey and Kosovo can be different, but their citizens belong to the same country.

“Dear brothers and friends, we have a common history of culture and civilization. Do not forget, Turkey is Kosovo and Kosovo is Turkey, we are so close that even the author of the Turkish national anthem, Mehmet Akif Ersoy is from Kosovo, from Pec,” said Erdogan.

Thaci thanked Erdogan on very close and comprehensive cooperation and said that relations between the two countries will always be great.

Kosovo Prime Minister recalled that Turkey was the first country to recognize the independence of Kosovo.

Rama said that Kosovo citizens, Albanians and Turks, are brotherly peoples hired to build their future.

Turkish Prime Minister arrived in Kosovo today with a delegation of 600 members, including most of the ministers of Turkey as well as famous entrepreneurs and representatives of publi

World Bulletin, Turkey

PM Erdogan: Turkey is Kosovo and Kosovo is Turkey


We will turn this region into a garden of beautiful roses. By heart we supported the independence of Kosovo, and our support to Kosovo will continue, said Turkish PM addressing Kosovo citizens in Prizren.

 


World Bulletin / News Desk

Turkish PM Recep Tayyin Erdogan is in his formal visit to Kosovo on Wednesday.
Addressing Kosovo citizens at the main square of Prizren town, Erdogan said that Turkey is Kosovo and Kosovo is Turkey.
"Turkey is Kosovo and Kosovo is Turkey. We are that much close that Kosovo citizen from Pec wrote the text of our national anthem," said Erdogan.
He added that Kosovo and Turkish people have same history and civilization and that it should not be forgotten.
“Languages can be different. Religion, sect, faces can be different, but we are all children of same country,” said Turkish PM.
“My family, I and ministers of my delegation feel like at home. Today I greet all Albanians, Bosnians, Turks and Gorans,” he said.
Erdogan stressed the importance of building a mutual future.
“We will build our future together, same as our grandfathers, our ancestors did. We lived here as brothers for centuries and we will continue so,” said Erdogan.
He pointed out that Turkey will not have any understanding for any bloodshed in the Balkan in future.
“We want domination of peace and stability in this region.”
“Past is in the past”, said Erdogan, “we will not look into the past. We will look into our common future.”
“Those who want the stability will work jointly in creating a better future, as here in this place where we are now, so in Bosnia, Macedonia and entire region.”
Referring to the situation in Syria, he said: “Look, 110,000 lives were taken. Why? Who profited? Imperialists. Who lost? Human.”
Erdogan said that he wants to see Balkans in peace and added that Turkey in that sense has historical experience, as well as political determination.
“We will not point out the differences but communion. We will turn this region into a garden of beautiful roses. By heart we supported the independence of Kosovo, and our support to Kosovo will continue. We will be strong and united as brothers.”
Erdogan said that all Turkey greets citizens of Kosovo. He reminded on recent speech of Albanian PM Edi Rama who said that in Turkey he saw all religious monuments in one place.
“Our cities have always been symbols of communion. Prizren can serve as an example of it,” said Erdogan.
At Wednesday’s public meeting in Prizren, Kosovo citizens were also addressed by Kosovo PM Hashim Thaci, Albanian PM Edi Rama, as well as President of Turkish Democratic Party of Kosovo Mahir Yagcilar.

"Shekulli: "Greece blocks us to EU candidate status"



Venizelos: "The Copenhagen criteria, good neighborliness, respect for international law, respect for European law must be respecting from Albania".

This is the statement of the Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Greece, Evangelos Venizelos, a few days after official visit to Tirana .

"We have an agreement with Albania on maritime demarcation in general, an agreement is signed and agreed which initially was ratified by the Greek and Albanian side and the law is impaired by a decision of the Constitutional Court of Albania .

I ask Albania in accordance with International Law of the Sea , to conclude the process of drafting the agreement . Principles can not be changed , because the principles are the only International Sea Law .
There is , perhaps , the technical issues that we are willing to review the level of a technical committee . There are two options : Option of International Law of the Sea and European Union, and is also the option of challenging the International Law of the Sea and European practice .

