Κιλιτσντάρογλου: Θα πάρω τα νησιά όπως ο Ετζεβίτ την Κύπρο

Δεκέμβριος 23, 2017. Echedoros
 
To 2019 θα πάει να πάρει τα 18 νησιά της Ελλάδας όπως έκανε ο πρώην Τούρκος Πρωθυπουργός Μπουλέντ Ετζεβίτ με την Κύπρο, απείλησε ο ηγέτης της αξιωματικής αντιπολίτευσης της Τουρκίας, Κεμάλ Κιλιτσντάρογλου απαντώντας στο «Μολών Λαβέ» του Έλληνα ΥΠΕΞ, Πάνου Καμένου.

«Η Ελλάδα έχει καταλάβει 18 νησιά του Αιγαίου, συν μία βραχονησίδα.

Ο Έλληνας Υπουργός Άμυνας μου απάντησε «Έλα και πάρτα» (μολών λαβέ). Θα έρθω το 2019 και θα πάρω όλα αυτά τα νησιά.

Γιατί το λέω, ξέρετε;

Αυτά τα έλεγαν μία περίοδο και για την Κύπρο, «Μολών λαβέ».

 Και ο αείμνηστος Ετζεβίτ τι έκανε;

Πήγε και την πήρε», δήλωσε ο Κιλιτσντάρογλου.

Ζόραν Ζάεφ: Τα Σκόπια δεν είναι μοναδικός διάδοχος του Μεγάλου Αλεξάνδρου

Δεκέμβριος  23, 2017Echedoros

Ο πρωθυπουργός των Σκοπίων, Ζόραν Ζάεφ, δήλωσε ότι είναι έτοιμος να παραιτηθεί από τους ισχυρισμούς ότι η χώρα του έχει το μοναδικό ‘δικαίωμα στην κληρονομιά του Μεγάλου


Αλεξάνδρου’, για να βοηθήσει στην επίλυση της 26χρονης διαμάχης με τη γειτονική Ελλάδα σχετικά με το θέμα της ονομασίας της χώρας, σημειώνει η ιστοσελίδα της σερβικής ραδιοτηλεόρασης.


«Υποχωρώ (στους ισχυρισμούς) ότι η πΓΔΜ είναι η μοναδική διάδοχος του Αλεξάνδρου. Η ιστορία δεν ανήκει μόνο σε εμάς, αλλά και στην Ελλάδα και σε πολλές άλλες χώρες», ανέφερε ο Ζάεφ σε τηλεοπτική συνέντευξη την Παρασκευή το απόγευμα.


Από τη στιγμή που απέκτησε την ανεξαρτησία της από τη Γιουγκοσλαβία το 1991, γράφει το δημοσίευμα, η πΓΔΜ ισχυρίζονταν ότι είναι τουλάχιστον μέρος της κληρονομιάς του πιο διάσημου βασιλιά της αρχαίας Μακεδονίας,  μια στάση η οποία προκάλεσε τους Έλληνες καθώς  έβλεπαν ότι στο όνομα της ‘Μακεδονίας’ υπήρχαν κρυμμένες προσδοκίες για την περιοχή της Μακεδονίας στη βόρεια Ελλάδα.


Ως απάντηση, η Ελλάδα, άσκησε βέτο στην ένταξη των Σκοπίων στο ΝΑΤΟ.


Μάλιστα, σήμερα ο αναπληρωτής υφυπουργός Εξωτερικών των ΗΠΑ, Μπράιν Χόιτ Γι, δήλωσε ότι η Αθήνα και τα Σκόπια έχουν τις καλύτερες ευκαιρίες να επιλύσουν το ζήτημα της ονομασίας μέσα στο 2018.


(Στοιχεία από rts.rs)

Turkish FM: We’ll Take Back Aegean Islands through Diplomacy or War

By Philip Chrysopoulos - Dec 20, 2017

Greek Reporter

Turkey will seek a diplomatic solution, go to the International Court or go to war to take back some Aegean islands, said Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu, while addressing the Turkish parliament.

Ant1 television correspondent to Turkey, Maria Zacharaki, said that there was a confrontation in Turkish parliament between the ruling party (AKP), and the main opposition regarding the issue of certain Greek islands in the Aegean, that Ankara claims belong to Turkey.

During his speech, Cavusoglu said that Turkey has three options: Try to work out a diplomatic solution with Greece, take the issue to the International Court, or send the Turkish army to claim said islands.

Referring to Imia, Cavusoglu said it is a national issue and that AKP is not responsible for what happened in 1996, because they were not the government then. The Turkish minister claimed that Imia was “occupied” by the Greeks, according to the report.

“We continue our diplomatic talks with Greece. If we do not agree, the parliament will decide on the alternatives and we will apply them. But this is a national policy. This is not an issue that will be discussed in the corridors. We established a team of military personnel at the Ministry of National Defense. We discussed the problem and the steps we can take. Is it more beneficial to reduce tension or increase it?” Cavusoglu said.

The UN vote and Albania’s destiny in this battlefield

Publikuar më: 22-12-2017, AFP


By Plator Nesturi

The voting of the UN of a resolution which condemns the decision of president Trump to recognize Jerusalem as Israel’s capital, has seriously stirred world diplomacy. Politicians and analysts are divided over this issue and the consequences that Washington’s move could have in the upcoming developments in the Middle East and beyond. But, besides analysis and different viewpoints on the recognition of Israel as the capital, which is a pledge made by three previous US presidents, the issue now relates to the official stances that states will held, because the battle is now taking place in the UN’s seat, where the anti-Trump resolution on the status of Jerusalem was discussed. This is no longer a matter of declarations and stances now. The states decided whether they were in favor  of the USA’s decision or in convergence with it.

The US ambassador in the UN was very clear in her declaration about the voting. “The USA will take note of all those countries which will  back a resolution which is against the interests of the US”. Her stance was clear and it acts as a warning even for countries which, although they have strategic relations with the US, they flirt with other countries .

What interests us in this clash taking place in the UN is what it’s going to be for Albania after this battlefield, because the vote that was given not only showed Albania’s stance on this issue, but it will also rank it alongside forces which are measuring with each other.

According to the statement made by the ministry of Foreign Affairs, Albania’s stance will be in line with the stance of the European Union.  In principle, this will be in line with the declarations made by the EU most senior officials, who have expressed their skepticism, because there are no two Jerusalems, but only one and that its status as capital would hinder the peace process between Israelis and Palestinians. However, despite the Union’s stance, it’s clear that in the UN, Europe didn’t vote like a single unit, but each country voted in an independent manner. And this vote has prompted debates in the respective countries.

Meanwhile, on the other hand, in the Islamic Organization, things are clear. The decision of president Trump for the recognition of Jerusalem as capital has been condemned. The most involved personality in the stance of the Islamic world is Turkish president Erdogan, who, for more than a year now has been critical against the USA, shaking the strategic relations that these two countries have had for decades. Albania has participated in the last conference of the Islamic Organization as a member country of this forum, where it came out with a truly aggressive statement against the decision of the US. In this statement, there are no footnotes specifying Albania’s individual stance regarding the decision taken by the Islamic countries. Now, between the US, EU and Islamic countries, Albania says that it is in line with the EU’s moderate stance. Nevertheless, Albania is against the decision of the US.

