TOP Analysis, Prognoses and News about Greek - Albanian Relations and the Region.
Saturday, January 25, 2014
The President of Pan Epirotic Federation, Nicholas Gage meets the New appointed, U.S. Ambassador in Tirana, Donald Lu
Photo: US Ambassador Appointed in Albania Donald Lu
Photo: US Ambassador in Greece, Daniel B. Smith and Mrs. Smith with Greek-American journalist/author Nicholas Gage (left).(State Department Photo)
After several intensive meetings of Nicholas Gage with senior officials of the State Department in Washington, today is developing the next meeting with the U.S. Ambassador, who is expected to come in Tirana, Donald Lu.
The meeting was held reserved for media, while that between Pan Epiriotic Federation of USA, and the State Department, recently been reactivated some geopolitical issues that have remained pending for nearly two decades, especially for self-determination of the status of the Epiriotes in Southern Albania
MOSCOW,
January 25 (RIA Novosti) – A Russian-Chinese naval training exercise in
the Mediterranean Sea began on Saturday involving the Russian
nuclear-powered cruiser Pyotr Veliky and China’s Yancheng frigate,
Russia’s Defense Ministry announced.
The exercise, which began with a gathering of the ships and
accompanying speedboats, is being performed to reinforce co-maneuvering,
air defense collaboration as well as naval helicopter landings on the
different countries’ ships, the ministry’s press service said.
The exercise is focused on “raising the level of operational
compatibility between Russian and Chinese military ships during joint
actions in the eastern part of the Mediterranean Sea,” the ministry
said.
Russian and Chinese military vessels began collaborating in the
region on January 7 to ensure security for transports of Syrian chemical
weapons.
The Albanian Foreign Minister, Ditmir Bushati, attended a meeting with
the head of the Albanian Democratic Party in Macedonia, Menduh Thaci, in
the town of Pogradec. This meeting was based on the priorities of
regional policy, including the intensification of the dialogue with the
Albanian political factor in the region.
One source from the Foreign
Ministry said for Top Channel that Bushati and Thaci shared a series of
views regarding the recent developments in the region and wider.
“The
Radika issue and the dialogue and consultations with the Albanian
factor in Macedonia remains a priority of the Foreign Policy”, Bushati
confirmed.
The implementation of the Ochrid agreement and the
following of the recent developments in Macedonia were in the center of
discussion during this meeting. Bushati declared the rights of the
Albanian people in Macedonia should advance as a factor that defines the
construction of the state, who have a role as a stability factor, and
who have a contribution in the euro-atlantic processes of the country.
Bushati also declared that Albania supports Macedonia’s NATO membership
and the European Union path.
Menduh Thaci congratulated Minister
Bushati for the new duty, and for the initiative and constructive
attention of Tirana for the Albanian people in the region.
Arrested fugitive who escaped Greek prison 25/01/2014
“Do what you want with me, but don’t send me back to Greece”. This was
said by the fugitive Ilir Kupa when arrested by the Tirana Police, 10
months after escaping from a Greek prison.
Ilir Kupa, 27, escaped on
March 2013 from the Trikala prison together with 10 other inmates, three
of whom were killed. Two of them were Marjan Kola and Edison Lika The
Greek police informed the Albanian authorities this summer, saying that
Kupa might have entered Albania together with another fugitive.
One
of the sources said for Top Channel that crime agents and special
forces had been surveilling a suburb area in Tirana, until they found
Ilir Kupa. A police patrol stopped a vehicle with foreign plates, on
which there were three people. Right after this operation, the police
followed the car and blocked all exits.
Kupa’s car went off road
and there has even been some fire exchange with the police. Two other
people left the scene while the police arrested Kupa. Inside the car
there were weapons and masks, which makes the investigators suspect that
it may be the same group that robbed a mall jewelry with Santa Claus
costumes. This suspicion came after the Greek authorities notified for a
robbery with people masked as doctors. The police is offering 10.000
EUR for the other person who has escaped from the Greek prison. His
identify remains unknown, but the information says that he is from the
city of Fier. Anyone who has information may call at 0694102932.
The Interior Minister, Saimir Tahiri, declared the operation for arresting Kupa was successful.
“This is a medal for the police. Several robberies in Tirana will be resolved with the arrest of Kupa”, Tahiri declared.
Friday, January 24, 2014
Fico of Slovakia: The Status for Albania, in June 24/01/2014
Robert Fico, Prime Minister of Slovakia, during his visit in Tirana
offered the unconditioned support of his country for Albania’s European
Integration path and wider.
Fico is the first Slovakian
Prime Minister who visits our country. Together with some ministers of
the cabinet he leads, his conversation with Prime Minister Rama focused
on the help that Albania might profit from the integration processes in
economy and tourism.
In the joint press conference, Rama declared
that Slovakia is an example that needs to be followed for a good
governing and free enterprising.
“Slovakia is a good model for
the integration path. Slovakia is a clear reference for us in the Eu,
and Albania has the good luck to have a determined support from this
country. Albania is committed to intensify the dialogue with Slovakia,
and we have agreed to establish a joint group to identify the areas in
which Slovakia’s experience might help our country”, Rama declared.
“Dear
Prime Minister, the government of the Slovakian Republic offers every
experience that we have profited from the integration process, and we
offer a complete support for the European ambitions of your country,
which are legal and justified. The Slovakian government has supported
your ambitions until December, and I am sorry for the decision that was
taken. This is the reason that we are certain that everything in June
will be where it should have been since last December. We are ready to
help your country, based on the assistance that we offer to several
countries, and establish a team of experts who will spend weeks and
months I your country, who will be available for you, because it is very
important to share our experience. We can hold a business forum in
Bratislava to see the chances that there might be. I must say that the
work done in the first three months of your governing were very
impressive as regards the very good steps that you have taken and that
you need to continue”, Fico declared.
Prime Minister Rama
declared that he hoped that Slovakia would recognize the state of
Kosovo, while his counterpart, when asked by Top Channel about what was
the obstacle for recognizing Kosovo, declared:
“I usually am very
direct to questions, and there is no reason to not do it. For the
moment, Slovakia sees no reason why we should change the stance with
Kosovo. We have welcomed and we support the dialogue of Belgrade with
Prishtina. There is a political stance held by the Slovakian government,
and that is to not take any decision that might make the life of the
people in Kosovo more difficult. We are very elastic with passports, and
we are following the developments. We will be happy to see an agreement
between Belgrade and Prishtina”, Fico underlined.