Albania says it is a place ready to accept EU . We support the European perspective of Albania , we want to provide assistance and technical support , but there are some prerequisites .

The Copenhagen criteria, good neighborliness, respect for international law, respect for European law must be respecting from Albania. This is the statement of the Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Greece , Evangelos Venizelos , a few days without official visit to Tirana .

Briefly this statement means that Greece approval conditions for granting candidate status to Albania .

By vote against , Greece may block this process in the EU Council meeting in December .

http://www.shekulli.com.al/web/p.php?id=33111&kat=87

Netherlands, the first obstacle on the status of Albania

Timmermans : We are reviewing progress - report and we have not yet decided how they will vote , but the standards must be conditions




Dutch diplomat Frans Timmermans with Albanian counterpart Ditmir Bushati provides support of Netherlands in the process of EU integration. On his part , the Minister expressed confidence that Albania candidate status in December is achievable, and emphasized that much work remains to be done to enable the opening of negotiations for EU membership .

In a joint press conference held at the premises of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs , Minister Timmermans Bushati stressed readiness to intensify bilateral relations in various fields .

Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Frans Timmermans, declared that "we are reviewing progress - report, and we have not yet decided how they will vote, but the standards must be conditions.

Erdogan, Rama and Thaci meeting in Kosovo

 
E.Rama for "Deutche Velle"  : " Pending the" Chameria issue" with Greece "

Rama and Erdogan as guest of Prime Minister Hashim Thaci, attended the inauguration of the new terminal at the airport "Adem Jashari " Pristina .

After the inauguration , the three prime ministers visited the town of Prizren , where lives most of the Turkish minority in Kosovo.

Prime Minister of Turkey came, on his visit to Kosovo, his wife, Emine Erdogan, both Edi Rama with his wife Linda. .

In Addition, during an interview yesterday to the Deutsche Welle, the Prime Minister of Albania, Edi Rama, said that in November will be held in the town of Prizren, the first joint meeting of the governments of Albania and Kosovo .

"We are ready to organize the first joint meeting of the two governments, which will be held in November in Prizren . Part is a known practice to feel valuable and followed by other governments , to implement the strategic partnership of friendship and good neighborliness . Especially the relations between Albania and Kosovo should be developed to such a level to make invisible borders between the two countries and to create the conditions for economic , social and cultural development , " said Mr. Rama.

Speaking on relations with neighboring countries, Mr. Rama expressed the idea of converting the Presevo valley as an example of efforts to respect for minorities and the motif Kosovo -Serbia dialogue .

Finally, Mr. Rama spoke "Chameria issue," and stressed that "the resolution of this issue will build on the Partnership and Cooperation Agreement , signed in 1996 by Greece ."

www.defencenet.gr

Veniselos: Greece former Otoman province, is an insult and mockery

  Picture: AFP

Greek foreign minister: Statement that Greece should be called Former Ottoman Province is an insult and mockery

23 October 2013 | 10:01 | FOCUS News Agency

Home / Southeast Europe and Balkans

 

Athens/Skopje. “Statement that Greece should be called Former Ottoman Province is an insult and a mockery. This will not help for the process of the name issue negotiations,” said Greek Minister of foreign Affairs, Evangelos Venizelos, writes Macedonian Dnevnik daily.
In a commentary on Macedonian Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski’s statement about the Former Ottoman Province of Greece (FOPOG), the Greek top diplomat said that it was probably some kind of a lapsus and not a political statement. He upheld the Greek position on a geographic term before the name Macedonia and that official Athens would not lose ground on its stand.

Macedonian Utrinski Vesnik daily, on the other hand, published a material titled “Venizelos: Good climate is not established through insulting statements”.
The Greek foreign minister said that insulting political statements did not help for a change and improvement of the tense climate between Macedonia and Greece.

Speaking at a press conference at the head office of the Greek foreign ministry Venizelos stressed he hoped that the recent statements of the Macedonian Prime Minister about the alternative analogical name for Greece, was only an unfortunate lapsus, the newspaper writes.