But, how will this vote impact Albania and its foreign policy? Its vote against will not have a good impact on the future relations between USA and Albania, but, on the other hand, it will be praised by Erdogan and the Islamic countries. As far as the EU is concerned, the decision does not have any impact on world politics, but only on regional ones, where Albania must only serve uphold stability. What’s more, our country is not an EU member country obliged to rank itself alongside the Union’s actions. It looks like this vote will only cause damages. Let us recall that Kosovo has asked the USA to be part of the process of talks with Serbia, while Serbia has demanded Russia. But, if the support of the US is requested while the country flirts with Erdogan for the vote in the UN, this does nothing else but damages us as a country which acts based on pragmatism and doesn’t know how to tie its political fate with countries which have invested for the stability of this country.

Albania: Operation Alba and the memories of Romano Prodi

The Albanian civil war of 1997 was ended by an Italian-led international contingent. Twenty years after Operation Alba, the Prime Minister who promoted it has returned to the Land of the Eagles. An interview



19/12/2017 -  Nicola Pedrazzi

What role did the international community play in Albania's democratic transition? This was the key question at the heart of the international conference organised last December 6th in Tirana by the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), that celebrated the twentieth anniversary of the end of the civil war and the opening of the Osce mission in the country. The guest of honour was Romano Prodi who, as Prime Minister, at the height of the so-called "Albanian anarchy", put Italy in charge of an international mission authorised by the UN  , sending 3,000 soldiers over the Adriatic. We interviewed him on his return to Bologna.

Professor, today everyone celebrates Operation Alba as an Italian success. But let's go back to 1997: in January, the pyramidal financial schemes crumbled and thousands of Albanian families lost their savings; in March, armories were taken over by ordinary citizens and criminal gangs, the south of the country was out of control, and President Berisha declared the state of emergency. On March 28th, 16 days before your government launched the mission, in the Strait of Otranto, a corvette of the Italian coastguard rammed the Katër i Radës  , a wreck loaded with refugees fleeing Albania – over 80 people died, including women and children. Operation Alba was a flash-success if seen with hindsight, but at the time the context was dramatic...

I personally attended the funerals of the victims of the Katër i Radës, to express our closeness to the Albanians and make it clear that it had been a terrible accident. I remember a huge crowd, a huge pain. I keep a harrowing memory of that day, but as a representative of Italy it was right and responsible to be in Tirana; I believe that the Albanians understood it, because I did not feel resentment. As for the Italian intervention, the specificity of the mission was that it was fast – it lasted from April to August – and it was completed just on schedule. I remember the great satisfaction of Jacques Chirac, who told me that in his life he had never seen an international mission end on schedule. We had agreed a deadline with the United Nations and the international community, but I have to say that there was some doubt as to whether Italy would be able to carry out a mission of this kind. Initially, the path was not easy precisely because our partners tended to pull back – many countries were just not interested in Albania. The French gave a significant contribution, with the others I must say that it was a struggle. I would say that the multinational mission was possible thanks to the Italian-French cooperation.

There were political issues at home too. The far left, Rifondazione Comunista, opposed the mission and threatened a crisis of government; support was sought from the right wing, but the migratory question and the tragedy of the Katër i Radës were particularly instrumentalised.

When making decisions, confrontation and political conflict are inevitable. But even then, it was clear to everyone that there was no misunderstanding on the part of the government: the mission was a contingent aid, at a time of emergency, which was known to be necessary for the material and political future of Albania, and at the same time in the interest of Italy. And so it was: we managed to avoid the prolongation of an actual civil war and, even from the logistical point of view, the mission was exemplary – there were no clashes or injuries. Italy was effective because it was aware of its responsibilities in the Mediterranean, as happened later, with the Lebanese mission. In my opinion, also the Leonte operation has saved and guaranteed peace in a very delicate area of our sea. The difference is that this mission has not ended yet.

On April 14th, 1997, the day after the launch of Operation Alba, you went to Albania. But you chose to land by helicopter in Vlora, the capital of the south in revolt, and only afterwards you went to Tirana, to talk with Sali Berisha. Given the conditions of the country, didn't this decision raise military perplexities?

Many. Yet, despite the helicopters and the protection logistics, mine was not a military expedition, it was a political visit. The visit of a government that had a precise strategy to support Albania, also in Italy's interest. To be sure, there was tension in the air. To give a speech in Vlora, outdoors, in front of a square full of people  , some of them armed... I remember that UN secretary Kofi Annan told my wife: "Your husband has had a lion's courage". Well, it was not courage, maybe recklessness, but in the service and awareness of the political moment. I have never met only the leaders of one party. For me, this rule still applies today. Last week in Tirana I met the President of the Republic Ilir Meta, I met Bashkim Fino and other socialist figures, and I met Sali Berisha and other opposition figures. Prime Minister Rama was in Brussels, but I wanted to meet both the left and the right anyway, as I consider it fundamental to respect a country's domestic politics – especially if your goal is pacification. I must say that, both yesterday and today, not all allies do the same.

What was the political climate like in 1997? Did you have different conversations with socialist Fino in Vlora and with democrat Berisha in Tirana?

In such dramatic situations, you don't make political plans. You give warnings, you appeal to reason, you try to convey the sense of the emergency, to make sure that your interlocutors know that they are not alone, that there is an international community that looks at them, respects them, and which they belong in, you agree on the minimum intent... At that juncture my government was interested in reaching a general agreement in the country in order to start the mission. The goal was to build a different future for the Albanians, on this goal there could be no difference in the relations with political sides. The drama was so obvious, the evidence of the facts called to responsibility.

Time, in my opinion combined with strategic negligence, has weakened Italy's relevance in Albania. What do you think of current bilateral relations?

Italy's direct responsibility was supported by actions after 1997: investments, serious political relations, and – I have to say – no invasive attitude, like other countries would have had. When, in summer 1997, there were the political elections, I forbade any Italian politician to do electoral campaign in Albania, as I wanted to avoid interfering in the country's political life. On this basis of respect and non-interference, we have created a very strong relationship of friendship and shared interests, with significant investment flows and trade. Of course, over the years, the Italian influence – or rather attention, as I do not like the word "influence" – on Albania has been gradually loosened up. I speak first of all of political attention, as the economic relations remain. Last week in Tirana, I reiterated that we must hasten the process of rapprochement with the European Union: a process that unites all the countries of the Western Balkans and which is bigger than the single bilateral relations. The debate on the borders of today's Europe is simpler than it was when I led the Commission, because the Turkish agenda has been postponed, if not completely erased. It can be a more serene and peaceful debate, which sees enlargement to the Western Balkans as its natural strategic outlet. Italy's task is to facilitate the journey of its Balkan partners towards the EU.

In recent years, Erdoğan's Turkey has radically changed its foreign policy and, also in Albania, it proposes itself as a power alternative to Europe. While you were in Tirana, Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama said that, if European politicians slow down on enlargement, Turkey, Russia, and China will be able to offer better prospects to the countries of the area.

The Balkans can certainly look to the East, but I do not think it would be convenient for them. Good relations with Turkey are fine for everyone, but a Turkish-Albanian political union looks like a bit of a dream to me. Relations with China are also important and positive, but within certain limits – they must not divide Europe. Rama's statements would be news if they were actively followed up on. But I do not see realistic non-European scenarios for Albania, nor do I believe that the Albanian citizens see them. That said, of course, Turkey is a great country and has a huge influence in Albania, that it also exerts through religion – a tool that should be used very carefully, as religion as an identifying factor can become a divisive element and escape from our hands. But I think Albania is an European country and I think that Albanians consider themselves Europeans, period. On the long-term objectives, I think there is clarity. The rest are small things...

Twenty years later, events get historicised. What is your memory of the leaders of that time? What did you say to Fino and Berisha?