By Morton Abramowitz, Eric Edelman and Blaise Misztal Whatever his achievements over the past
decade, Turkey’s prime minister, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, is destroying his
country’s parlous democracy. That is a
profound problem for Turks and Turkey’s Western allies. Staying silent,
out of fear that speaking out would harm some short-term interests,
risks Turkey’s longer-term stability. Last month police arrested more than 50
people close to Erdogan’s government — including prominent business
executives and sons of government ministers — on charges of corruption.
While graft has long permeated Turkish governments, these allegations
are unprecedented. They reach high levels of government and involve not
just domestic transgressions but also sizable evasions of Iranian
sanctions. Rather than ensuring a meticulous
examination of these charges, Erdogan is burying them. He has removed
the case’s lead prosecutors and some 3,000 police officers nationwide,
sought to increase government control over a weak judiciary, limited the
ability of police to conduct independent investigations, prevented
journalists from reporting on the case and mounted a media campaign to
destroy his enemies — particularly the followers of powerful religious
leader Fethullah Gulen, who were once his strongest allies. And, as he
did when protests erupted against his government last summer, Erdogan
portrays the events as a massive plot against him. He has also
implicated other opposition parties and foreign powers and even
threatened to expel the U.S. ambassador. These are not the actions of a
politician simply seeking to stave off scandal. Erdogan is exploiting
the allegations to further stifle dissent and strengthen his grip on
Turkey. His tactics are not new. When
challenged, Erdogan has sought to destroy his opponents rather than
compromise. After effectively sidelining the military’s political
influence , Erdogan went after other centers of power: media, business
leaders and civil society; now, the Gulenists, a strong, politically
effective community. The prime minister has exploited crises — whether
real or manufactured — to undermine the rule of law. The protests in Gezi Park last year and
the present scandal are neither isolated domestic disturbances nor
simple political infighting. Their occurrence and the government’s
reaction are symptomatic of a struggle between an increasingly
authoritarian government, which seeks to reduce resistance to its rule,
and opposition movements ranging from secular liberals to conservative
Gulenists. That struggle has entered a new phase.
Turkey has important local elections at the end of March, followed by
presidential and parliamentary campaigns. Erdogan has not yet declared
whether he will seek the presidency or reelection as prime minister, but
he is intent on continuing to run Turkey. These allegations, and his
subsequent actions, could lower his vote tallies; they have given the
opposition parties new life. Turkey’s democratic decline creates a
pressing dilemma for the United States. Erdogan’s current course would
take Turkey from an imperfect democracy to an autocracy. Such a fate for
a close ally and NATO member would have profound implications for our
partnership, the United States’ beleaguered credibility and the
prospects for democracy in the region. It would also threaten Turkey’s
economy. Secretary of State John Kerry, with
Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu in tow, recently made some
modest, generalized public references to U.S. devotion to democracy and
the rule of law while insisting that the United States would stay out of
Turkish domestic politics and rhapsodizing on the bilateral
relationship. Not surprisingly, Davutoglu agreed. Erdogan’s denunciation of supposed U.S.
meddling puts Washington in a difficult position: If the United States
weighs in on the scandal, it might give his accusations merit and rally
more supporters to his side. Yet for much of Erdogan’s rule, the U.S.
approach has been mostly public silence on unfavorable developments,
with occasional private rebukes. As we argued in a recent Bipartisan
Policy Center report, this strategy has not succeeded. It has not
influenced important aspects of Erdogan’s foreign policy, which have
often diverged from U.S. policy; moderated his confrontational rhetoric;
or led to a less antagonistic domestic policy. Indeed, U.S. silence all
these years might have encouraged Erdogan. U.S. policymakers should lay aside their
reluctance to confront the disastrous impact of Erdogan’s dictatorial
tendencies and remind the Turkish leader of the importance the United
States attaches to Turkey’s political stability and democratic vitality.
Particularly as their influence is greater than it appears: While Turks
do not trust the United States, neither do they like to be at odds with
it. Erdogan has exploited Turkey’s
partnership with the United States and his close personal relationship
with President Obama to burnish his legitimacy. U.S. condemnation of his
recent actions — publicly and even more strongly in private — might
temper his posturing. However significant U.S. interests with Turkey
are, neither silence nor platitudes will help halt its political
descent. Erdogan is doing great harm to Turkey’s
democracy. The United States should make clear, privately and publicly,
that his extreme actions and demagoguery are subverting Turkey’s
political institutions and values and endangering the U.S.-Turkey
relationship. Morton Abramowitz and Eric Edelman
are former U.S. ambassadors to Turkey and co-chairs of the Bipartisan
Policy Center’s Turkey Initiative. Blaise Misztal is acting director of
foreign policy at the center. Read more on this topic: Soner Cagaptay:
Turkey seeks to lock in long-term security Soli Özel: The protests in
Turkey won’t be the last The Post’s View: Prime Minister Erdogan’s
strongman tactics in Turkey The Post’s View: Turkey’s power struggles
threaten the nation SOURCE:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/the-united-states-needs-to-tell-turkey-to-change-course/2014/01/23/3525bf52-7eda-11e3-93c1-0e888170b723_print.html
In Albania today, one bunker stands for every four people who live
there. Built during Stalinist Enver Hoxha’s 40-year rule, the more than
700,000 above-ground bunkers dotting the landscape were never used to
defend against attack, as intended. Now, they serve as a stark reminder
of the Hoxha’s dictatorial reign.
Photographer David Galjaard
was working on a series on Cold War bunkers in the Netherlands in 2008
when a fellow journalist told him about the bunkers in Albania. After
some initial research, Galjaard knew he had to travel to Albania to see
the bunkers for himself. “The intention was to find out what the
consequences of these bunkers are for the Albanian landscape, and what
it meant for its people, their collective memory, to be continuously
triggered by these pill boxes, being reminded of their fierce
dictatorial past,” Galjaard said via email.
