Djuric: Serbia condemns Rama’s “Greater Albania pretensions”

Djuric: Serbia condemns Rama’s “Greater Albania pretensions”

By InSerbia with agencies -

Jun 4, 2016

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BELGRADE – Serbia vehemently condemns the territorial pretensions expressed by Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama in Pristina on Friday, says the head of the Serbian government Office for Kosovo-Metohija Marko Djuric.

The governments of Albania and self-proclaimed Kosovo held a joint session in Pristina during which Rama said that “Albania and Kosovo are one country, one nation, one common dream.”
With “Greater Albania pretensions” Rama insulted the Serbian people in  our territory, Djuric told a press conference.

“He has heightened tensions in the region, instead of easing them. Sending a message of reconciliation, a wish for cooperation and regional stability, like Serbia is doing, would have been an incomparably more beneficial move by Rama and his aides,” Djuric said.

Noting that the session was held in the National Library, Djuric urged Rama to pick up a book and find out that Kosovo will never be a part of Albania and that the “dream of a large state and one nation will remain just a dream.”

Washington Urges Albania's Opposition to Approve Reforms

By THE ASSOCIATED PRESSJUNE 3, 2016

 TIRANA, Albania — The United States on Friday increased its pressure on Albania's main opposition party to approve a package of judicial reforms needed to convince the European Union to start membership talks.

Assistant Secretary of State Victoria Nuland told Democratic Party leader Lulzim Basha that the package was "a top priority in U.S.-Albanian relations and for Albania's progress toward the EU," according to a statement from the U.S. embassy in Tirana.

A day earlier, EU's top official for enlargement Johannes Hahn also urged Albania to complete the reforms if it wants to launch full membership talks with the bloc.

Despite regular visits and direct involvement from the U.S. and EU ambassadors, Democrats do not agree with a final draft despite earlier approval. Their votes are needed in the 140-seat Parliament for some constitutional amendments in the package that should be passed by the end of the month to convince Brussels to authorize membership negotiations.

After getting candidate status from Brussels two years ago, Albania, a NATO member since 2009, expects to launch full membership talks this year on the condition that the legal package is approved and implemented.

The EU and the U.S. have helped Tirana draft the reform package. It also has been reviewed and approved by the Venice Commission, as both main political groupings had asked for.

The reform package is considered key to fighting corruption at all levels, especially the judiciary.

Basha and his governing Socialist counterpart, Prime Minister Edi Rama are expected to meet Monday.

In her call to Basha, Nuland urged them to use the meeting "to agree to quick passage of a meaningful and comprehensive judicial reform package," as it is strongly supported among the Albanian people.

Kosovo, Albania in joint cabinets' meeting on EU integration

12:55 AM Saturday Jun 4, 2016

PRISTINA, Kosovo (AP) " Kosovo and Albania have pledged to increase their commercial exchanges as part of moves aimed at one day becoming members of the European Union.

Kosovo and Albania on Friday discussed how to advance the integration process into the bloc by increasing the number of joint projects in economy, energy, finance, environment, education, data and more. during a cabinets' meeting in the Kosovo capital, Pristina.
Albania expects to launch membership talks with Brussels this year, while Kosovo signed a Stabilization and Association Agreement with the bloc last year.
During a cabinets' meeting in Kosovo's capital Pristina, Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama tried to dissipate regional fears that ethnic Albanians would attempt to unify in one state, saying "our dream of national unification is through the EU."

Brussels urges Albania to complete a judicial reform package

 
The Associated Press, Associated Press

TIRANA, Albania (AP) — The European Union is urging Albania to complete a package of judicial reforms if it wants to launch full membership talks with the bloc.
Referencing Albania’s upcoming appearance in soccer’s European Championship in France, the EU’s top official for enlargement Johannes Hahn, said in a statement Tuesday that “the coming days will be decisive whether Albania will advance in the Euro Championship or stays in the group stage.”

The EU and the U.S. have helped Tirana draft the reform package, which is considered key to fighting corruption at all levels, especially the judiciary. Albania’s Parliament is being pressured to pass the judicial reform bill by the end of the month in order to convince Brussels to authorize membership negotiations.

However, there are divisions within Parliament.

The Socialist-led governing coalition of Prime Minister Edi Rama does not have enough votes in the 140-seat Parliament to reach a two-thirds majority needed for some constitutional amendments in the package.

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Despite regular visits from the EU and U.S. ambassadors, the main opposition Democratic Party of Lulzim Basha has resisted giving final approval to the draft.
Hahn urged all parties “to place the interest of their country and citizens above their individual interests and find compromises.”

“A swift adoption of the reform and its consequent implementation is now key,” said Hahn. “This would not only respond to the overwhelming public support in Albania for reforming the justice system but would also signal a clear commitment to European standards and European integration process.”

Albania kicks off its appearance at the European Championship on June 11 against Switzerland. It’s the country’s first appearance in a major football competition.