“It is of great importance to change the climate but this cannot be achieved with insulating statements, such as the one that Greece should be called Former Ottoman Province. This is an insult to the process and decisions of the United Nations and I am really sorry for this, even if it really was an unfortunate lapsus and not a political statement. I really hope that it was a lapsus,” the Greek minister remarked.

Erdogan, Rama and Thaci inaugurate the new terminal

UPDATE - "The Turkish prime minister is a friend of all Albanians". This is what the Prime Minister of Albania, Edi Rama said in his speech during the inauguration of the new terminal of "Adem Jashari" airport. "It is a beautiful day to welcome a good friend of Albanians, a friend who supported us in good and bad times, especially Kosovo after declaring indipendence",-he said.

11.39- The Turkish Prime Minister, Recep Tayipp Erdogan has arrived in Pristina, to inagurate together with Mr. Hashim Thacci and Mr. Edi Rama, the new terminal of "Adem Jashari" airport.


08:44-The prime ministers of Albania, Kosovo and Turkey meet today to inaugurate the new terminal of "Adem Jashari" airport in Kosovo. Prime minister Hashim Thaci invited Mr. Erdogan and Mr. Rama days before the inauguration. They will also visit the city of Prizren. The prime minister of Turkey visits Kosovo, accompanied by his wife. /albeu.com/

"Romania could recognize Kosovo in 2015"

Source: Tanjug

BUCHAREST -- Romanian Prime Minister Viktor Ponta told U.S. Vice-President Joseph Biden that his country "may change its current stance on Kosovo and recognize it."

(File)

Romania is among the five EU countries that have not recognized the unilateral declaration of independence of Kosovo, made by ethnic Albanians there in 2008.
Ponta told Romania's private RTV television that when it came to Romania's position on Kosovo, "next year nothing will not change," but that he believes that in 2015, his country "could coordinate its position with its partners in the European Union."

He added that Biden "knows the situation in Romania so well that he did not have to disclose any details of the Romanian position towards Kosovo."

In June, Ponta said that he was in favor of Romania recognizing Kosovo "more quickly," while President Traian Basescu's position on this issue is "more cautious."

The European Parliament in April passed a resolution calling on the five remaining member states that have not recognized Kosovo, including Romania, to do so.

Ponta later stated that Romania "should join the European family" on this issue.

Athens: 11 frigates of the Greek navy, in combat readiness in Aegean Sea



Naval exercise begins today under the name "the Storm" where for the first time 11 of the 13 Greek frigates, are to the fighting formation

The bad economic situation, there is no impact to the Central Headquarters of the Greek Army, which almost every month, has conducted military exercises on land, seas and on air.

Greek army chief, Kostarakos, ordered, Mediterranean naval fleet of 11 frigates to the Greek Navy. to take part in naval exercises dubbed "The Storm", a gesture that, to show the seriousness of the Greek army, the eastern maritime borders of Greece.

11 frigate, of 13 of the Greek Navy in total, today begins naval exercises with combat weapons, missile different land sea and air.

www.defencenet.gr

CEZ Says It’s Open to Talks With Albania on Dropping Arbitration

By Ladka Bauerova - Oct 22, 2013

CEZ AS, the Czech power utility, said it’s open to talks with Albania about possibly dropping an international arbitration suit it filed after the Balkan state revoked its license and seized its assets there this year.

CEZ is willing to consider avoiding arbitration if the two sides agree on fair compensation, spokeswoman Barbora Pulpanova said today in an e-mailed message. Earlier, Reuters cited Albania’s energy minister as saying the country plans to ask CEZ to drop the suit. The Prague-based company hasn’t received an official note from Albania’s government, Pulpanova said.