Nothing, like twenty years ago we talked about the future. Today's economy, the expansion of the city of Tirana, the needs of the Albanians. We did not speak for one minute about Operation Alba. It is certainly a pleasure for me to return to the country and see the changes. Compared to twenty years ago it is another world, and having helped to create another world is a source of satisfaction. I am always happy to return to Albania; I have come back several times, to give lectures at the university, but also as a simple tourist. Seeing all those young students is uplifting. Then, we know very well that problems exist. But I would say that a radical change has happened and is visible.

Ρωσία-Τουρκία: Παράδοση των S-400 τέλη 2019 αρχές 2020

«Δήλωση από τη Ρωσία για τους S-400 , όλα τα εμπόδια απαλείφτηκαν»


Δεκέμβριος 21, 2017. Echedoros


Ο τεχνικός στρατιωτικός σύμβουλος του Ρώσου προέδρου Πούτιν, ο Βλαντίμιρ Κογίν, αναφερόμενος στην παράδοση των συστημάτων πυραυλικής άμυνας S-400,  δήλωσε ότι ήρθησαν όλα τα εμπόδια και η παράδοση προβλέπεται να αρχίσει στα τέλη του 2019 με αρχές του 2020.


Ο Κογίν σε δηλώσεις του προς τους δημοσιογράφους, στην πρωτεύουσα της Ρωσίας, Μόσχα,  διευκρίνισε ότι  η συμφωνία παράδοσης  για τους S-400 θα μπορούσε να υπογραφεί μεταξύ της Τουρκίας και της Ρωσίας μέσα στις ερχόμενες ημέρες.


 Ο ίδιος, για την παράδοση των συστημάτων τόνισε ότι λύθηκαν όλα τα  θέματα με την Τουρκία:
 «Η Τουρκία και η Ρωσία έχουν αναπτύξει ένα σύστημα πληρωμών επάνω σε ένα κοινό πλάνο. Προβλέπουμε την παράδοση του συστήματος στα τέλη του 2019 με αρχές του 2020, είπε.


Ο πρόεδρος Ρετζέπ Ταγίπ Ερντογάν κατά της συνάντηση που είχε με τον Πούτιν στην Άγκυρα πριν από μερικές ημέρες ανακοίνωσε ότι η συμφωνία για τους S-400 θα υπογραφεί σε σύντομο χρονικό διάστημα.


(Στοιχεία από milliyet.com.tr)

Pesë ambasadorë në zyrën e Bashës, ja çfarë u diskutua

       
Pesë ambasadorëve të vendeve të Bashkimit Europian në Tiranë kanë qenë sot në një takim në selinë e PD, me kryetarin Lulzim Basha. Në një njoftim për mediat, partia më e madhe opozitare në vend bën të ditur se Basha u ka shprehur ambasadorëve shqetësimin e madh për kapjen e sistemit të drejtësisë nga Kryeministri Rama. Ai ka theksuar se opozita nuk ndalet në misionin e saj dhe do të nisë valën e protestave në Janar.

Në takim ishin ambasdorët e Gjermanisë, Francës, Austrisë, Italisë dhe Greqisë. Bashau ka thënë ambasadorëve se Kryeministri ka shkatërruar proçesin politik në vend dhe po prodhon një krizë destablizuese për vendin.

Deklarata e plotë PD-së

Tre hapat e puçit kushtetues janë, vonesa e qëllimshme për mosngritjen e Këshillit të Lartë të Prokurorisë, uzurpimi i kompetencave të KLP-së nga Parlamenti, zgjedhja e një Prokurori të Përgjithshëm me shumicë të thjeshtë dhe pa kaluar vetingun.

Zoti Basha pohoi se të gjitha këto veprime kanë qenë të paramenduara dhe të planifikuara nga Edi Rama për të zgjedhur një kryeprokuror që kontrollohet plotësisht prej tij, me qëllim shkatërrimin e hetimeve për dosjet kriminale të Saimir Tahirit, Vangjush Dakos dhe politikanëve të tjerë të lidhur direkt me vetë Ramën.

Kryetari i PD tha se opozita ka faktuar me vepra dhe jo me fjalë se ka mbështetur dhe do të vazhdojë të mbështesë procesin e integrimit europian, përfshirë edhe çeljen e negociatave të anëtarësimit, por zoti Basha theksoi se proçesi është plotësisht në dorën e qeverisë, e cila duhet të përmbushë 5 prioritetet, që nuk varen aspak nga opozita.

Kryetari Basha theksoi se interesat e shqiptarëve dhe të Bashkimit Europian, shërbehen vetëm duke dënuar kthimin e Shqipërisë në një vend të drogës dhe krimit, duke mos toleruar lidhjet e qeveritarëve me drogën dhe krimin dhe duke kërkuar nxjerrjen para drejtësisë të tyre.

Kryetari i Partisë Demokratike i shprehu ambasadorëve të vendeve anëtare qëndrimin e pandryshueshëm të Partisë Demokratike për të bërë të gjitha përpjekjet që vendi t’i rikthehet kushtetueshmërisë dhe politikanët e lidhur me krimin, nga Saimir Tahiri tek Vangjush Dako, të përfundojnë para drejtësisë. Asnjë kompromis dhe asnjë interes pragmatik politik nuk do ta ndryshojë këtë qëndrim – u shpreh Basha.

Kryetari i opozitës i siguroi ambasadorët e vendeve anëtare të Bashkimit Europian se, në përputhje me vlerat më të larta demokratike, opozita dhe qytetarët shqiptarë do të qëndrojnë me të gjitha mjetet dhe format demokratike në mbrojtje të Kushtetutës dhe demokracisë dhe kundër kapjes së drejtësisë nga Edi Rama, klanet e drogës dhe grupet kriminale që bashkëqeverisin me të.

«Να μην επιτραπούν ελληνικά στρατιωτικά νεκροταφεία σε αλβανικό έδαφος»

 «Ποια είναι αυτά τα νεκροταφεία ενός στρατού που χρησιμοποίησε την αλβανική γη ως πεδίο μάχης;»


Δεκέμβριος 21, 2017. echedoros


Τίρανα.

Γράφει ο Spartak Ngjela



Η απόφαση της αλβανικής κυβέρνησης για τα νεκροταφεία των Ελλήνων στρατιωτών που έπεσαν στην Αλβανία είναι μια επαίσχυντη πράξη, γράφει αλβανικό δημοσίευμα που συνεχίζει:


Πως μπορούν να γίνουν δεκτοί τάφοι Ελλήνων στρατιωτών πολεμώντας στην Αλβανία,  σε μια εποχή που δεν ζητήθηκε βοήθεια από την αλβανική αρχή;



Το ερώτημα είναι: Γιατί να έρθουν;


Πως μπορεί κάποιος να έχει ένα νεκροταφείο στην Αλβανία, από έναν σοβινιστικό στρατό που κατέκτησε την αλβανική πόλη (…) των Ιωαννίνων το 1913; Και ανάγκασαν στη Διάσκεψη των Πρέσβεων να εγκαταλείψει η Αλβανία μια πόλη που κατοικούνταν εξ ολοκλήρου από Αλβανούς;

Ποια είναι αυτά τα νεκροταφεία ενός στρατού που χρησιμοποίησε το αλβανικό έδαφος ως πεδίο μάχης με τους εισβολείς της Αλβανίας;  Γιατί, αφού εισέβαλε στα Γιάννενα το 1913, ο ελληνικός στρατός ήθελε να κατακτήσει την Κορυτσά και το Αργυρόκαστρο το 1940;

Γιατί χτίζουμε τάφους εδώ για τους αδίστακτους εισβολείς;


Έγκλημα των αλβανικών κυβερνήσεων


Οι αλβανικές κυβερνήσεις, όχι μόνο δεν πρέπει να το δεχθούν, ούτε έχουν το δικαίωμα να συζητούν για το θέμα αυτό, διότι αποτελεί  ιστορικό έγκλημα κατά της ανεξαρτησίας της Αλβανίας.