Οι Αλβανοί αρπάζουν σπίτια από τους Βορειοηπειρώτες

 

Ο φίλος του Ράµα και το resort στη Χειµάρρα

Τετάρτη 1 Ιουνίου 2016

 

Καταπατούν αυθαίρετα εκατοντάδες ιδιοκτησίες µε στόχο να µετατρέψουν την παραθαλάσσια περιοχή-φιλέτο σε αλβανική ριβιέρα - Το ελληνικό υπουργείο Εξωτερικών σφυρίζει αδιάφορα
 
Με διαδικασίες εξπρές η αλβανική κυβέρνηση υλοποιεί µεθοδικά σχέδιο υφαρπαγής ιδιοκτησιών οµογενών της Χειµάρρας, µε στόχο να τις διαθέσει στη συνέχεια σε εγχώριους και ξένους µεγαλοεργολάβους που θέλουν να µετατρέψουν την παραθαλάσσια περιοχή φιλέτο σε... αλβανική ριβιέρα!
Στο πλαίσιο αυτό, κατοικίες και καταστήµατα κατεδαφίζονται ως αυθαίρετα, ενώ ήδη στο χωριό ∆ρυµάδες αφαιρέθηκαν 123 τίτλοι ιδιοκτησίας από αντίστοιχες ελληνικές οικογένειες. Το Κόµµα Ενωση Ανθρωπίνων ∆ικαιωµάτων (ΚΕΑ∆) που εκπροσωπεί την ελληνική εθνική µειονότητα στην Αλβανία χαρακτήρισε «ιδιοκτησιακή γενοκτονία» τις µεθοδεύσεις της κυβέρνησης Ράµα, ζητώντας την παρέµβαση της Ελλάδας, της Ε.Ε. και των διεθνών οργανισµών.
Εως σήµερα δεν υπάρχει καµία επίσηµη αντίδραση από την Ελλάδα και το υπουργείο Εξωτερικών. Ωστόσο, πληροφορίες αναφέρουν ότι ο υπουργός Εξωτερικών Νίκος Κοτζιάς θα επισκεφθεί τα Τίρανα τις επόµενες ηµέρες.
Ερώτηση στον κ. Κοτζιά για τις µεθοδευµένες δηµεύσεις των περιουσιών στην ελληνική µειονότητα κατέθεσε στη Βουλή ο βουλευτής της Ν.∆. Νικήτας Κακλαµάνης, ζητώντας να πληροφορηθεί µε ποιους τρόπους η Αθήνα θα υπερασπιστεί τα δικαιώµατα των εκεί οµογενών.

Κατεδαφίζουν και χαρίζουν!