After Galjaard’s first trip, he knew there was a bigger and more
interesting story to be told than he originally intended. “In October
2009 I went back. During this trip I decided to use the bunkers as a
metaphor for documenting a country in transition. At that point it
became not a story about bunkers, but a story about the history, present
and future of Albania,” Galjaard said.
Galjaard made three trips to Albania over two years and spent more
than four months in the country altogether. Since the bunkers are not
mapped, Galjaard drove in a small van at random hoping to bump into
them. When he got to mountains and beaches, he traveled on foot.
Today, Galjaard said, many of the bunkers are empty or repurposed.
They are used as storage for hay or as animal sheds. Some people have
opened small shops or restaurants in them. One man Galjaard met
transformed a bunker into a tattoo studio. There is even a music festival
that makes use of the bunkers. Many of the bunkers that haven’t been
revitalized have been at the mercy of the elements. Others have been
destroyed for their iron.
Generally, Galjaard said, Albanians have mixed feelings about the
bunkers. Some people would like to keep them as monuments, while others
would like to have them removed because they make it difficult to work
the land. “Most Albanians are not interested in the bunkers. As one of
the poorest countries in Europe they have more urgent matters to worry
about. It’s the future their interested in, not the past,” Galjaard
said.
Foreigners visiting the country, Galjaard said, are often surprised
to learn about the bunkers and delight in picking them out of the
landscape like Easter eggs. Albanians have thought of some interesting ideas
to leverage tourist interest, but Galjaard said there remains room for
innovation. “Once the economy of the country picks up a bit and more
tourists visit, I think Albanians will have a clearer image of the
potential of the bunkers as an touristic attraction. It is time that
they are finally used to benefit the people,” Galjaard said.
Galjaard’s photos are collected in the book Concresco.
Jordan G. Teicher writes about photography for Slate’s Behold blog. Follow him on Twitter.
Pappou Niko's eternal exile
Part two of Dean Kalimniou's
Nikos Syrmos
13 Jan 2014
Dean Kalimniou
At Napoleon Zervas' headquarters, Nikos Syrmos was subjected to a
lengthy interrogation. Zervas wanted to know the exact composition of
the Northern Epirus Liberation Front troops, how they were funded,
details as to its leader, Vasilis Sahinis, and most importantly, their
relationship with the Greek and Albanian communist forces. Nikos was
able to answer these questions in detail, advising Zervas that there
were at least 2000 armed men in the Front, who could provide logistical
support to Zervas EDES troops if they were required. Zervas seemed eager
to consider a proposal of collaboration until something untoward
happened. As Nikos related:
"I told him that though we did not trust the Greek ELAS, because we
considered that they were being hoodwinked by the Albanian communists,
who were more nationalistic than the fascists, we would not assist him
to fight against fellow Greeks. Our main aim was solely to liberate our
country and protect our people. Under no circumstances would we spill
the blood of our own people, communists or otherwise. At this, Zervas
seemed crestfallen. He told me he would have to get in touch with the
High Command in Cairo and obtain orders before he could pledge any
assistance. I was given a pair of army boots and I made my way back to
my village and set about obtaining recruits for the Front.
The second time I was sent to Zervas, he was not at his headquarters and
I was told he was deliberating with EAM representatives. I did not have
enough money to remain in Ioannina to wait for him and I returned home.
A few weeks later, I was sent to Zervas again, as we were being
subjected to extreme pressure by the Albanian communist forces and their
propaganda machine. When I asked Zervas for a commitment he replied:
"Well, I don't really have any need for any more soldiers. But if you
want to spill blood, we can perhaps find a place for you and your men
within our ranks."
I told him that we were not interested in participating in his quarrel
with the Greek communists. The only thing we wanted to do was to
liberate Northern Epirus, something that he manifestly had absolutely no
interest in.
"I do care about Northern Epirus," came Zervas' reply, but there is no other way than this."
"You promised me other things, last time," I told him.
"I promised you nothing," he spat.
Not being able to restrain myself any longer, I called him a liar and a
traitor to his face. He turned purple and calming himself with
difficulty, said softly. "I am not a liar. My hands are tied. The
British have ruled out any sort of liberation campaign in Northern
Epirus. But we need you to supply us with information as to the position
and number of Italian troops in Albania. I know you are a fervent
patriot. Get us this information and then possibly in the future, we can
do something about Northern Epirus."
I left despondent and furious."
Inevitably, Nikos and his fellow front members would see their most
fervent hopes shattered. Having no support either from the still exiled
Greek government or any of the resistance groups, the Front was
powerless to stop the well organised onslaught of the Albanian Communist
party, which, with the help of its Greek counterpart, was telling the
impressionable villagers of Northern Epirus that under their rule, land
would be redistributed, wrongs righted and their minority status would
be respected. During the course of his life, Nikos Syrmos would relate
the many occasions in which members of either the Greek ELAS or the
Albanian Communist party would make contact with them in order to
attempt to force them to join their ranks. In time, members of the
Albanian merchant class, Muslim clerics and landowners would also seek
them out, in order to ask for protection, as it been made known that
these groups were to be liquidated should the Albanian Communist party
come to power.
At this time, representatives of the Front decided to join the communist
party only in specific attacks against the Axis, provided that the
latter will recognise the autonomy of the region in the post-war period.
Although the Albanian communist leaders agreed and assurances of the
British allied mission were given, they secretly marked Vasilis Sahinis
for liquidation. Nikos Syrmos was present during all of the negotiations
that took place between the resistance groups. At one particular
meeting in the city of Argyrokastro, Nikos, who was a delegate for the
Front, after being reassured by the Albanian communists that their
collaboration was underwritten by the Greek ELAS, noticed that no
delegate from that organisation was in attendance. He walked out of the
meeting, which was supposed to launch the united front of all resistance
groups in Albania, causing a mass walkout by all the other Greeks in
attendance. From that moment onwards, Nikos Syrmos was a marked man.