 Για το λόγο αυτόν:

Η κυβέρνηση Ράμα πρέπει να αποσύρει επειγόντως την απόφαση της σχετικά με τα νεκροταφεία των Ελλήνων στρατιωτών στην Αλβανία, γιατί αλλιώς θα πρέπει να κατηγορηθεί αμέσως για εθνική προδοσία.


Γιατί να τιμούμε εδώ τους αδίστακτους εισβολείς στρατιώτες;


Οι αλβανικές κυβερνήσεις, να μην δεχθούν, ούτε να συμμετέχουν σε συνομιλίες για το θέμα αυτό, δεν πρέπει να το επιτρέψουν.


Είναι γνωστό ότι ο Ράμα δεν γνωρίζει την ιστορία της Αλβανίας, αυτό γίνεται αντιληπτό από τη μέτρια διαμόρφωσή του, αλλά και δεν καταλαβαίνει και αυτό σημαίνει ότι το άτομο αυτό πρέπει να διωχθεί αμέσως από την πρωθυπουργία.


Και η απόφαση που ελήφθη από την κυβέρνηση για τα νεκροταφεία των Ελλήνων στρατιωτών που σκοτώθηκαν στην Αλβανία πρέπει να καταργηθεί αμέσως.


Αντίθετα, αυτή η απόφαση θα είναι μια κατηγορία εθνικής προδοσίας, κατατεθειμένη εναντίον όλων των μελών του Ράμα 2, που ψήφισαν.


Η αλβανική κυβέρνηση  του προέδρου ‘Ράμα 2’ (2η τετραετία Ράμα) είναι είτε εντελώς ερασιτεχνική ή έχει εγκατασταθεί πουλώντας τα εθνικά συμφέροντα, όπως έχουν πράξει όλες οι αντι- αλβανικές κυβερνήσεις που ήταν πουλημένες στην Αθήνα και το Βελιγράδι.


( Στοιχεία από oranews.tv)

Αλβανική τηλεόραση: Ο Σταύρος Μάρκος λέει ότι η Ελλάδα θα μπλοκάρει την Αλβανία στην ΕΕ

«Νόμος του Πολέμου - Μάρκο στο Repolitix: Η Ελλάδα μπλοκάρει την ένταξη στην ΕΕ»

Δεκέμβριος 21, 2017. Echedoros


Στην εκπομπή ‘Repolitix’ του Ντένις Μίνγκα  με θέμα «υπάρχει ή όχι εμπόλεμος κατάσταση», που έχει η Ελλάδα με την Αλβανία, ο αναλυτής Σταύρι Μάρκο δήλωσε ότι η Ελλάδα είναι ο κεντρικός άξονας για την επίλυση των προβλημάτων της Αλβανίας  για ένταξη στην ΕΕ  και των Σκοπίων στο ΝΑΤΟ.

«Η ευρωπαϊκή Ένωση και οι ΗΠΑ έχουν σχέδια για το 2018, όπου κρίνεται ως ένα κρίσιμο έτος για τα Βαλκάνια, όσον αφορά την ένταξη στην ΕΕ. Η Ελλάδα είναι ο άξονας για την επίλυση των προβλημάτων της Αλβανίας και των Σκοπίων. Η Ελλάδα αποφάσισε να ασκήσει βέτο για την ενσωμάτωση των Σκοπίων στο ΝΑΤΟ και επίσης θα εμποδίσει την ενσωμάτωση της Αλβανίας στην ΕΕ», δήλωσε ο αναλυτής Σταύρι Μάρκο, όπως σημειώνει το αλβανικό δημοσίευμα.


Εν τω μεταξύ, ο δημοσιογράφος Αλεξάντερ Τσίπα, δήλωσε ότι τα θεσμικά όργανα της αλβανικής διπλωματίας δεν διαθέτουν ατζέντα για τις σχέσεις Ελλάδας και Αλβανίας.
«Τα σοβαρά ελληνικά ΜΜΕ γελάνε στον ισχυρισμό μας για την εμπόλεμη κατάσταση», είπε ο Τσίπα, ο οποίος πρόσθεσε:


«Τα ίδια μέσα ενημέρωσης έχουν γράψει για τη συνάντηση Κοτζιά – Μπουσάτι  ότι αυτή σε αυτήν τη συνάντηση θα μιλούσαν για την εμπόλεμη κατάσταση μεταξύ Αλβανίας- Ελλάδας».


« Η Αλβανία έχει κάνει δύο βήματα προς την ένταξη στην ΕΕ, το πρώτο βήμα είναι ο νόμος για τις μειονότητες και το δεύτερο βήμα είναι το ζήτημα των νεκροταφείων των Ελλήνων στρατιωτών», είπε ο Μάρκο.


Ο επίσης καλεσμένος την εκπομπή, Ιλίρ Καλεμάι είπε ότι σε κάθε διπλωματική δήλωση που γίνεται δημόσια υπάρχει και η κρυφή παράμετρος, και σχετικά με την άποψη των ελληνικών νεκροταφείων  που αποτελεί βήμα της Αλβανίας, ίσως,  υπάρχει κάποιο αντάλλαγμα για την Αλβανία.


Ο ίδιος θα επισημάνει ότι οι Αλβανοί που έχουν εργασθεί επί 20 χρόνια στην Ελλάδα δεν ενδιαφέρονται για κάποια νεκροταφεία που θα γίνουν στην Αλβανία, αλλά ενδιαφέρονται  να αναγνωρισθούν  αυτά τα έτη της εργασίας τους.


Επίσης ο  δημοσιογράφος Αουρέλ Πέπα δήλωσε ότι η συμφωνία για τα θαλάσσια σύνορα δεν είναι υποδεέστερη γιατί σε αυτό το κομμάτι υπάρχουν μεγάλα και πλούσια φυσικά αποθέματα.


«Όσον αφορά τα 200 μίλια θαλάσσιου χώρου, έχει γίνει μελέτη σε αυτά και λένε ότι υπάρχουν  τεράστια αποθέματα αερίου και πετρελαίου», πρόσθεσε ο Πέπα.


Ο αναλυτής Μάρκο τόνισε ότι θα πρέπει να βρεθεί μια μέση οδός για την αλβανική πλευρά ώστε να αποδεχθεί αυτή τη συμφωνία καθώς και ότι υπάρχει ενδιαφέρον και από την Ιταλία.


Στη διάρκεια της τηλεοπτικής συζήτησης ο Μάρκο ανέφερε ότι ο Αλεξάντερ Τσίπα, που είναι πρόεδρος της Ένωσης Δημοσιογράφων έχει ελληνικό διαβατήριο.


 Ο Τσίπα θα υποστηρίξει ότι δεν έχει παρά μόνο την αλβανική  εθνικότητα και καμία άλλη. Ωστόσο, ο Τσίπα ανέφερε ότι μιλάει ελληνικά και ότι έχει μάθε την ελληνική γλώσσα στο Αργυρόκαστρο, όταν ήταν συμμαθητής του Βαγγέλη Ντούλε, εκπροσώπου της ελληνικής μειονότητας.