Albanian authorities revoked CEZ’s license, seized its assets and forced the company out of the country in January, following almost a year of disputes over tariffs, taxes, and unpaid electricity bills from local utilities.
CEZ is seeking compensation for damage to its investment in power distributor CEZ Shperndarje, which it purchased in 2009 for 102 million euros ($139 million). It has invested 100 million euros in repairs and expansion and says the Albanian regulator ordered it to pay state-owned power producers higher tariffs without allowing the Czech utility to raise prices for customers.
To contact the reporter on this story: Ladka Bauerova in Prague at lbauerova@bloomberg.net

Bushati, ceshtja came eshte prioritet. Tema TV. 22 tetor 2013

Albanian diplomacy: priorities of the new Albanian Government to protect Albanians are, Kosovo, Montenegro, Macedonia and Chameria (Greece)

Turkey must have priority role of the Albania strategy neighborhoods, than Italia and Greece

But there is always a great risk to failed, the planned visit of the President of the Greek Republic, Karolos Papoulias in Tirana, on 4 November

Kurdish rebels "ready to re-enter Turkey from Iraq"

SOURCE: REUTERS, TANJUG

Kurdish rebels are ready to re-enter Turkey from northern Iraq, a founding member of the PKK and the head of its political wing, Cemil Bayik, told Reuters.

 

The news agency said that, speaking from his "mountain hideout," Bayik threatened to rekindle an insurgency "unless Ankara resuscitates their peace process soon."

Accusing Turkey of waging a proxy war against Kurds in Syria by backing Islamist rebels fighting them in the north, he said the PKK "had the right to retaliate."

Turkey "strongly denies backing any rebel faction against Kurds in Syria and has held regular talks with the head of a Syrian Kurdish group close to the PKK," Reuters reported.

A ceasefire was called in March between the Kurdish rebels and Turkey, and the guerillas were to retreat to Iraq's autonomous Kurdistan region, "but the withdrawal was suspended last month as the rebels said Ankara had not held up its side of the bargain."

"The process has come to an end. Either they accept deep and meaningful negotiations with the Kurdish movement, or there will be a civil war in Turkey," Bayik told the news agency.

He said that as prerequisites, Turkey "must improve the conditions in which (PKK leader Abdullah) Ocalan is being held and deal with him on equal terms, guarantee amendments to the constitution and enlist a third party to oversee any further steps in the process."

"At a time when the Turkish government is helping the bandit groups and is waging a war on the people of West Kurdistan... it is the right of the Kurdish people to bring the fight to Turkey," Bayik said, referring to the northeastern corner of Syria.

"If the Turkish government wants to insist on fighting, North Kurdistan is the field of war," he said.

First deputy PM cancels trip to Kosovo

SOURCE: BETA

BELGRADE -- First Deputy Prime Minister Aleksandar Vučić on Tuesday canceled his trip to Kosovo, planned for tomorrow, it has been announced in Belgrade.

 
)
Vučić was to visit Leposavić in the north, and the Serb enclave of Gračanica in central Kosovo.

But Vučić decided not to go "after it was not made possible for Minister (without portfolio) in Charge of Kosovo and Metohija Aleksandar Vulin" to travel with him "due to the conditioning from Priština."

The Government Office for Kosovo said in a statement that Vučić "did not want to accept Priština's conditions."

"I want to address my people loud and clear and I want the minister in charge of Kosovo and Metohija to come with me. I do not accept conditions of that type," Vučić was quoted as saying.

According to the statement, the deputy prime minister expressed his expectation that he would be able to visit Kosovo with Vulin "or with any other official of Serbia" by the end of the end of the campaign for the November 3 local elections in Kosovo

 The Ethnic Maps of the Greater Albania to be delivered to UN under 1.000.000 signatures against Greece 


Analysts for Change

http://www.analystsforchange.org/2013/10/1000000.html

 The breaks today exposes the Albanian Tour of the "Natural Albania" who  methodically collects long signatures of Albanians "for unification of the Albanian territories" for submission to the UN official request to the Head of Organization, Professor Koco Danaj , who range of books, articles, lectures and contacts, has managed to collect not only signatures but also financial support!