In September 1943 Italy surrendered to the Allies and her place in
Albania was taken by Nazi troops. The Northern Epirus Liberation Front
was to take the initiative for a short period, fighting against combined
armed groups of Germans and Albanian nationalists. The results were
devastating, as the Albanian nationalists engaged in a flurry of looting
and burning Greek villages, shooting the inhabitants by firing squads
and hanging the village priests. Nikos Syrmos witnessed the massacre of
Greeks in Leskoviki at the hands of Albanian fascist collaborator Safet
Butka. It was while the Greeks of Northern Epirus were being subjected
to this vicious bout of ethnic cleansing that the Albanian communists,
who occupied the city of Argyrokastro on 17 November 1943, tortured and
killed the leader of the Northern Epirus Liberation Front, Vasilis
Sahinis.
Question by MP (in prison) Christos Pappas for the issue that how Albania continues to grab the properties of the Greeks of Northern Epirus in Himara region
To: MINISTER FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS OF GREECE
SUBJECT : "Albania still grabs the properties of the Greeks of Himara Region"
According to information derived from the Greek Communities in Northern Epirus, especialy by the Himara organizations and Omonia, Tirana continues the demolition of properties of the Greek Himariotes destructing their building. These actions are aimed at uprooting the Greeks of Himara, and looting their properties by Albanians. With our question, we express our concern about the insecurity grown again Greeks from the Albanian state in the region of Northern Epirus especially in Himara Region.
To ask the Minister Venizelos:
What steps will the Greek government to prevent this selective targeting against Greek origin residents of the area?
How to protect the Greeks and the eternal Greek land of Northern Epirus by the attempted of Albanians, the uprooting of the Greek Himariotes, who are looting their properties?
Athens , 16/01/2014
The questioner MP
Christos Pappas
Member of Parliament
LAIKOY SYNDESMOY - GOLDEN DAWN
Kosovo
and Albania signed an agreement for co-operation and strategic
partnership, enabling the two governments to implement joint political,
socio-economic and cultural policies.
The two countries also signed separate agreements to implement specific
economic, energy and legal, transportation and infrastructure projects
complete with specific deadlines.
The agreements prepare the grounds for both countries to finalise EU
integration, said Klajda Gjosha, European integration minister of
Albania.
"Albania and Kosovo will walk this road together," Gjosha told SETimes.
Next, the governments will meet to develop specific strategies and plans
in the respective fields, Kosovo Prime Minister Hashim Thaci said.
"Relevant ministries will assume responsibility to oversee the
implementation of the decisions taken at the governments' meetings. We
will also create joint commissions in various fields, with special
emphasis on joint economic commissions," Thaci said.
Analysts said both countries' economies will benefit by becoming complementary and competitive.
"The Western Balkans countries should learn from the healthy relations
between Kosovo and Albania that function on the basis of joint interests
and for the benefit of citizens of both countries. Good neighbourhood
policy is a European value and as such it should help the entire region
move forward for good," Abit Hoxha, a senior researcher at the Kosovo
Centre for Security Studies, told SETimes.
Officials said the strategic partnership seeks to facilitate trade,
transportation and infrastructure, but also energy, with special
emphasis on including Kosovo in the Trans-Adriatic Pipeline gas project.
A new energy agreement was reached to build a 110-kilowatt transmission
line as part of an effort to create an energy highway between the two
states, following a similar agreement last month to build a 400-kilowatt
power transmission line.
Officials said they will emphasise efforts to aid Kosovo's participation
in the regional and global initiatives, and will co-ordinate attempts
to gain more diplomatic recognition.
Part of the agreement concerns support for advancing the Belgrade-Pristina dialogue.
The two countries also discussed the possibility of opening joint diplomatic-consular representations.
Officials also said co-operation in the judiciary and in security
matters will focus on intensified exchange of information and
experiences to combat corruption and trafficking.
Another agreement specified delivery of Albania's translated EU
legislation to Kosovo, and creation of a joint technical commission for
translation of EU legislation.
Gjosha said the working groups that will work with Kosovo
representatives to assist in harmonising legislation with that of the EU
have already been established.
"Albania passed this process earlier and has a lot of experience to give," Gjosha said.
Co-operation is welcome but EU integration reforms have to be done
individually by each state, said Enri Hide, a professor at the European
University in Tirana.
"[O]ne of the conditions for EU integration affecting foreign policy is a
having a good neighbourhood and no problems with the neighbours,
something Albania should be proud of, while Kosovo has provided strong
evidence of political will because of the agreement with Serbia," Hide
told SETimes.
EU integration is much higher on the agenda than any other form of joint Kosovo-Albania actions, Hoxha said.
"If one looks at the border mechanisms and other institutional
co-operation, it is all within the European spirit of co-operation,"
Hoxha said.
The two governments also decided to finance the completion of the
Presevo hospital in southern Serbia and supply medical equipment, and to
create a development fund for the Albanians in the Presevo Valley.
"Albania and Kosovo, our two governments, are determined to move ahead
together to exploit all the possibilities," Albania Prime Minister Edi
Rama said.
How will the agreement help both countries integrate into the EU? Share your opinion in the comments space.
Albania, continue the terrorist attacks with bombing telecomande Murder attempt against construction businessman 23/01/2014
A construction businessman from Durres was injured today after his
vehicle blew up in the Durres beach area. The explosion took place while
the car was moving in the Ura e Dajlanit road.
The businessman was alone in the vehicle which was completely destroyed. The businessman was able to come out on time.
Preliminary
investigations showed that the explosion was caused by an explosive
charge placed under the vehicle. Authorities are investigating the
possible conflicts of the businessman.
The victim was sent to the
Durres hospital and then to the Military Hospital in Tirana for
specialized treatment, since he is in serious conditions.
The
Head of the Qender Commune is still at the Military Hospital. His car
also exploded after an explosive blew up in his vehicle a few days ago.
Rama : Berisha has sold the sea to Greece, while he imitates the Albanian nationalist, in the hall of parliament Rama : Berisha is using river waters with neighboring countries to break relations which Macedonia and Greece
Analyst : despite the rapprochement of Greece policies to help Albania to joint European Union, requiring that Greece, reviewing water line crossings, it can not happen
Albanian political opposition, has abandoned the parliament hall, declaring that it would not participate in any collaboration for decision by parliament, thus putting at risk, one of the requirements of the European Union, for the bilateral cooperation between the Albanian government and the opposition.