(Στοιχεία από shqiptarja.com)

Ligji i luftës, Marko në Repolitix: Greqia bllokon integrimin në BE

Çipa: Mediat serioze greke tallen me pretendimin për ligjin e luftës

Gazetari Pepa: Sot është koha më e mirë për të bërë negociata

Shqiptarja

Çipa: Mediat serioze greke tallen me pretendimin për ligjin e luftës
Gazetari Pepa: Sot është koha më e mirë për të bërë negociata

Në studion e emisionit "Repolitix" të Denis Mingës gjatë diskutimeve se “Do të hiqet ose jo ligji i luftës” që Greqia ka me Shqipërinë, analisti Stavri Marko është shprehur se Greqia është strumbullari për zgjidhjen e problemeve të Shqipërisë për integrimin në BE dhe integrimin e Maqedonisë në NATO.

“Bashkimi Europian dhe SHBA kanë në plan që viti 2018 të jetë vit vendimtar për Ballkanin në lidhje me integrimin në BE. Greqia është strumbullari për të zgjidhur problemet e Shqipërisë dhe Maqedonisë. Greqia ka vendosur Veton në lidhje me integrimin e Maqedonisë në NATO dhe bllokon edhe integrimin e Shqipërisë në BE”, është shprehur analisti Stavri Marko.

Ndërkohë gazetari Aleksandër Çipa është shprehur se institucionet e Diplomacisë shqiptare nuk kanë një axhendë për marrëdhëniet mes Greqisë dhe Shqipërisë.

"Mediat serioze greke tallen me pretendimin tonë për ligjin e luftës", shprehet Çipa, i cili vijon se, "po këto media kanë shkruar për takimin Kotzias-Bushati se në këtë takim do të flitet për ligjin e luftës duke e barazuar me njhësimin e patentave Shqipëri-Greqi".

"Shqipëria ka bërë dy hapa drejt integrimit në BE, hapi i parë është ligji për minoritetet dhe hapi i dytë është Çështja e varrezave të ushtarëve grek", shprehet Marko.

Ilir Kalemaj është shprehur në Repolitix se “jo çdo deklaratë diplomatike bëhet publike, por sa i përket varrezave greke kjo mund të jetë një hap i Shqipërisë për të marrë diçka në këmbim”.

“Toponimet kanë lidhje me gjithë qytetarët, pasi kanë punuar nga 20 vite në greqi dhe nuk ju njihen vitet e punës. Qytetarëve nuk ju intereson shumë se do ndërtohen disa varreza, ju intereson nëse do tju njihen ose jo vitet e punës”, shprehet analisti Ilir Kalemaj.

Gazetari Aurel Pepa është shprehur se marrëveshja e detit nuk është diçka e vogël, pasi ajo pjesë është e pasur me rezerva të mëdha natyrore.

“Në lidhje me ato 200 milje të shelfit detar, është bërë një studim dhe aty ka rezerva të mëdha gazi dhe nafte dhe nuk mund të jetë diçka banale. Shqipëria nuk ka asnjë marrëveshje për të shfrytëzuar këto resurse, por shteti grek është shumë përpara dhe kjo është në disfavor”, shprehet Pepa.

Analisti Marko tha se duhet gjetur një e mesme që edhe pala shqiptare ta pranojë këtë marrëveshje, pasi është e interesuar edhe Italia.

Ndërkohë Çipa e kundërshton Markon duke thënë se këto marrëveshje i takojnë dy shteteve dhe nuk ka një palë ndërmjetëse.

“Pjesa e dytë e këtij viti është një kthesë e fortë në mandatin e qeverisë Rama në lidhje me marrëdhëniet me Greqinë”. thotë Çipa, i cili vijon se synimi ynë për në BE është penguar jo nga shqiptarët por nga të tjerët.

“Në Maqedoni ka ndryshuar koncepti nacionalist, pasi kryeministri Zaev po bën reforma dhe po ecën në hapat që ia këshillon Bashkimi Europian, drejt kësaj po shkojmë edhe ne”, thotë Marko.

Οι εξτρεμιστές ιερόσυλοι τρομοκρατούν τους ορθοδόξους: Άλλα δύο παρεκκλήσια εκλάπησαν και καταστράφηκαν χθες το βράδυ!

-Πελασγός Κορυτσάς 

Παραμονή Χριστουγέννων και η τρομοκρατία συνεχίζεται στην Κορυτσά,

Χθες το βράδυ στο κέντρο της πόλης της Κορυτσάς καταστράφηκαν άλλα δύο παρεκκλήσια αυτό της Κοιμήσεως της Θεοτόκου και του Αγίου Γεωργίου.

Εντύπωση προκαλεί το γεγονός πως το παρεκκλήσι της Κοιμήσεως της Θεοτόκου έχει κλαπεί και καταστραφεί πέντε φορές και η αστυνομία δεν βρίσκει κανέναν ένοχο. Ο επίτροπος του ναού , ο Διονύσιος Μυτρολλάρη καλεί την αστυνομία να βρει τους ενόχους.

Αν και πριν από δυο μέρες καταστράφηκαν δύο παρεκκλήσια, οι ιερόσυλοι εξτρεμιστές , για να δείξουν και να βεβαιώσουν πως εδώ δεν υπάρχει κράτος  και ότι οι ίδιοι μπορούν να κάνουν ότι θέλουν στους ορθοδόξους, χωρίς να ανησυχεί  κανείς, κατέστρεψαν άλλα δύο παρεκκλήσια στο κέντρο της πόλης. Πάλη κανείς δεν τους είδε;

Καλούμε τους ορθοδόξους να αντιδράσουν με όλους τους νόμιμους τρόπους και αν τελικά κανείς δεν πάρει μέτρα τότε να πάρουμε εμείς το νόμο στα χέρια και να βρούμε τους ενόχους και να τους μάθουμε πως με τα ιερά και όσια μιας κοινότητας δεν παίζουμε.
Η τρομοκρατία δεν θα περάσει

Σκόπια: «Το πρόβλημα των βουλγαρικών διαβατηρίων θα λυθεί όταν ενταχθούμε στην ΕΕ»

«Ντιμίτροφ: Η πΓΔΜ μέλος της ΕΕ, με διαβατήριο από την ΕΕ θα λύσει το ζήτημα της απόκτησης των βουλγαρικών διαβατηρίων»

Δεκέμβριος 18, 2017. Echedoros

Η πΓΔΜ μέλος της Ευρωπαϊκής Ένωσης, με ευρωπαϊκό διαβατήριο, είναι η λύση στο ζήτημα της Βουλγάρας αντιπροέδρου Ηλιάνας Γιότοβα που δήλωσε ότι πάνω από 70 χιλιάδες  πολίτες των Σκοπίων που έβγαλαν βουλγαρικά διαβατήρια είναι Βούλγαροι, δήλωσε ο επικεφαλής της διπλωματίας των Σκοπίων, Νίκολα Ντιμίτροφ.



« Η λύση, πραγματικά, που απασχολεί τους πολίτες μας, οι οποίοι υποβάλλουν αίτηση για διαβατήρια άλλων χωρών είναι η αύξηση της ελκυστικότητας του διαβατηρίου της πΓΔΜ. Έτσι, η πραγματική και μακροπρόθεσμη λύση που θα αντιμετωπίσει την πρόκληση αυτή είναι να γίνει το κράτος μας μέλος της ΕΕ  και να έχει ευρωπαϊκό διαβατήριο ως κράτος μέλος. Αυτό είναι πολύ σημαντικό και κάνουμε ότι μπορούμε για να εκμεταλλευθούμε την ευκαιρία που μας δίνεται μέσα στο 2018», είπε ο Ντιμίτροφ.