Από τον περασµένο Ιανουάριο, οπότε και τα Τίρανα χαρακτήρισαν µε νόµο «παραδοσιακούς οικισµούς» τα χωριά ∆ρυµάδες, Βουνό και Παλιά Χειµάρρα, ξεκίνησαν η υφαρπαγή και η καταστροφή ελληνικών περιουσίων που εδώ και χρόνια έχουν µπει στο στόχαστρο ισχυρών επιχειρηµατικών καρτέλ, τα οποία διατηρούν διαύλους επικοινωνίας µε την εκάστοτε αλβανική κυβέρνηση.
Στις αυτοδιοικητικές εκλογές τους 2015 το κυβερνών Σοσιαλιστικό Κόµµα του πρωθυπουργού Εντι Ράµα είχε καταφέρει να επικρατήσει σε µεγάλους δήµους της χώρας µε την υπόσχεση ότι θα νοµιµοποιήσει όλα τα αυθαίρετα κτίρια που κατασκευάστηκαν στη χώρα µετά το 1991 και την πτώση του καθεστώτος Εµβερ Χότζα. Οι ενδιαφερόµενοι κατέθεσαν σχετικούς φακέλους στην Εθνική Επιτροπή Νοµιµοποίησης Αυθαιρέτων, καταβάλλοντας και χρηµατικό τέλος. Τελικά σε όλη την Αλβανία τα αυθαίρετα νοµιµοποιήθηκαν, όχι όµως στη Χειµάρρα, όπου παραµονές του Πάσχα αφαιρέθηκαν τίτλοι ιδιοκτησίας από οµογενείς και ξεκίνησαν παράλληλα κατεδαφίσεις κατοικιών και καταστηµάτων. Οι κατεδαφίσεις πραγµατοποιούνται µε το πρόσχηµα ότι τα ακίνητα είναι αυθαίρετα, στο πλαίσιο υλοποίησης σχεδίου ανάπλασης των περιοχών αυτών υπό τον τίτλο «Ανάπτυξη αλβανικών Αλπεων και παραθαλάσσιων περιοχών του Ιονίου» που χρηµατοδοτείται από την Ευρωπαϊκή Ενωση και την Τράπεζα Ανάπτυξης του Συµβουλίου της Ευρώπης (CEB) που θα διαθέσει το ποσό των 28.700.000 ευρώ. Ουσιαστικά οι καταπατήσεις ελληνικών περιουσιών και οι κατεδαφίσεις γίνονται στο όνοµα ενός project που χρηµατοδοτεί η Ε.Ε. και η Ελλάδα διά της συµµετοχής της στα σχετικά κοινοτικά ταµεία. «Ουδείς γνωρίζει τι προβλέπει το σχέδιο αυτό. ∆εν υπάρχει καµία επίσηµη ενηµέρωση, την ώρα που συνεχίζονται κατεδαφίσεις ακινήτων οµογενών», λέει στο «ΘΕΜΑ» ο πρόεδρος του Παραρτήµατος της Οµόνοιας Χειµάρρας Φρέντης Μπελέρης και προσθέτει: «Οι κολληµένες ιδεοληψίες της ελληνικής κυβέρνησης δίνουν πάτηµα στην Αλβανία η οποία, λόγω και της οικονοµικής κρίσης, έχει αποθρασυνθεί. Η Ελλάδα πρέπει να παρέµβει άµεσα ζητώντας από την αλβανική κυβέρνηση την τήρηση της νοµιµότητας των ιδιοκτησιακών και ανθρωπίνων δικαιωµάτων των Ελλήνων στην περιοχή της Χειµάρρας. ∆υστυχώς µόνο η πρεσβεία των ΗΠΑ στα Τίρανα έχει ζητήσει από τις αλβανικές αρχές ενηµέρωση για το µπαράζ κατεδαφίσεων, αφού κάποια από αυτά τα ακίνητα ή τους τίτλους ιδιοκτησίας που αφαιρέθηκαν ανήκουν σε Ελληνες Χειµαρριώτες µε αµερικανική υπηκοότητα».
Εως σήµερα η λεγόµενη Αστυνοµία Περιβάλλοντος (IKMT), που υπάγεται απευθείας στο γραφείο του Αλβανού πρωθυπουργού, µε την υποστήριξη του στρατού έχει ήδη κατεδαφίσει περισσότερα από 40 κτίρια και καταστήµατα στα χωριά ∆ρυµάδες και Βουνό, ενώ ακολουθεί η Παλιά Χειµάρρα όπου βρίσκεται και το πατρικό σπίτι του Ελληνα Ολυµπιονίκη και πρώην βουλευτή Πύρρου ∆ήµα. Οπως καταγγέλλουν οι οµογενείς, ακόµη και σπίτια 200 και πλέον ετών που προσφάτως ανακατασκευάστηκαν από τους ιδιοκτήτες τους, κατεδαφίστηκαν χωρίς να έχει επιδοθεί προηγουµένως η σχετική απόφαση. «Αυτό γίνεται εσκεµµένα... ∆εν επιδίδουν στους ιδιοκτήτες των ακινήτων σχετικές αποφάσεις κατεδάφισης ώστε αυτοί να µην έχουν το δικαίωµα να κινηθούν νοµικά και να µπλοκάρουν τη διαδικασία. Αυτό γίνεται προκειµένου να µην υπάρχει κανένα απολύτως πρόβληµα µε τη χρηµατοδότηση από την Ευρωπαϊκή Ενωση που σταµατάει αυτόµατα εφόσον υπάρξουν ενστάσεις και κοινωνική αντίδραση», τονίζει ο κ. Μπελέρης.