Meanwhile, in his speech, Prime Minister Edi Rama, has accused former Prime Minister Sali Berisha , for that he has created tensions with neighbors, recently raising issues with neighbors rivers, but forgetting that Berisha has been precisely that of seawaters prayed with Greece.
"Berisha is using river waters to Increase tensions with neighboring Countries to break relations with Macedonia and Greece, appearing "with great nationalist" of Albania, but forgetting that sold through agreement of water marine, Albanian territory, to Greece." declared Edi Rama in Albanian Parliament.
But many of analysts believe otherwise, who point out that the Prime Minister of Tirana, Edi Rama, despite the great help that is giving Greece for the opening of negotiations for European Union of Albania, it is impossible to negotiate a new agreement for the new sharing maritime border with Greece.
Nothing has to change, since U.S. interest to Albanian, does not allow interventions to change the agreement canceled by the Constitutional Court, said an anonymous analyst.
"Chapter 35 on Kosovo cannot open new topics"
Source: Tanjug
BRUSSELS -- The screening for Chapter 35 which is
related to Kosovo was concluded in Brussels on Wednesday, as part of
Serbia's EU accession talks.
(Tanjug, file)
The
chapter did not open new topics in the Belgrade-Priština dialogue,
Serbian Minister without Portfolio in charge of Kosovo and Metohija
Aleksandar Vulin stated as the head of the Serbian delegation in the
talks with officials of the European Commission (EC) and European
External Action Service (EEAS)
“Chapter 35 is not a substitute
for the Brussels dialogue and it does not offer a possibility for
opening new topics,” Vulin stated after over five hours of talks.
He noted that status issues cannot be resolved within Chapter 35 and
that there are no pressures for this to be achieved, and listed the
example of the Wednesday talks on the police which established the steps
carried out in this area and defined the activities that are yet to be
conducted.
Vulin said that the explanatory and bilateral
screening was staged in Brussels on Wednesday at which both sides
presented their respective visions concerning the normalization of the
Belgrade-Priština relations.
“Everything that is set down in the dialogue with Priština will be automatically transferred to Chapter 35,” he underscored.
Vulin noted that Chapter 35 concerning Kosovo is a novelty both for
Serbia and the EU, which means that all problems will have to be
resolved on the fly.
He said that he would like to see the
negotiations on the chapter open in the course of 2014, but he added
that it is uncertain whether this would actually be done.
The
Serbian delegation in the screening of Chapter 35 comprised Serbian
president's advisor Marko Đurić, Secretary General Veljko Odalović and
liaison officer in Priština Dejan Pavićević.
The screening is a
mandatory part of preparations for opening each of the 35 chapters in
the EU accession talks and in Serbia's case, the last chapter marked as
"Other" covers Kosovo, which means that the normalization of relations
with Priština is brought in connection with the negotiations.
Late in 2013, Serbia completed the screening on Chapters 32, 23 and 34
which cover the judiciary, police and public finance control. On
Thursday, the screening will be held concerning Chapter 2 which covers
freedom of labour movement.
After every screening, the European
Commission files the report to member countries on the degree of
adjustment of Serbia's plans to those of the EU and member countries
then decide within the European Council when to open each of the
chapters in the negotiations.
A Pulse RC opinion poll carried out on behalf of the newspaper “TO PONTIKI,” is set to be published tomorrow and gives SYRIZA a clear 3 percent lead over New Democracy. The opinion poll depicts the intention of the Greek voters for January.
In particular, the opinion poll places the major opposition party
first with 23 percent; following in second comes New Democracy with 2o
percent. The Greek neo-Nazi party, Golden Dawn, seems to be stable in
third position with 11 percent. In fourth stands the coalition party
PASOK with 5.5 percent. Right behind PASOK follows the Greek Communist
Party (KKE) with 5 percent. The Independent Greeks Party (ANEL) is
sixth with 4.5 percent. DIMAR has just 2.5 percent and would be
therefore out of Parliament as the threshold needed to be in the
Parliament is 3 percent.
On the issue of who would be most suitable for the position of prime
minister, coalition leader and current Greek Prime Minister Antonis
Samaras has slight lead over SYRIZA’s leader, Alexis Tsipras.
This opinion poll has another interesting aspect, mentions the
newspaper. Those partaking in the poll answered the question of which
coalition government would be most suitable to govern Greece and face
the difficulties of the ongoing economic recession. The respondents,
claiming that a coalition government based mainly on SYRIZA and under
the leadership of Alexis Tsipras, has what it takes to help Greece’s
efforts to thrive again economically.
Greece to announce reward of 4 million euros for information on fugitive terrorists
Associated Press
ATHENS, Greece – Greece's public
order minister says he will announce a reward of about 4 million euros
($5.4 million) for information leading to the capture of fugitive
terrorists.
Nikos Dendias said Wednesday the details
would be announced later in the day. He did not specify how many
fugitives the reward would concern.
Greek
authorities have been conducting a nationwide manhunt since Jan. 7 when
Christodoulos Xiros, a 55-year-old serving six life sentences for
carrying out killings as part of the November 17 group, vanished while
on furlough from prison. He appeared in a video posted on the internet
Monday vowing a return to attacks.
In 2012, a
married couple suspected of belonging to another militant group vanished
following their release from jail after serving the maximum 18 months
in pre-trial detention.
Rama Government, blasting the decision, for concessions in Dhërmi
The "Coastal National Agency" aproved
TIRANA - A concession that would invade beach in Drymades given by Berisha government was abolished during the government meeting today by Prime Minister Edi Rama.
It is about the government's decision Berisha received on August 1, 2012, to take up the use of tourist facilities in Drymades beaches. This project occupied the Drymades beach for more than 2 kilometers.
During today's meeting of the Council of Ministers, is " repealed Nr.591 decision dated 01.08.2012, the Council of Ministers, " On the definition of contracting authority for the development of a concession project areas, beaches in Dhërmi and Perivoll, character resort, panoramic and informative, relevant infrastructure construction and adoption of the bonus in the competitive selection procedure given society " Eurokontakt " sh.pk " . -
The "Coastal National Agency" established which aims to integrate the protection and development of the coast.