Prof. Danaj claims that Albania wronged 100 years ago when setting the Borders in the Balkans by the Great Powers after the Ottoman Domination and must be restored most "natural borders" where live Albanian minorities and populations!

   Maintains that, as united of  tow Germany's , which for years was divided into East and West, so we must now unite and split into several pieces and for many years the Natural Albania, Danaj calls.

The Great Powers for the unification of Epirus

"The borders with Albania are still not definitive"

  It is about a complete  reversal of the Greek argument, and the Question of Northern Epirus, by decision of the Allies, officially pending the Council on Foreign Powers 4 winners of WWII, namely Russia, England, France, USA!

   The Northern Epirus Issue - namely the Union of N. Epirus with mother Greece - when deciding Allies, could be considered only after the German reunification! Which has already been done! And it borders with Albania are not definitive, nor have closed the Northern! Regardless of which Athens was left idle for the usual reasons of political failure ..
.
more see .http://www.analystsforchange.org/2013/10/1000000.html

US admits: French surveillance revelations raise 'legitimate questions'

White House makes frank admission over 'how our capabilities are deployed' following call between Obama and Hollande

• Paul Lewis in Washington and Angelique Chrisafis in Paris
• theguardian.com, Monday 21 October 2013

The White House said: 'The president made clear that the United States has begun to review the way that we gather intelligence.' Photograph: UPI/Landov/Barcroft Media

The White House conceded on Monday that revelations about how its intelligence agencies have intercepted enormous amounts of French phone traffic raised "legitimate questions for our friends and allies".
In a statement released after a phone call between Barack Obama and his counterpart, François Hollande, the White House made one of its strongest admissions yet about the diplomatic impact of the disclosures by the former NSA contractor Edward Snowden.
The French government had earlier summoned the US ambassador in Paris on Monday to demand an urgent explanation over claims that the National Security Agency had engaged in widespread phone and internet surveillance of French citizens.
The French daily Le Monde published details from the NSA whistleblower Edward Snowden, suggesting the NSA had been intercepting French phone traffic on what it termed "a massive scale".
"The president and President Hollande discussed recent disclosures in the press – some of which have distorted our activities, and some of which raise legitimate questions for our friends and allies about how these capabilities are employed," the White House said in a statement.
"The president made clear that the United States has begun to review the way that we gather intelligence, so that we properly balance the legitimate security concerns of our citizens and allies with the privacy concerns that all people share. The two presidents agreed that we should continue to discuss these issues in diplomatic channels."
Le Monde said more than 70m French phone calls had been recorded in one 30-day period late last year. Techniques included the automatic recording of conversations from certain numbers, and sweeping up text messages based on keywords. Le Monde warned that the interceptions were likely to have targeted not just those with suspected terrorist links but also people in business and politics.
Earlier on Monday, the French government summoned the US ambassador in Paris, Charles Rivkin. A French official said Rivkin was met by the foreign ministry's chief of staff, who reminded the US "that these types of practices between partners are totally unacceptable, and we must be assured that they are no longer happening". The French demanded that Washington provide a full explanation "and a tangible response to our concerns as soon as possible".
The French prime minister, Jean-Marc Ayrault, said he was shocked, and demanded the US provide "clear answers, justifying the reasons these practices were used, and above all creating the conditions of transparency so these practices can be put to an end".
Before Obama's call, the White House responded to the claims in Le Monde by saying that the US "gathers foreign intelligence of the type gathered by all nations".
Caitlin Hayden, a spokeswoman for the National Security Council at the White House, said: "We've begun to review the way that we gather intelligence, so that we properly balance the legitimate security concerns of our citizens and allies with the privacy concerns that all people share."
The claims were published as John Kerry, the US secretary of state, arrived in Paris for the start of a European tour to discuss the Middle East, especially Syria, Kerry was keen to stress close military and intelligence ties with France, which he recently called the "oldest ally" of the US.
Laurent Fabius, the French foreign minister, is due to meet Kerry on Tuesday to discuss Syria, but a French official said the NSA question would also be raised. Fabius warned: "This sort of practice between partners that invades privacy is totally unacceptable, and we have to make sure, very quickly, that this no longer happens."
Fabius added: "We co-operate in a useful way in the fight against terrorism, but that does not justify everything."
The reports in Le Monde, which were co-written by the outgoing Guardian journalist Glenn Greenwald – who worked with Snowden to lay bare the extent of the NSA's actions – claimed that the NSA recorded 70.3m phone calls in France between 10 December 2012 and 8 January 2013
According to the paper, the documents show that the NSA was allegedly targeting not only terrorist suspects but also politicians, businesspeople and members of the administration under a programme codenamed US-985D. The paper said "French interests" were "targeted on a daily basis".
Le Monde highlighted what it called "techniques used to violate the secrets or simply the private life of French people". The paper said: "The agency has several collection methods. When certain French phone numbers are dialled, a signal is activated that triggers the automatic recording of certain conversations. This surveillance also recovered SMS and content based on keywords."
Such methods, it added, allowed the NSA to keep a systematic record of the history of each target's connections. Le Monde said the unpublished Snowden documents it had seen showed "intrusion, on a vast scale, both into the private space of French citizens as well as into the secrets of major national firms".
The most recent documents cited by Le Monde, dated April 2013, indicated the NSA's interest in email addresses linked to Wanadoo, once part of France Telecom. About 4.5 million people still use wanadoo.fr email addresses in France. Also targeted was Alcatel-Lucent, a French-American telecoms company that employs more than 70,000 people and works in the sensitive sector of equipping communication networks.
One of the documents instructed analysts to draw not only from the electronic surveillance programme, but also from another initiative dubbed Upstream, which allows surveillance on undersea communications cables.
Le Monde said one document it consulted showed that between 8 February and 8 March 2013 the NSA collected, worldwide, 124.8bn telephone data items and 97.1bn computer data items. In Europe, only Germany and the UK exceeded France in terms of the numbers of interceptions.