Υφαρπάζουν και τα κτήµατα

Στις αρχές Απριλίου ο πρωθυπουργός Εντι Ράµα από το χωριό Βουνό της Χειµάρρας δήλωσε ότι οι ελεγκτικές αρχές εντόπισαν 11.000 στρέµµατα µε «παράνοµους» τίτλους ιδιοκτησίας που ήδη δηµοσιοποιήθηκαν. Σύµφωνα µε το himara.gr, πρόκειται για τίτλους ιδιοκτησίας ελληνικών οικογενειών που αντιπροσωπεύουν περίπου τις µισές οικογένειες του παλιού χωριού ∆ρυµάδες, ενώ υπάρχει κίνδυνος ότι η ίδια διαδικασία θα ακολουθηθεί και στα χωριά Γκιλεκάτες, Κοντράκια, Αγιος Ηλίας και Παλάσα. Θα πρέπει να διευκρινιστεί ότι κάθε τίτλος ιδιοκτησίας συµπεριλαµβάνει όλα τα αγροτεµάχια που έχει στην κατοχή της µια οικογένεια, τα οποία κατά περίπτωση µπορεί να είναι από ένα έως δέκα ή και περισσότερα, µε έκταση από 100 έως 10.000 τ.µ. το καθένα. Γίνεται, λοιπόν, αντιληπτό το τεράστιο µέγεθος της συνολικής ακίνητης περιουσίας που επιχειρείται να αφαιρεθεί από αυτές τις οικογένειες οµογενών. Μετά την ακύρωση των τίτλων ιδιοκτησίας, τα ακίνητα αυτά επιστρέφουν στο αλβανικό κράτος το οποίο µπορεί είτε να τα παραχωρήσει στο αλβανικό... ΤΑΙΠΕ∆ για ενδιαφερόµενους επενδυτές, είτε να τα διαθέσει προς αποζηµίωση σε Αλβανούς που είχαν απολέσει τα περιουσιακά τους στοιχεία από το κοµµουνιστικό καθεστώς. Ο δήµαρχος Χειµάρρας Γκέργκι Γκόρο, ο οποίος, όπως αποκάλυψε το «ΘΕΜΑ», διαθέτει και ελληνική ταυτότητα, υλοποιεί µεθοδικά και χωρίς καµία αντίδραση τα σχέδια των Τιράνων για καταπάτηση περιουσιών που ανήκουν σε οµογενείς. Το τελευταίο διάστηµα ο ίδιος έχει δώσει το πράσινο φως για την κατασκευή τριών πολυτελών ξενοδοχειακών συγκροτηµάτων στο ∆ραλέο, στις Γκιλεκάτες και στο Περίβολο ∆ρυµάδων σε εκτάσεις που διεκδικούνται από οµογενείς ως πατρογονικές περιουσίες. Ουσιαστικά το σχέδιο της αλβανικής κυβέρνησης αποσκοπεί ουσιαστικά στην αλλαγή του δηµογραφικού χαρακτήρα της περιοχής µέσω της καταπάτησης ιδιοκτησιών που ανήκουν σε µειονοτικούς. Το ίδιο είχαν πράξει και µετά το 1991 στην πόλη των Αγίων Σαράντα, µετά τη µετανάστευση Βορειοηπειρωτών προς την Ελλάδα, µε αποτέλεσµα σήµερα η πλειονότητα της γης να έχει περάσει σε αλβανικά χέρια.
Το ΚΕΑ∆ και ο πρόεδρός του Ευάγγελος Ντούλες προσέφυγαν ήδη στη ∆ικαιοσύνη καταγγέλλοντας ότι η περιοχή τελεί «υπό την κατοχή των δυνάµεων της εθνικής επιθεώρησης χωροπροστασίας» που επιβλέπει τις κατεδαφίσεις. «Αλλού µε επιλεκτική αναφορά στον νόµο και αλλού στον “παράνοµο”, µαζεύουν χαράτσια, ισοπεδώνουν κτίρια, υφαρπάζουν περιουσίες. Απειλούν σε προσωπικό επίπεδο κάθε οικογένεια και προκαλούν συλλογικό πανικό», σηµειώνει ο κ. Ντούλες. Μειονοτικά στελέχη επισηµαίνουν ακόµα ότι τα αλβανικά δικαστήρια, επωφελούµενα από το γενικώς νοσηρό κλίµα διαφθοράς που χαρακτηρίζει την εκεί ∆ικαιοσύνη, κάτι για το οποίο κατηγορείται ανοιχτά η Αλβανία από διεθνείς οργανισµούς και δυτικές κυβερνήσεις, πολλές φορές τάσσονται προκλητικά µε την πλευρά των καταπατητών, έχοντας ως κριτήριο την εθνική καταγωγή του θιγόµενου.

Ο φίλος του Ράµα και το resort στη Χειµάρρα

Πρόσφατα συνελήφθη ο συνιδιοκτήτης της κατασκευαστικής εταιρείας Eurocol Shpk, Παντελί Καραπούλι, ο οποίος κατηγορείται για επαφές και συναλλαγές µε τον αλβανικό υπόκοσµο. Η εταιρεία του φιλοδοξεί να κατασκευάσει στις ∆ρυµάδες ένα πολυτελές τουριστικό θέρετρο 19.100 τ.µ. µε την ονοµασία «Shkembinjt e Bardhe» (Λευκά Βράχια). Το project έχει την έγκριση της Εθνικής Επιτροπής Πολεοδοµίας και η απόφαση φέρει σύµφωνα µε τα δηµοσιεύµατα και την υπογραφή του πρωθυπουργού Ράµα. Η έκταση όπου πρόκειται να κατασκευαστεί το συγκρότηµα εξοχικών κατοικιών ανήκει σε οµογενείς που έχουν προσφύγει στη ∆ικαιοσύνη, αφού διέθεταν νόµιµο τίτλο ιδιοκτησίας, ωστόσο πλέον είναι στον αέρα µια και συµπεριλαµβάνονται στη λίστα που δηµοσιοποίησαν οι αλβανικές αρχές µε τις 123 οικογένειες από τις ∆ρυµάδες, τους τίτλους ιδιοκτησίας των οποίων οι αλβανικές αρχές τούς ακυρώνουν. Η αντιπολίτευση κατηγόρησε ευθέως ότι ο υπόδικος µεγαλοεργολάβος «έχει πολιτική προστασία από το Σοσιαλιστικό Κόµµα και συνεργάζεται στενά µε τον πρωθυπουργό της Αλβανίας», ενώ εφηµερίδες στα Τίρανα αποκάλυψαν ότι η Eurocol Shpk είναι η εταιρεία που παίρνει τα µεγαλύτερα δηµόσια έργα στη χώρα και έχει κατασκευάσει τη νέα κατοικία του Ράµα στα Τίρανα.

Παναγιώτης Σαββίδης
Το παρόν άρθρο δημοσιεύθηκε στην εφημερίδα
Πρώτο Θέμα την Κυριακή 29 Μαίου

Πηγή: http://www.himara.gr

Albanian mayor quits over past criminal conviction

 
The Associated Press, Associated PressTopics:

TIRANA, Albania (AP) — An Albanian mayor has resigned over his conviction for a brawl in the early 1990s. He’s believed to be the first casualty of a five-month-old law barring people with criminal records from public posts.

Elvis Roshi, the major of Kavaja, said Tuesday he was resigning after discovering that he was convicted following a brawl at a refugee camp in Italy when he was a 16-year-old migrant. He says he wasn’t taken to court at the time and didn’t serve any sentence.