Urban Development Minister Englantina Gjermeni announced decision today by the Council of Ministers, adding that the agency will expand its operations across the coast promulgated by the National Territory as an area of national importance.
The Minister also informed that the government has abolished the concession project envisaged to be implemented in coastal areas in Dhërmi and Perivol beaches in fulfillment of priorities to transform Albania into a attractive tourist destination. There are no details on who is the project concessionaire who is repealed.
Albanian translation of the attractive tourist destination and environmental rehabilitation in areas of national importance will be taken necessary legislative interventions evaluated as emergency rehabilitation of these areas by illegal constructions at the expense of citizens , Unveils sources from the Ministry of Tourism and Development urban.
Related:
TheCostalAssociationandtheHimara Community, joint statementabouttheconcessionsintheHimara Region
"Himarais occupied" bygovernment decisionsand concessions approved forbeachesandmassivepurchaseof land
In
a joint statementof
the civil societyofHimara,
The CostalAssociation andtheHimaraCommunity, have accusedthe Albanian governmentthat"is conquering Himara" the
decisions ofthegovernment toissueconcessionsbeachesand territoriesoftheHimaraRegion.
But whilestrongaccusationwas madealsoforthe
reasonthatthis
cooperationhasbeen oftheHimaraMunicipality,which has passedthis decisionoftheHimaraMunicipality manymonths before,without informingthepeopleof Himara.
But besidesthis, theirchargesare in collaboration both the Himara Municipalityfor thethe factthattheAlbaniangovernment, stimulatestheMafiawhobay withfalsedocumentation of propertiesof the peopleofHimara, inparticularithighlightedinDhermiand Palace..
Read
on Albaniannewspaper commentsinrelationtocivilsocietystatementofHimara.
The alleged leader of the notorious November 17 terrorist group,
Alexandros Giotopoulos, on Tuesday blamed authorities over the escape
and/or disappearance of November 17 convicted murderer/terrorist
Christodoulos Xiros. Giotopoulos, who is serving 17 life terms plus 25
years for apparently masterminding 17 murders, a plethora of bombings,
robberies as well as other crimes, said that intelligence agencies such
as Greece's EYP, the CIA and other authorities did nothing to prevent
this from happening.
In a letter, that was published in the Tuesday edition of the
Eleftherotypia paper, Giotopoulos said that authorities did "nothing" to
prevent the escape of Xiros.
"So, all those guys in the counter terrorism unit, EYP (Greek
National Intelligence Service), the government and the CIA didn't know
that Christodoulos had taken six permits (for leave) in 18 months? What
did they do to prevent his disappearance? Nothing," said Giotopoulos.
He claimed that when another convicted member of the group, Vasilis
Tzortzatos, was released on leave, six cars with officers from the
counter terrorism monitored his every move but no such force was
dispatched to shadow Xiros.
Giotopoulos also questioned why Xiros received a prison leave,
especially after setting fire to his cell in 2011. According to the
article in Eleftherotypia, Xiros received permission to visit senior
prison wardens after that incident, as well as members of the Conspiracy
of Fire Cells Conspiracy guerrilla group, and even hardcore criminals.
"Who gave the order? Certainly not not director or the prison
warden. They have no such power, nor would they assume such
responsibility. The order came from above. From the counter terrorism
unit, EYP and, thus, from the government that supervises them," he
stated.
"So let's not try to blame the guards who were simply executing
orders. Those responsible are the ministers who are now howling and
screaming with hypocrisy, while the situation suits them. They've
stopped issuing permits during the short time of the (Greece's EU)
presidency and are preparing to effectively abolish them afterwards."
In the letter, Giotopoulos also questioned why an ghost fingerprint that
was allegedly discovered in a hideout in his partner's home on the
island of Lipsi in 2002 was never matched.
"Twelve years later" he said, "they have found nothing. Which means
that there was no fingerprint. This was a fabrication against me either
by the counter terrorism unit or EYP. And instead of staying quiet,
they are now using the TV channels to show ... that there are fugitive
members N17."
It should be reminded that Xiros failed to return from prison leave
earlier this month. On Monday Xiros reappeared after releasing a
shocking video on (the Soros-backed) Indymedia website, vowing to wage
an armed campaign against those he claims are destroying Greece.
Southeast Europe 2014 outlook: Starting the grand poker game
By Ioannis Michaletos |The re-engineering of the Balkan-Southeastern European and political landscape and the wider global context
Southeast Europe is a vital point within the crossroads of Eurasia,
thus every major geostrategic shift and change of political balances is
eventually felt through the region. Already a number of trends are
becoming noticeable that will mature further in 2014, bringing about
micro-historical changes that will in turn prepare the ground for more
radical changes the years ahead.
The points further down are indicative and speculative on the changes
ahead, starting from regional Balkan affairs of the short term and
stretching out to hypothetical points of global importance. In any case,
they are based on actual developments and the reflections different
state and non-state actors take that in turn shape the decisions of
their adversaries and allies. Tactical moves & trends Serbia-FYROM to have common Embassies-diplomatic representation
The recent announcement seems to lead both countries closer not only
in terms of diplomatic collaboration but also in the fields of
intelligence and high politics. It is also a defensive measure by both
Belgrade and Skopje towards Albanian ambitions. Albanian Balkan communities request unification via different political platforms
This trend is gaining in pace and is being evolved for years now.