FYROM: In four years, the number of citizens with Bulgarian citizenships might exceed 25 percent

in FYROM news / by D-Mak / on October 21, 2013

 

In 4 years the number of FYROM’s citizens with Bulgarian citizenship might exceed 25 % of the population according to tourist agencies.
Tourist agencies’ data show that the number of demands for Bulgarian passports has increased by 40% compared to the ones from last year.
FYROM’s city of Prilep might be considered really soon as an emigration city. At least 10 applications for Bulgarian passports are submitted there in daily basis.
Most of FYROM’s young people except from wishing to embrace their real roots in the neighbouring country, they also want to use the right to work in the EU, something that the Bulgarian passport offers.
Thus far, around 100,000 FYROM’s citizens have Bulgarian citizenships. The Bulgarian Foreign Minister Kristian Vigenin recently increased the demands for rights of the Bulgarian minority in FYROM.

Read more http://history-of-macedonia.com/2013/10/21/fyrom-citizens-bulgarian-citizenships/

 

Tirana expects Greek-Italian support for its EU push

Albania is likely to get backing from Athens and Rome in its moves towards EU accession, but the rise of euroscepticism may unravel the whole process, Tirana officials say. EurActiv Greece reports.

In its annual set of progress report last week, the European Commission recommended for the second time the granting of EU candidate status to Albania.
Ilir Meta, speaker in the Albanian parliament, told EurActiv Greece on the sidelines of a conference organised by the Young European Federalists of Albania, a pro-EU think tank, that Tirana counts on the support of Athens and Rome move towards the European Union.
Greece takes on the rotating presidency of the EU on 1 January 2014, followed by Italy on 1 July.
Albania also appears to count on the support of its neighbours in building a major infrastructure project, the Trans-Adriatic Pipeline (TAP), which will bring gas from Azerbaijan, over the Turkish border, and across Greece and Albania, with an offshore section reaching Santa Foca, at the “heel” of the Italian peninsula. [see map].
“We have expectations that the Greek and the Italian presidency will draw attention of the EU to enlargement first of all and in particular for a faster perspective for Albania […] Greece and Italy can be the driving forces and I hope they will work closely on a common agenda during next year”, he said.
Albanian officials hold high hopes of Greek support, particularly during its upcoming EU presidency, which they believe is a great time to push the EU enlargement agenda.
In addition, it is believed that Greek Minister for Foreign Affairs Evangelos Venizelos, who recently visited Tirana, can play a catalytic role.
Greek support
“Mr Evangelos Venizelos is a pro-European politician and has all the necessary special weight to push the European agenda of Albania and take the bilateral relations of Athens and Tirana to a much higher level”, said a government official, under condition of anonymity.
Speaking in the European Parliament Parliament last week, Enlargement Commissioner Štefan Füle for the first time outlined five “fundamentals" underpinning the enlargement process: the rule of law, strengthening economic governance, support for democratic institutions, respect for fundamental rights and ties between the enlargement countries and EU member states.  
Deputy Minister of European affairs Majlind Lazimi said that he held a transparent discussion on issues of mutual interest between Albania and Greece with Venizelos during his visit to Tirana.