In a separate move later Tuesday, the Central Election Commission fired 18 council members in various cities.

The law passed in December was considered a key tool in fighting corruption, a major obstacle to Albania’s ambitions to join the European Union.

More The Associated Press.

Albania's pending EU membership means UK must be 'vigorous' with asylum, says minister

A CABINET minister today urged officials to be “very vigorous” with asylum claims from Albania after a group of 18 suspected migrants from the eastern European country were rescued off the Kent coast.

By Greg Heffer, Political Reporter

PUBLISHED Expresso: 17:21, Tue, May 31, 2016

GETTY

Tory minister Chris Grayling called for officials to be 'very vigorous' with asylum claims

Chris Grayling, Leader of the House of Commons, called for Albanians reaching Britain to be treated as economic migrants and not handed asylum unless there is an “extremely individual and particular reason”.
The Tory minister, a leading Brexit campaigner, issued the demand following the rescue of 20 people from an inflatable boat that sank in the English Channel on Saturday.
Two British men were among the group saved by the UK Coastguard, which also included two children and a woman.
Border Force staff later removed another boat from a Kent beach as part of their investigation.
The incident has sparked fears Britain’s coastline are being left unpoliced with the UK facing the biggest ever onslaught on people smugglers.

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  Brexit poll surge amid public concern at record levels of EU migration

Downing Street today suggested migrants are attempting to cross the Channel - one of the world’s busiest shipping lanes - in small boats because of improved security measures at the Channel Tunnel and ferry port in Calais, northern France.
Mr Grayling added his support for a zero-tolerance approach to possible asylum claims by arguing Albanians should be treated as economic migrants because their country is an official candidate to join an enlarged EU.
Answering questions after a speech in Westminster on the risks of staying in the EU, the Epsom and Ewell MP said: "I would want us to be very vigorous about any applicant for asylum from Albania.
"Albania is a candidate country of the EU and unless there is an extremely individual and particular reason for granting asylum for someone from Albania then I would want to have an asylum system that treated those people as economic migrants."

I would want us to be very vigorous about any applicant for asylum from Albania.

Cabinet minister Chris Grayling

Ukip leader Nigel Farage has called for all migrants arriving on British shores by boat to be sent back to France.
Highlighting concerns the English Channel could see thousands of migrant deaths as continues to occur in the Mediterranean, Mr Farage said yesterday: “The spectacle of boats crossing the Channel must be avoided.
“If we do not make it absolutely clear, we are likely to find the English Channel becoming a mortuary as economic migrants take to its unpredictable waters in unseaworthy vessels.
"We can all applaud the work done to save lives by the coastguard, RNLI and the border agency in this instance.
“But with thousands of miles of coastline, and severely restricted resources, it would be grossly irresponsible and inhumane if we gave the impression that coming to the UK by boat would lead to asylum or permanent leave to remain.
"We have all seen the horrors of the Mediterranean, with thousands crossing and hundreds dying, we cannot allow that to happen of the shores of Kent and Sussex."

Downing Street has said all asylum applications made by people reaching the UK will be "processed according to the rules" and "the important thing is that we stop people” bidding to enter the UK across the Channel.
A Number 10 spokesman said the increased security at Calais, where thousands of migrants are camped out, had led some to attempt to use "more dangerous routes" to reach the UK.
He said: "We take every necessary action to protect our border security and will continue to do so. The important thing is that our approach is intelligence-based.
“So we have worked with the French government at Calais to secure the border there and since we put security measures in place we have seen a small number of migrants trying to use more dangerous routes to get to the UK."
New maritime powers came into effect today which will make it easier for Border Force officials to patrol the UK's coastline and tackle the smuggling of illegal immigrants into the country.
Border Force officers will have the power to board boats and to arrest people facilitating illegal migration.
Downing Street said additional vessels aimed at protecting Britain’s coastline would become operational in the coming months, but full deployment of the new boats will not take place until the end of next year.Just three Border Force cutter vessels are currently being used to patrol the UK's coastline and help tackle the smuggling of illegal immigrants into the UK.

Border Force, part of the Home Office with responsibility for immigration and customs controls, patrols the UK's 7,000 miles of coastal borders with a fleet of five cutter vessels, three of which are in operation in UK waters at any one time.
Around half a dozen new, smaller patrol vessels are being brought in to help intercept efforts to smuggle dangerous weapons, drugs and migrants into the country, but they will not be fully deployed until the end of 2017.

How Greece Can 'Play the Russian Card' to Achieve its Own Goals

© Sputnik/ Sergei Guneev

Politics

15:07 30.05.2016

The recent visit of Russian President Vladimir Putin to Greece sent a clear signal to the EU that Russian has allies in the bloc, including Athens, one the closest of Moscow’s allies in Europe, a French analyst said.