There are broadly speaking two centers of gravity. One in Tirana and one
in Pristina vying for the leadership of the Albanian nation. Romania asks for the inclusion of Republic of Moldova into its own territory
The formal recent statements of the President of Romania reflect on
the wider consensus in the country and reveal a long-term political aim,
which now is se on the top of the agenda. Turkey continues in strong pace the “Neo-Ottomanization” of Muslim communities in the Balkans
The process bears the sign of the incumbent Erdogan-AKP
Administration along with the alliance – now broken- with the powerful
Gulen movement. The policy is based on public diplomacy-soft power
structures and comes along with a definite religious and historical
umbrella. Croatian and Serbian communities in Bosnia-Herzegovina closer gradually to the “Motherlands”
It’s a common secret since the mid 90′s and the creation of
Bosnia-Herzegovina state that Serbs and Croats are aligned to the
“motherlands” than to the central government which mostly governs in a
political vacuum. The trend is intensified due to all the aforementioned
trends mentioned that are in essence a preparation for border changes
in the Balkans. Wider tactical moves & trends Political destabilization-neutralization of Turkey
Turkey is steadily becoming a matrix country, with a delicate balance
between seculars/islamists, Westernized/Eastern leaning ones,
Turks/Minorities (Kurds predominantly), added with a vortex of severe
clashes between former political allies (AKP Vs Gullen), a significant
segment of the once all-powerful military-industrial complex in jail or
marginalized and with an expanding young and dynamic middle class. The
different variables within the Turkish society will continue to clash
even more in 2014, while Premier Erdogan autocratic profile is gradually
eradicating due to foreign policy failures (Syria), mistrust (With USA,
Israel and EU) and emerging economic problems. Nevertheless he will
survive at least until the next general elections, amidst a climate of
destabilization that will neutralize the overall dynamics of the Turkish
state. “Clean out” & neutralization of business-political “state-fed
elites” in Greece, Cyprus, FYROM, Kosovo, Albania, Montenegro, Bosnia,
Serbia.
An ongoing process which is accelerating in Greece and will soon
reach in Cyprus, as well as, to the rest of the countries on the door of
EU accession process. “Clean out” & neutralization of radical Salafi Islamists in central Middle East
The epicenter would be Syria and the Aleppo region, along with the central Iraqi terrain “Stabilization” in the Caucasus political establishment
Armenian-Azeri relations are slowly normalizing, whilst Russian-Georgian leaderships are coming closer step by step. “Stabilization” of Israeli-Palestinian conflict
Peace process drags on, but not peace deal on sight. Yet, business
ties grow stronger and stability seems to emerge, even with Gaza strip.
Plane of Syrian delegation delayed in Greece
The delay might force the cancellation of a planned meeting between
Syrian Foreign Minister Walid al-Moualem - who was on the plane - and
United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon. (Reuters)
Staff Writer, Al Arabiya News
Tuesday, 21 January 2014
A plane carrying the Syrian delegation to the Geneva peace talks
was “prevented from refueling” after it landed at Athens airport, the
state television reported.
The delegation’s plane landed at
Athens international airport and was prevented from refueling,” Syrian
television said, adding that all airspace permissions had previously
been granted for the flight.
An official Syrian source confirmed
to report to AFP. “The plane carrying the official Syrian delegation
has been blocked for three hours at Athens airport because the Greek
authorities refuse to provide it with fuel,” the source said.
Greece’s
Foreign Ministry spokesman also confirmed that the plane had been
temporarily detained but had now been cleared for take-off, although
Greek air traffic controllers said the plane was still in Athens.
Greek Foreign Ministry spokesman Konstantinos Koutras told Reuters:
“The issue has been settled, there was a small delay over formalities.”
“Everything is OK, it has been cleared for take-off,” he added, without giving details on the reason for the delay.
The
delay might force the cancellation of a planned meeting between Syrian
Foreign Minister Walid al-Moualem - who was on the plane - and United
Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon, state TV said.
Negotiations between President Bashar al-Assad and opposition figures to
try and end a three-year conflict are due to start on Wednesday in
Switzerland following several days of disarray as world powers bickered
over who would attend.
(With AFP and Reuters)
Serbia starts negotiations to join EU
Source: B92
BRUSSELS -- EC Commission President Jose Manuel
Barroso welcomed in Brussels on Tuesday the Serbian delegation led by
Prime Minister Ivica Dačić.
(Beta/AP)
The delegation has begun negotiations with the EU on the country's future membership in the organization.
The
intergovernmental conference was taking place at the European Council
in Brussels, where Serbia was represented by Dačić, his first deputy,
Aleksandar Vučić, Minister without Portfolio in charge of EU integration
Branko Ružić, and head of the Serbian negotiating team, Tanja Miščević.
EU was represented by Minister of Foreign Affairs of Greece
Evangelos Venizelos, Commissioner for Enlargement Stefan Fule, permanent
representatives of member states and several EU foreign ministers.
This meeting was largely ceremonial.
The negotiating framework of the EU was first be presented during the conference, and then the negotiating platform of Serbia.
During the meeting, which officials said earlier would last from 45 to
60 minutes, Fule presented to Serbian officials the negotiating
framework. The plan, which was approved by top officials of the EU, is
the plan which will be used in negotiations with Serbia in the coming
years.
The plan means that Serbia must implemented
comprehensive reforms in all segments and includes the full
normalization of relations with Kosovo. It is these relations that will
be a key measure of success for Serbia on its path towards EU
membership.
"Entirely new chapter"
European
Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso met eith Serbian Prime
MinisterIvica Dačić and First Deputy Prime Minister Aleksandar Vučić
ahead of the first Intergovernmental Conference.
In a statement
after the meeting, Barroso said that the conference, which opens
Serbia's EU accession negotiations, "is the start of an entirely new
chapter in our relations and a major success," and added:
"I
commend Serbia for its reform efforts and for the progress made over the
past years. The citizens of Serbia have strong European aspirations,
and we will continue to support Serbia to make progress, step by step,
on its European path."
Barroso "expressed appreciation for the
courageous and consistent efforts made by the Serbian government in the
past months in the normalization of relations with Kosovo before and
after the historic April agreement."
He also underlined the
challenges for Serbia ahead on European path in the key areas of rule of
law, including the reform of the judiciary, the fight against
corruption and against organized crime, public administration reform,
independence of key institutions, media freedom, anti-discrimination and
protection of minorities.
Monday, January 20, 2014
Radika River issue: “We will defend our interests” 20/01/2014
The government says that there is no official proposition from Macedonia regarding the deviation of the Radika River.
The Minister of Energy and
Industry, Damian Gjiknuri, declared that if the project damages the
interests of Albania, the government will ask a solution based on
international agreements.
“If the project will affect the
Albanian waters, the solution is provided by the international water
rules. We will wait to see the project from the technical point of view
and if there will be consequences for the assets of our country.
Certainly that the Albanian government will hold a position for
respecting the agreements and the interests of our country. No one
should play politically on this”, Gjiknuri declared.