Οι δηλώσεις έγιναν κατά τη συνάντησή του με τον Ούγγρο ομόλογό του Πέτερ Σιγιάρτο στα Σκόπια, ο οποίος τόνισε ότι η ένταξη των Σκοπίων και των άλλων χωρών των Δυτικών Βαλκανίων στην ΕΕ και το ΝΑΤΟ είναι ένα από τα δύο απαραίτητα βήματα για την επίτευξη διαρκούς ασφάλειας στην Ευρώπη.


Μάλιστα, ο Πέτερ Σιγιάρτο ανακοίνωσε ότι  παρατείνεται η παραμονή της ουγγρικής αστυνομίας για τη φύλαξη των συνόρων των Σκοπίων με την Ελλάδα προκειμένου να γίνεται καλύτερη διαχείριση της μεταναστευτικής ροής, η οποία δεν σταμάτησε εντελώς.

Interview: EU Urges Western Balkans, Eastern Partnership Countries To Speed Up Reforms

December 20, 2017 RFERL

Rikard Jozwiak


European Commissioner for Migration and Home Affairs Dimitris Avramopoulos (file photo)


BRUSSELS -- The European Union is urging Western Balkans countries and members of the Eastern Partnership program that have visa-free travel arrangements with the EU to do more to fight organized crime and corruption.

In an interview with RFE/RL on December 20, the European commissioner for home affairs, Dmitris Avramopoulos, singled out Ukraine and Moldova in particular as countries that need to speed up reforms.

He said all the countries concerned need to "step up their efforts to address irregular migration and fight organized crime and corruption in particular."

Avramopoulos spoke as the European Commission published a report on how Albania, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Georgia, Macedonia, Moldova, Montenegro, Serbia, and Ukraine implement their visa-free regimes with the EU as well as rule-of-law reforms.

It is the first such annual report since the EU adopted a visa suspension mechanism and since visa-liberalization deals enabling Georgian and Ukrainian citizens to travel freely to the visa-free Schengen area came into force earlier in 2017.

The visa-suspension mechanism allows for visa-free regimes to be halted under certain circumstances once they are in place. It was drafted as a condition for the implementation of visa-liberalization agreements for non-EU countries.

'Two To Tango'

Avramopoulos said that "no visa-free suspension is being decided or proposed today," but added that the council expects all the countries to "step up their efforts to address irregular migration and fight organized crime and corruption in particular."

The commissioner called on Kyiv to "take immediate action to safeguard anticorruption measures introduced with previous reforms and to allow further progress to be made."

The report criticizes Moldova, which was granted EU visa liberalization in 2014, over evidence of corruption and money laundering.

Asked whether Ukrainians and Moldovans should worry that visa-free EU travel could be suspended, Avramopoulos said "it is not within our intention so the question should be asked to the citizens of these countries if they really want to defend these privileges and this right. It is up to them."

"As far as the European Union is concerned, we are very positive to continue on the same path but as you understand, it takes two to tango," he added.


Rikard Jozwiak
Rikard Jozwiak covers the European Union and NATO for RFE/RL from his base in Brussels.​

Αλβανία: Έντονη αντίδραση Αλβανοτσάμηδων για τα ελληνικά στρατιωτικά νεκροταφεία

«Τα νεκροταφεία των Ελλήνων στρατιωτών στην Αλβανία, αντιδρά έντονα το PDIU: εδαφικές διεκδικήσεις, δεν πολεμάμε τους νεκρούς, αλλά…»

Δεκέμβριος 20, 2017. Echedoros

Τίρανα.

Η πολιτική έκφραση των Αλβανοτσάμηδων, το Κόμμα Δικαιοσύνης, Ενσωμάτωσης και Ενότητας - PDIU, αντέδρασε έντονα στο θέμα των ελληνικών στρατιωτικών νεκροταφείων που συμφωνήθηκε μεταξύ των Τιράνων και της Αθήνας, γράφει αλβανικό δημοσίευμα.



Το κόμμα των Αλβανοτσάμηδων με δελτίο τύπου αναφέρει ότι παρακολουθεί με ανησυχία τις τελευταίες εξελίξεις,  προσθέτοντας ότι: «Εμείς δεν πολεμάμε του νεκρούς, αλλά οι νεκροί  δεν μπορεί και δεν πρέπει να χρησιμοποιούνται από τους ζώντες για να ικανοποιήσουν εδαφικές απαιτήσεις και να νομιμοποιήσουν  σοβινιστικές διεκδικήσεις».


«Νωρίτερα ο υπουργός Εξωτερικών της Ελλάδας, Νίκος Κοτζιάς, απέστειλε μήνυμα ευχαριστίας σε συνέδριο  σχετικά με την απόφαση της αλβανικής κυβέρνησης να ρυθμίσει το θέμα των ελληνικών στρατιωτικών νεκροταφείων στη χώρας κατά τη διάρκεια  του Β’ Παγκόσμιου Πολέμου», σημειώνει η αλβανική «Tema».

Σχόλια
Χαρακτηριστικά είναι δύο σχόλια Αλβανών πολιτών στο δημοσίευμα της εφημερίδας «Tema», όπου το πρώτο,  που το υπογράφει ο Berisha Largohu αναφέρει:
 «Μη μιλάτε στο όνομα των Αλβανών, γιατί δεν είναι όλοι οι Αλβανοί της κοινότητας των τσάμηδων. Οι Αλβανοί δεν χρειάζεται να αντιδράσουν, είστε μια απλή κοινότητα και δεν μπορείτε να μιλάτε στο όνομα της πλειοψηφίας».


Και το άλλο που το υπογράφει ο beni, λέει μεταξύ των άλλων:


«Ασκείτε αυτόν τον ισλαμικό πατριωτισμό για νεκρούς!  Οι νεκροί είναι σεβαστοί από τους ζώντες, σε κάθε μέρος της γης ακόμη και αν είναι εχθροί! Ο ισλαμικός πολιτισμός σας δεν ταιριάζει με τους πολιτισμένους και τους ευρωπαίους».

"Balkans is once again starting to burn," warns Slovak PM

Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico says it is important to offer a European perspective "to some countries in the Balkans."

SOURCE: TANJUG TUESDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2017

Fico spoke after his meeting the UN secretary-general, Antonio Guterres, Tanjug reported on Tuesday, citing Slovakia's TASR.

The prime minister assessed that the Balkans is "once again starting to burn," and said he believes a European perspective is necessary because otherwise "the nervousness in the region will start to grow."

Fico also said he and Guterres discussed a Slovak project aimed at limiting the influx of migrants, which has been created in cooperation "with some other countries."

"We need to continue projects outside the EU and move the issue of migration to these third countries. Slovakia is ready to support responsible projects within the UN," Fico said.

He also said that it was "very important that the United Nations are strong, because the EU is not strong enough to engage more on some issues."

"The EU is essentially not present in Ukraine. And we have no influence on the situation in Syria," Fico said, stressing the importance of strong international organizations in conflicts of the kind, such as the UN.

"Serbs are small but proud nation, and value Russia highly"

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday thanked his Serbian counterpart Aleksandar Vucic for their constructive talks that took place in Moscow.

SOURCE: B92, FILIP CUKANOVIC TUESDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2017 | 17:39
  

Addressing a joint news conference, Putin said that the conversation went in a friendly atmosphere, and that the talks were substantial.