© Sputnik/ Aleksey Druzhinin

'Religious Diplomacy': This May Be Actual Goal of Vladimir Putin’s Visit to Greece

According to political and defense expert Guillaume Lagane, Athens now can "play the Russian card" in its relations with Brussels. Throughout history Greece has been close to Russia, in religious as well as geopolitical term, Lagan said.
However, after Athens joined the EU and NATO, relations between Russia and Greece declined.
But now a new kind of alliance is forging between the two countries, the analyst told Atlantico.
"Greece cannot rely on financial aid from Russia. Due to the slump in oil prices and Western sanctions, there is a downturn in the Russian economy. Moscow will not replace the IMF for Athens. However with Greece, Russia may have a Trojan horse within the EU. This is why Moscow is not interested in grexit," he explained.
At the same time, Lagane noted, Greece now is sending a message to EU officials that it has allies beyond the bloc.

© Sputnik/ Alexei Druzhinin

A Friend by the Aegean: Putin's Visit to Athens May Indicate Closer Ties

Furthermore, the expert described the Russian strategy of building ties and alliances in Europe, as he sees it. According to Lagane, there are countries in Europe which due to various reasons (historic, economic, or geopolitical) are ready to cooperate with Russia.
As for Greece, they buy Russian gas and military equipment, in addition to common cultural and religious values.
In addition to Greece, among those countries which are in good relations with Russia is Hungary, with Prime Minister Viktor Orban, a close Kremlin ally. There are also influential pro-Russian blocs  in such countries as Slovakia and Italy.

All of the above creates cracks in European "unity" against Russia, including the issue of sanctions, the analyst said.

NATO urged to show stronger resolve on Russia, boost defense

 

NATO's Parliamentary Assembly urged member nations Monday to stand up to Russia's military assertiveness as a senior official vowed to strengthen forces along the alliance's eastern borders.

 

NATO's Parliamentary Assembly President, US Congressman Michael R. Turner speaks at the Spring session urging alliance members to show resolve to Russia's increased military assertiveness and better share the burden of collective defense at the July summit, in Tirana, Monday, May 30, 2016. Some 250 parliamentarians from 28 NATO-member countries and partners have gathered in a three-day session in the Albanian capital, Tirana under tight security measures.  

 

Hektor Pustina AP Photo

 

By LLAZAR SEMINI Associated Press

 

 

 TIRANA, Albania

NATO's Parliamentary Assembly urged member nations Monday to stand up to Russia's military assertiveness as a senior official vowed to strengthen forces along the alliance's eastern borders.
A unanimously approved declaration called on alliance members "to provide reassurance to those allies who feel their security is under threat, focusing on the eastern and southern flanks of the alliance."

The declaration sought to strengthen conventional and nuclear deterrence measures, heighten NATO military preparedness, and boost cooperation with non-NATO members Sweden and Finland. All are expected objectives of the alliance's July 8-9 summit in Warsaw, where Polish leaders already have appealed for stronger NATO deployments in the east.

The assembly president, American lawmaker Michael R. Turner, declared that "Russia's aggressiveness comes with a price" as he appealed to European partners to boost defense spending.
"Moscow has decided that its own interests are better served if it works against us rather than with us," said Turner, a Republican member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Ohio. "The challenge from Russia is real and serious."

NATO Deputy Secretary-General Alexander Vershbow said NATO would maintain dialogue with Russia "but there can be no return to 'business as usual' ... until Russia once again demonstrates respect for international law."

As Vershbow spoke his superior, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, traveled to Warsaw to lay groundwork for two days of talks on the July summit.

Vershbow said NATO members would seek to strengthen the alliance's defense capabilities and logistical support for other allies bordering Russia. He urged members to follow through on previous commitments to increase defense spending to at least 2 percent of national economic output.
"I expect leaders at Warsaw to agree on an enhanced forward presence in the east of the alliance," he said. Such increased military forces would ensure, he said, "that an attack on any ally will be swiftly met by the forces from across the alliance, from both sides of the Atlantic."

Monday's declaration noted, however, that NATO nations also should "continue to explore ways to reduce tensions with Russia and avoid miscalculations and incidents."

About 250 lawmakers from 28 NATO member countries and partners gathered in the Albanian capital, Tirana, amid tight security for the three-day assembly, which concluded Monday.

The lawmakers hailed Montenegro's recent invitation to become a full member and said they hoped eventually to offer membership to Bosnia and Herzegovina, Macedonia and Russian neighbor Georgia.

Read more here: http://www.kentucky.com/news/nation-world/world/article80743867.html#storylink=cpy

Rama interested for a NATO base in Albania

In his speech at the NATO Assembly, Prime Minister Rama offered indirectly to build a military base in Albania. Using the name of Pandeli Majko, the head of the Albanian delegation, said that a military base was a dream for him.

"I hope that this Assembly in Tirana be successful and I specifically thank the chairman of the Albanian delegation Pandeli Majko, who with your arrival here, has realized a very old dream, for which I bear witness. Now it remains to make true another dream, a NATO base "said Rama.

The Albanian Prime Minister also underlined that the involvement of the Balkans in NATO will be in the best interest of the region, and the clearest answer to the geopolitical ambitions of others.

"The NATO accession was historic and determined the new future of Albania. Albania's interest is for Montenegro and Macedonia to be part of NATO too. The integration of Kosovo is indispensable not only for Kosovo and the Balkans, but for the entire northern-Atlantic family", he said.