“I believe that the mutual interest is not only to solve the bilateral issues […] and the European perspective of Albania should not be mismatched with issues of different nature”, he underlined.
“Greece, being a neighbouring country and a European member state, will be an added value in pushing forward the European agenda of Albania”, continued.
The rise of euroscepticism fears Tirana
Ralf Gjoni, foreign policy adviser to the speaker of the Albanian parliament, said that tension was mounting in Tirana ahead of the European Parliament elections, due to take place in May 2014.
"As we get closer to European elections, we are sadly reminded of the danger of radical forces getting stronger in some countries. This would be a disaster for Europe and a disaster for the Western Balkans”, he stated.
“We know that Europe works, and we should all work hard to fight euroscepticism, to prevent radicals from entering the European Parliament," added.
The president of Young European Federalists in Albania, Vladimir Thano, voiced similar concerns.
“The rise of extremist parties in the European Parliament undoubtedly represents a hindrance in the enlargement of the EU and the further integration itself. The economic crisis has distracted Europe from its principal goals,” Thano said.

New incident in northern Kosovska Mitrovica

Source: Tanjug

KOSOVSKA MITROVICA -- Unidentified individuals threw an explosive device on the balcony of Ninoslav Đerić in northern Kosovska Mitrovica on Saturday.

According to reports, Đerić is a Citizen Initiative Srpska candidate for the municipal assembly.
There were no casualties, but there was some property damage caused to the apartment where Đerić lives with his wife and daughter, according to Tanjug.

The device was most likely a hand grenade. The Kosovo police arrived later to investigate.

Serbia's office for Kosovo has condemned the incident.

"This is another attempt to strike fear into the Serbs, which should stop them from voting in the coming local elections in Kosovo and winning in those elections. It is another provocation in northern Kosovska Mitrovica, happening less than 24 hours after the previous one." the office said.

"Only victory in the elections on November 3 will lead to the establishment of an association of Serb municipalities, which the Serbs will use to decide their fate and that of their children," the office noted.

"Only someone who does not want that and is trying to push Belgrade permanently out of Kosovo is the culprit of this crime... The Serbian people will not give up on taking control of their fate, and Belgrade will be with its people in Kosovo more than ever before," the statement said.

The office "demands that the authorities take this and all the previous incidents very seriously, as well as their potential consequences," Tanjug reported

Action for protected areas
19/10/2013

The Environment Minister, Lefter Koka, declared that 500 illegal constructions will be demolished in 54 protected areas throughout the country.

Koka said that the verification results of illegal constructions showed that they are spread throughout the country, from north to south, including national parks, natural reserves, monuments of nature and areas that have been included by law in the list of protected areas.

The Minister listed some of the protected areas that have been identified as most problematic, such as the Buna River, the natural reserve of Kuna, Patok, the National Park of Butrint, Divjaka, the Llogara National Park and the Pogradec Lake.