As he pointed out, the two countries are striving to develop their interstate cooperation, and in this context, he mentioned the marking of the 180th anniversary of the establishment of Russia-Serbia diplomatic relations.

Putin said that he and Vucic also paid attention to economic cooperation, the Russian capital in Serbia that has "accumulated to reach four billion" - and about the deepening of investment cooperation.

Putin said that Serbia is important not only as an importer, but also for the transit of Russia's natural gas. He mentioned the Turkish Stream pipeline in that context.

"Our companies are ready to get involved in the overhaul of other energy plants in Serbia," he said, adding that he was counting on new cooperation project, and pointed out that energy is the priority sector.

The Russian president cited the work of Russian Railways is Serbia as an example of cooperation. He also said that Russia wants to deepen cooperation in the sphere of banking, as well as in expert consultations on free trade zones.

The value of trade this year rose to 1.5 billion dollars, he recalled.

Putin added that cultural and humanitarian cooperation was also discussed today.

"The mosaic on the dome of St. Sava's Temple (in Belgrade) has been completed. In November, the Alexandrov choir performed and I am grateful that a park has been named after them in Belgrade. There is a high tendency in Serbia to study the Russian language, to expand the tourist exchange," said Putin.

When it comes to the Balkans, Putin said that Russia is interested in stabilizing the situation in the region, and added that Vucic received confirmation from him that the Russian side would provide Serbia with support.

Putin said his country Russia would also continue to support Serbia's sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Russia will support any decision reached by Belgrade and Pristina, Putin said, stressing that a solution should be achieved by political means and through dialogue between the two sides, and in accordance with UN Security Council Resolution 1244.

"Small but proud"
Aleksandar Vucic said on Tuesday in Moscow that the Serbs are "a small, but proud people who highly value ​​Russia's friendship."

Vucic said that his face-to-face meeting with Putin earlier in the day covered "all areas."

"The talks were substantial and constructive, we improved our relations and strengthened our trust," Vucic said during his address in the Kremlin, in a part that was "the message to the citizens of Serbia."

Vucic previously spoke in Russian about the meeting, and mostly reiterated the views that Serbia has repeatedly presented in the past.

He thus said that Serbia has never interfered, nor does it intends to interfere in Russia's internal affairs, and that Belgrade, regardless of its European path, will never impose sanctions on Russia, while it remains militarily neutral.

"I know that this does not have great significance in Russia, because we are a small country, but my duty is to say that Serbia has neither introduced nor will it ever introduce sanctions against Russia. I am sure that we will succeed in this because we are a sovereign and independent state. A small nation and one of a few who behave fairly and honorably toward the Russian friends," Vucic said.

He specifically thanked Putin for his stance toward Serbia, noting that the Russian side "acted differently" before he came to power.

"For that reason I want to wish President Putin good luck in the upcoming elections," Vucic said.

The Serbian president said his country is particularly grateful to Russia and Putin "for three things."

"Firstly, because Russia vetoed a draft UN Security Council resolution on Srebrenica in July 2015, thanks to which the Serbs do not bear the mark of a genocidal nation on their forehead. Secondly, thanks to Russia's support, Serbia has the possibility of fighting for Kosovo and Metohija, and thirdly because Serbia has received support as a military neutral country that does not want to join any alliance, including NATO, to renew its Air Force and preserve its neutrality," Vucic said.

Vucic also revealed that he invited Putin to come to Serbia, and that he expects that, apart from the economy, there will be "better results" in cultural and sports exchange.

The meeting in the Kremlin started almost an hour late, and the two presidents spoke in Russian.

At the beginning of the meeting, attended also by members of Serbian and Russian delegations, the Russian president said his relationship with Vucic has been good ever since he served as Serbia's prime minister.

"Good relations continue now that Vucic is the president of Serbia, and I believe this will continue also in the future," said Putin.

Vucic congratulated the Russian leader on his decision to seek another presidential term, and wished him much luck and success in the elections, thanking Putin at the same time for his support.

Vucic and Putin will make a joint address after the meeting.

War between Turkey, US in Syria’s Afrin possible: CIA report

A report published by Rand Corporation, an American think tank closely affiliated with the CIA, has deemed that the US army could clash with Turkey in Syria

Link

13:44 December 17, 2017
Yeni Şafak

As Turkey prepares to launch an operation against Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) terrorists in Syria’s Afrin, the U.S. has threatened war with Turkey in the PKK-occupied city, in a report published by the CIA-affiliated Rand Corporation.

The most recent report, titled “U.S. Strategic Interests in the Middle East and Implications for the Army,” was published by the Rand Corporation, an American think tank closely affiliated with the CIA.

The report concluded that opposing interests between Ankara and Washington may lead to possible clashes between the two countries, deeming a potential confrontation to be “not entirely out of the question.”

Turkish Armed Forces resemble no other army!

The Rand report warned the U.S. army that it will be facing the region’s most powerful armed forces, unlike any that it has gone up against before.

“It is not entirely out of the question that the [U.S.] Army could be called on to help protect Kurdish forces [YPG] in Iraq or Syria, which have been the United States’ staunchest allies in the war against [Daesh], from potential or actual attack by Turkey, placing American forces in opposition to an army far more capable than those they have faced in past conflicts in the Middle East.”

The PYD and its military YPG wing are Syrian branches of the PKK, which has waged war against Turkey for more than 30 years. Since the PKK launched its terror campaign in Turkey in 1984, tens of thousands of people have been killed, including more than 1,200 since July 2015 alone.

Turkey has repeatedly objected to U.S. arms being sent to the PYD, due to its links to the terrorist organization the PKK.

Drawn into an Israeli quagmire

The Rand report deemed any potential Israeli attack against Iran to run counter to U.S. interests and policies in the region. However, the report defended the need for the U.S. to come to Israel’s aid in the case of drawn out battle between Israel and Iran, risking being dragged into a prolonged conflict.

“The United States would be drawn into these conflicts to bail out its allies if they bite off more than they can chew or even be blamed for their actions, opening the United States to potential retaliation,” the report concluded.

President arrives in Moscow, to meet with Putin on Tuesday

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic has arrived in Moscow for a three-day visit to Russia, during which he will speak with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

SOURCE: TANJUG MONDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2017
 

Vucic described the meeting with Putin, that will take place on Tuesday, as "big and important."

Vucic will on Monday visit the Zaryadye Park, spreading on 13 kilometers near Red Square, that was opened in September by President Vladimir Putin and Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin, on the capital's 870th anniversary.

Later in the evening, Vucic will present Serbia's state decoration awarded posthumously to Russian UN Ambassador Vitaly Churkin to his widow.

Churkin was known as a great friend of Serbia, who as Russia's representative voted to block a draft British UN Security Council resolution on Srebrenica, and during the body's sessions dedicated to Kosovo energetically criticized Pristina institutions, warning that the situation in the province was far from what the authorities there wished to make it appear to be.

The topics of the talks have not been officially announced, and after Russia delivered six donated MIG-29s to Serbia, "the only thing certain is that further improvement of military cooperation will be high on the agenda of the two presidents," according to Tanjug.

During a recent visit by Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu to Serbia, Vucic expressed interest in Buk-2 systems (one of the most modern mid-range missile systems) and Panzir (mid-range and short-range missiles) and the media suggest that this could also feature in his conversations in the Kremlin.

Promotion of economic cooperation will also be one of the most important topics, especially energy, and within that perspective, Serbia's inclusion in the Turkish Stream project, as well as gas supplies.