The Parliament's Speaker, Ilir Meta, said that Albania will remain an active NATO member and that relations should be consolidated, for the security of everyone.

The radicalisation of Kosovo

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Monday 30 May 2016 ABC (view full episode)

 

Image: Kosovo finds itself trying to fend off the threat of radical Islam (Carsten Koall / Getty Images) Link to larger image.

Kosovo has been one of Europe's most pro-American states since the US-led NATO intervention in 1999 helped it break free of Serbian control and gain independence in 2008. But for some time the tide has been turning.

Now, like the rest of Europe, Kosovo finds itself trying to fend off the threat of radical Islam. In the last two years, more than 300 Kosovars, including 28 children, have left Kosovo to join Islamic State in Iraq and Syria; the highest per capita ratio in Europe.

A New York Times report has revealed how Saudi money and influence has radicalised the once-tolerant Muslim country.

https://radio.abc.net.au/programitem/pgwOVk0zp7?play=true

Proto Thema: The Albanian Goverment demolished houses and businesses belongs to the Greeks of Himara Region

EU Delegation in Albania, reply to interest of the Himara Community for damages in Drymades and Vuno of the Himara Region.

As has become known, The Himara Community, has complained to the offices of the Delegation of the European Union in Tirana, regarding the action of the Albanian government for the demolition of the homes of citizens with Greek origin and citizenship in Himara Region.

The last 2 weeks, in the region of Himara, the Albanian public Institutions Such as the National Inspectorate for the Protection of the Territory IKMT (Construction Police), the Albanian Police and the Albanian Army are Destroying about 50 houses and Businesses Belonging to the local Residents of Himara in the village of Drymades, Gjilekates and Vuno.

 According to the information given to the local Residents of Himara by the local Authorities of Himara, the destruction of their houses and Businesses is part of the project financed by the European Union and are Implemented in accordance with this project.

Orban Hears Soros in Clinton’s Critique of Hungarian Democracy

Bloomberg

 

Andras Gergely

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban lashed out against former U.S. President Bill Clinton and the leadership of the Democratic Party, accusing them of being the pawns of a "shadow empire" operated by Hungarian-born billionaire George Soros.

Campaigning for his wife Hillary Clinton last week, the former U.S. president said Poland and Hungary had decided that “democracy is too much trouble,” turning instead toward a “Putin-like” and “authoritarian dictatorship.”

Soros, who has funded pro-democracy groups across eastern Europe since before the end of communism a quarter century ago, has been a frequent target of the Hungarian government, which has also accused him of helping stoke the historic wave of refugees that have poured into Europe since last year. Orban said he approved of remarks by Jaroslaw Kaczynski, the leader of Poland’s ruling Law & Justice party, who said that “if anyone claims that there is no democracy in Poland today, they should undergo medical checks.”

"Hungarians and Poles rightly demand more respect," Orban said in an interview with state-run Kossuth radio on Friday. "Behind the leaders of the Democratic Party we must see George Soros. The mouth is Clinton’s but the voice is of George Soros."

Why Greece is Unlikely to Oppose EU on Extending Anti-Russian Sanctions

© Sputnik/ Alexei Druzhinin

Politics

10:21 29.05.2016

Greece has good relations with Russia and is ready to be a "bridge of friendship and cooperation" between Moscow and the EU. However, due to growing financial difficulties Athens is unlikely to oppose Brussels on prolonging anti-Russian sanctions, Le Figaro reported.

© Sputnik/ Aleksey Druzhinin

'Religious Diplomacy': This May Be Actual Goal of Vladimir Putin’s Visit to Greece

Russian President Vladimir Putin signed several economic cooperation agreements with Greece during his first bilateral visit to an EU country for more than a year. Last time, Putin visited Hungary in February 2015. In June, Brussels is expected to decide on prolonging sanctions against Russia. At the same time, Moscow may extend its food embargo for 2017. The last measure would deal a blow to the European farming industry, an article in the French newspaper Le Figaro read.
Italy and Hungary have already expressed their unwillingness to extend the sanctions. German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier admitted that this time it would be more difficult to make a unanimous decision on the issue. He added that the sanctions may be lifted step by step if progress was made on the Minsk agreements by late-June.

"As for sanctions, this is not our problem. We didn’t impose them. We took responsive measures. As soon as our partners are ready to lift the sanctions we will also remove our embargo," President Putin said.

Despite the fact that Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras has good relations with Putin, Athens is dependent on European creditors and is unlikely to vote against the common EU stance on anti-Russian sanctions, the article read.

© REUTERS/ Alkis Konstantinidis

Russia-EU War of Sanctions Hurts Moscow-Athens Cooperation - Greek PM

However, Tsipras criticized the "vicious circle of sanctions, militarization and rhetoric of the Cold War era" in the European Union. He also said that Greece could be a "bridge of friendship and cooperation" between Russia and the EU as well as between Russia and NATO. In order to overcome the negative effect of sanctions, Russia offered Greece several joint projects. Moscow is interested in privatization of railway company TrainOSE and wants to buy stakes in Greek ports.
Another common point between Moscow and Athens is their relations with Turkey. The issues of military cooperation between Russia and Greece are important considering that Athens has the constant task of restraining Ankara, Russian Presidential Aide Yuri Ushakov said.
In Athens, President Putin said that there is information that Turkey wants to reconcile with Russia. Moscow is ready to resume cooperation but wants concrete steps from Ankara.