One day ago,
the Dibra Civil Alliance which is fighting against the deviation of
rivers, protested in front of the Albanian government and asked that our
officials should not sign for the deviation of the Radika river by the
Macedonian side. According to them, the Macedonian project aims the
construction of an aqueduct in the Kosovo-Macedonia-Albania triangle,
and build a hydropower plant in Lukova, but by deviating the Radika
River, which pours in the Drin cascade.
Croat PM: Not right that Serbia negotiates before Albania
Source: Tanjug
ZAGREB -- Croatian Prime Minister Zoran Milanović
has said that it is "not right" that Serbia is starting EU accession
negotiations while Albania is not.
(Tanjug, file)
He promised the latter "help in this process."
"Our
position is that Albania should, as have other countries in the region,
start accession negotiations as soon as possible, and that is also our
position in European bodies," Milanović said, recalling at the same time
that Croatia "has only one vote" there.
"But that voice will
be heard. Moderately, reasonably, but it will be heard," he said at a
joint press conference with Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama, Hina
reported.
Albania had hoped to start EU talks in December 2013,
and since that did not happen, the country believes this will take
place in June, which the Croatian prime minister thinks is "realistic."
"Of course, in politics, you cannot always be guided only by rational
criteria, unfortunately that's how it is, but if a country is a member
of NATO, this means that it at least has the army as part of the state
apparatus which is in accordance with high international standards.,"
Milanović said, and added:
"Therefore, it deserves to have a chance to at least negotiate membership in the EU."
"We will oppose prejudice," he continued, and said that European
policies "are often under pressure from regional ethnic prejudices."
"We will strongly oppose it, because we ourselves have been exposed to such an approach," Milanović was quoted as saying.
Rama agreed that "prejudice is the problem."
"Prejudice is the reason why we were not given (EU) candidate status in
December, but the process of reform, modernization and convergence with
the EU has no alternative. We are thus becoming a better country and
our people will live better. Regardless of whether it happens in June or
later, we will continue the changes as they are good," he said.
Rama said that Croatia's EU accession and the Brussels agreement
between Belgrade and Priština were "the two most important events of
last year," which, he believes "indicate that gradually cooperation
across the region is taking place."
Greek-American George Stephanopoulos First to Interview Putin
By Konstantinos Menzel on January 17, 2014 in Celebrities, Interviews
Greek-American George Stephanopoulos after his interview with Russian president Vladimir Putin
Greek-American ABC News journalist George Stephanopoulos is the first U.S. broadcaster to have a sit-down with Russian president Vladimir Putin in the run-up to next month’s Winter Olympics in Sochi.
The host of “Good Morning America” and “This Week” have been trying for a long time now in collaboration with ABC, to secure an interview with the Russian president. It is noted that Stephanopoulos is the first American TV journalist to interview Putin in almost a decade.
On Friday morning, the Greek-American broadcaster revealed more information about his conversation with the Russian head-of-state, mentioning that the two men went over the issues of terror threats and the country’s controversial anti-gay laws, while even talking about NSA leaker Edward Snowden.
“Putin was very confident that the terrorists are not going to succeed in striking here. He was also dismissive of allegations of corruption here and absolutely defiant when it came to the issue of gay rights and the international protests, including in the United States, against the anti-gay propaganda law here in Russia right now,” Stephanopoulos explained.
The ABC network managed with this interview, to beat rival network NBC, who is televising the Olympics in the U.S. and has openly stated that it is seeking to interview Putin during the Sochi Winter Olympics. Last week, NBC’s main Olympic host, Greek-American sportscaster Bob Costas said, “if Putin doesn’t drag his butt into the studio, then we’ll talk about it without him.”
“But if he shows up, we’d rather talk to him,” Costas added. “Wouldn’t you rather hear it from the horse’s mouth? I would.” - See more at: http://usa.greekreporter.com/2014/01/17/greek-american-george-stephanopoulos-first-to-interview-putin/#sthash.AEpzTMja.dpuf
Escaped Greek terrorist vows to fight govt
By ELENA BECATOROS
Associated Press
ATHENS, Greece --
A Greek fugitive who vanished on furlough from prison while
serving six life sentences for left-wing bombings and shootings has
vowed a return to armed action.
Christodoulos Xiros, 55, was
convicted in 2003, along with two of his brothers, of belonging to the
November 17 organization. The group emerged in the mid-1970s and claimed
responsibility for a series of deadly attacks against foreign diplomats
and Greek politicians and businessmen over nearly three decades.
He vanished Jan. 7 while on a seven-day leave from prison to visit his family.
In a video posted Monday on the Internet, Xiros read a seven-page
statement. It was accompanied by an apparently recent photo of him in
front of pictures 19th-century Greek resistance fighters and Latin
American rebel Che Guevara. A text version of the statement was included
in the posting.
"I once again decided to make the guerrilla rifle
thunder against those who stole our lives and sold our dreams to make a
profit," Xiros says in the statement, which rails against how Greece's
financial crisis was handled.
He criticizes the media, the
judiciary, the police and the extreme right-wing Golden Dawn party, and
invites Greece's security forces to join with him. The statement
reserves particular bile for the two parties in Greece's governing
coalition, the conservative New Democracy and the socialist Pasok,
accusing them of treason and stating that the "price of their treason is
death."
In extensive references to the financial crisis, he
claims that Greece and other European countries have become colonies
under "German occupation." Germany is the single largest contributor
toward international rescue loans that Greece has been relying on for
years.
"If we ever meet again, which I don't hope (and neither
should you) you will do well to kill me. Because if you take me captive
again, I will leave again to fight you to the end," Xiros said in the
statement.
November 17, which mixed Marxist ideology with
nationalism, killed 23 people — including British, American and Turkish
diplomats and military officials — before being broken up after a string
of arrests in 2002.
Read more here: http://www.miamiherald.com/2014/01/20/3881851/escaped-greek-terrorist-purportedly.html#storylink=cpy
Vlora:Bomb explodesincar,seriouslyinjuredthe chairman of themunicipality,Narta FredoBerberi,was sent tohospitalinTirana, the situationoutside theriskto life
The explosionoccurredinthe centerofVlora,while thecarwasbeingdrivingbyBerberi,inthe main boulevardinVlora.