"We heard accusations from Turkish authorities, we did not hear apologies. And we did not hear of any readiness to compensate the loss. We hear statements on the willingness to resume [relations]. We also want to resume relations, we did not dismantle them. We have done everything over the decades to take Russian-Turkish relations to an unprecedented level of partnership and friendship. And this friendship between the Russian and Turkish peoples has, in fact, reached a very high level. We valued this greatly," Putin said at a press-conference in Athens.

© Sputnik/ Igor Zarembo

Russia-Greece Black Sea Gas Pipeline May Transit Turkey or Bulgaria

Russia awaits concrete steps by the Turkish side, he added, noting that contacts are being maintained and that Ankara knows what Russia expects. The main Russian-Greece project is a gas pipeline called Poseidon. After South Stream and alter Turkish Stream were cancelled the idea was to lay a pipeline under the Black Sea. The new pipeline may run across Bulgaria, to Greece and Italy.
However, there are reasonable concerns that the pipeline will not be built. Over the last 26 years, Greece has made three failed attempts to become an energy hub for Russia.
"We’re ready to consider any pipeline project, regardless of political environment. But we want preliminary guarantees," Putin said.

Athens responds to Tirana: Cham issue does not exist. Nazi collaborators, they fled from Greece along with occupiers

 

Nikos Kotzias comes in Tirana, seeing even a climate of deteriorating, for violation of the universal rights of the Greeks in Himara Region, abducting properties and are destroying the houses, using "legal space", as voted by the Albanian criminalized Parliament.

SManalysis

Athens sends a clear signal to Tirana , particularly on the eve of the visit of his counterpart Nikos Kotzias in the Albanian capital. Greek media. today cited Greek government officials, to put embargo, any preparation of the Government to discuss the Cham issue. '

"Cham issue does not exist" and "reference repeatedly by the Albanian authorities of a non-existent issue, bilateral relations not only serves". So are the sources said Greek Foreign Ministry commented statements as Albanian Minister Bushati in an interview for "Top Channel", where Albanian diplomat reported this issue as part of the agenda of discussions.

According to the same sources, Greece is the belief that during World War II "Chams who collaborated with the Nazis finally left Greece along with the occupier.

Greek Foreign Minister Kotzias comes in Tirana on 6 and 7 June with a package of proposals that will replace the treaty of friendship between the two countries signed 20 years ago. Greek party aimed at resolving disputes the maritime border, the agreement on graves of Greek soldiers fallen in Albania during World War II, solving the problems of ownership of both sides and respecting the rights of the Greek minority.

Since coming to power of the Alliance for European Albania relations between the two countries have the lowest point, because of the government's position regarding the maritime border left. On this issue the Minister Bushati has prompted an investigation, which so far has not given answers to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs claims.

3-year stint as prime minister Edi Rama has not officially never visited Athens, but formal meetings with former Prime Minister Samaras, Tsipras tables or regional counterpart. Rama was not present neither in the beginning of works for the extension of the TAP pipeline, while Greek media report that it has been invited by Greek Prime Minister to be present at the ceremony. Moreover, Prime Minister Tsipras has twice canceled the scheduled visit to Albania without giving good reasons.

Reassertion the "Cham issue", comes at a time when the majority within the alliance, projected that could lead to the PS - LSI division and in this context, takes the threat of PDIU sense to review the co-governance agreement with the Socialist Party.

The Risk comes from Russia: one of the issues of Foreign Policy of Albania

While other members of the Parliamentary Delegation of NATO gathered in Tirana, demanding that helicopters Albanian army to enter to move operations from NATO, for the Minister of Defense Kodheli, it was more important to emphasize that "Albania has declared that the great risk comes from Russia" than to be part of the NATO troops in operations.

Minister of Defence of Albania, Mimi Kodheli, held as the main theme of her speech in the work of the NATO Assembly, being held in Tirana, the "Russian risk". According to Albanian Minister, the failure of the EU, or even the North Atlantic Alliance in maintaining cohesion, is a threat to peace in the Balkans.

"Failure would mean fragmentation of the unity of the European continent and unfortunately, many who expect this to happen. We should not forget the areas that can easily be affected by international turmoil, due to their instability and weakness. Western Balkans is one of them, relatively far away from Russia and the Middle East, but mainly influenced by money, ideology and fundamentalism Moscow. This region is the crossroads that unites East and West.

At such time, such conflicts can be prevented easily through the integration process, because integration spread stability and security, and provides incentive for aspirant countries to undertake democratic reforms. We all know that the road to EU membership is more complicated for Western Balkans, and this applies to Albania.

Numerous problems are weakening integration dream, but this is why we strongly supported Montenegro's membership in NATO and welcome the signing of the protocol days ago by the Foreign Ministers. Coalition presence in the region is welcome and appreciated. Montenegro will not be the last country to join the alliance, as long as it will be in force Article 10 of the Washington Treaty and national decisions on integration aspirations will be free ", said Kodheli.