In an interview with Russia's TASS agency in early December, Vucic said that relations with Russia are a priority for Serbia not only because of the past, but also because of the future.

He said the visit comes at a time when Serbia is under pressure for its connections and relations with Russia, and was being asked "not to sit on two chairs."

Vucic repeated several times during the interview that his country was "sitting on the Serbian chair" and that the country was "clearly determined in favor of joining the EU, but also for cooperation with Russia" and would never impose sanctions on Russia.

According to Serbian Foreign Minister Ivica Dacic, several new agreements with Russia are expected to be signed during the visit of the Serbian delegation, while economic projects and investments will be agreed for the coming year.

The delegation led by Vucic will include Defense Minister Aleksandar Vulin, Minister of Economy Goran Knezevic and Minister of Technological Innovations Nenad Popovic.

Previously, Vucic and Putin talked in the Kremlin in March while Vucic was still serving as prime minister.

There can be no armed force in Kosovo except KFOR - Vulin

Serbian Defense Minister Aleksandar Vulin says KFOR will remain the only military formation in Kosovo and Metohija.

SOURCE: TANJUG FRIDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2017 | 16:52
 

Speaking at the Pasuljanske Livade Range, where he attend the Serbian Army's Zima 2017 (Winter 2017) exercise, Vulin added that any other outcome would represent "a serious security problem for the whole region."

Reacting to Kosovo Prime Minister Ramush Haradinaj's statement that "the Kosovo Army" would be established "by March," Vulin recalled that this was Haradinaj's "old wish."

"Based on (UNSC) Resolution 1244, it is clear that the only armed force in Kosovo and Metohija can be KFOR, and that is the position of the Republic of Serbia that will not change. This is the position of the government of the Republic of Serbia, of the United Nations and, most importantly, of all Serbs in Kosovo and Metohija," Vulin told journalists, Tanjug reported on Friday.

The minister pointed out that it was not possible to form "any kind of an army of Kosovo" - except "by force and brutal violation of international law, by violation of Resolution 1244, by brutally trampling on the will of the United Nations Security Council, and, of course, of Serbs in Kosovo and Metohija."

"Forming the Kosovo army outside Resolution 1244 would be a serious security problem for the whole region, the creation of some kind of military formation, where it cannot exist - because there is no state there - some formation that would be led by people whose goal is to destabilize this area and have conflict in this region," said Vulin, and concluded:

"Once again, I am warning that Resolution 1244 must be respected, that is the position of our people, our country, our president, and the position of our Army - that there can be no army in Kosovo, nor any armed force other than KFOR."

US Think Tank Drops Hint the Balkans May Turn Into Hotbed Again in 2018

 

© AP Photo/ Dimitri Messinis

OPINION
21:42 15.12.2017

Sputnik

The Balkan region has been listed by the influential Council on Foreign Relations as a potential hotbed in 2018. Speaking to Sputnik, Milomir Stepic, a research fellow at the Institute of Political Studies in Belgrade, opined that the US is seeking to preserve dominance and if needed beef up its presence in this important geopolitical zone.

One should not underestimate the importance of the Balkans, it has always been and still remains a very important region, Milomir Stepic, a research fellow at the Institute of Political Studies in Belgrade, told Sputnik, commenting on the Council on Foreign Relations' (CFR) tenth annual Preventive Priorities Survey which mentioned the Balkans as a potential hotbed in 2018 for the first time in a long while.

"This [region] is the scene of clashes between the world's leading powers. Once China has recently come to the arena, the knot has become more entangled than ever," Stepic said. "No one withdraws from the Balkans, [instead] new players are entering [the region]. It's impossible to create a vacuum in this situation — there must always be a force that maintains dominance."


According to the Serbian researcher, the US is very interested in preserving its status in the Balkans. If Washington loses its footing in the region, its position in the entire eastern Mediterranean, the Black Sea and southern Europe would be in shreds, he noted.
One should focus attention on the changing dynamics of US-Turkish relations, according to Stepic,  referring to the fact that Ankara seriously influences the situation both in the Balkans and the Middle East and controls one of the key "geopolitical points" — the Bosporus and Dardanelles Straits.

The scholar noted that while various rapid changes are still possible in the Balkan region, the Americans are seeking to boost their positions there. Camp Bondsteel in Kosovo remains the main foothold of the United States Army in southern Europe. Besides the US maintains its military presence in Macedonia, Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina.

If they decide that their positions are under threat, the Americans would easily beef up their presence in the Balkans, the researcher pointed out.

Sputnik's interlocutor noted that Russia also wants to increase its influence in the region which the US regards as an alarming signal.

"The Balkans are being called as the most accurate seismograph for recording geopolitical earthquakes," Stepic underscored. "The first 'tremors' caused by the clashes of global heavyweights are registered here."


The scholar noted that the US has left numerous potentially explosive spots which could "detonate" and lead to an all-out conflict in the region. "Then Washington will again send mediators to resolve the chaos, and, of course, stay [in the region] again," he concluded.
On December 11, the US influential think tank CFR released Preventive Priorities Survey: 2018 worked out by the think tank's Center for Preventive Action (CPA).

The CPA requested foreign policy experts "to rank thirty ongoing or potential conflicts based on their likelihood of occurring or escalating in the next year and their potential impact on US national interests."

While the Balkans is not in the list of "top tier risks" which includes North Korea, Russia-NATO potential confrontation and terrorism threat and is ranked only the third in the survey it is still surprising, given the fact that it has not been mentioned by the CFR for a long time.

The Balkans is placed in the "Tier 3 Conflicts" section together with Nigeria, Libya, Sahel, Zimbabwe, South Sudan, Congo, Kenya and Central African Republic.

"Among the eight new contingencies in this year's survey are the risks of intensified clashes between Israel and Hezbollah, increased violence and political instability in the Sahel region of Africa, and escalating tensions or extremist violence in the Balkans," the report says.

Commenting on the matter, US expert on the Balkans Daniel Serwer told the N1 broadcaster in Bosnia-Herzegovina that the fact that the Balkans are in third tier of the survey demonstrate that the US has much more important problems. However, "it's the first time in a long time that the Council has listed the Balkans," Serwer highlighted

Η Ελλάδα διαθέτει τον 4ο μεγαλύτερο στρατό στην ΕΕ με 162.000 αξιωματικούς και οπλίτες

Δημοσίευση: 17 Δεκεμβρίου 2017, Pentapostagma


Τον τέταρτο μεγαλύτερο στρατό στην ΕΕ διαθέτει η Ελλάδα σύμφωνα με τα στοιχεία, που παραθέτει το Spectator Index για το 2016.


Ο ελληνικός στρατός αριθμεί 162.000 αξιωματικούς και οπλίτες και βρίσκεται στην τέταρτη θέση της σχετικής κατάταξης.

Πρώτη είναι η Ιταλία με 248.000 και ακολουθεί η Γαλλία με 204.000.

Τρίτη είναι η Γερμανία  με 180.000 και έπεται η Ελλάδα με  162.000.

Ακλουθούν το Ηνωμένο Βασίλειο με 151.000, η Ισπανία με 124.000, η Πολωνία με 110.000, η Ρουμανία με 73.000, η Ολλανδία με 43.000 και η Πορτογαλία με 35.000.

QEVERIA E SHQIPERISE, (RI) APROVON VENDIMIN PER VAREZAT E USHTAREVE GREKE

PO HIMARA?

SManalysis

Tirana, ben nje hap perpara per “Ceshtje te nxehta” ndaj Athines, duke filluar nga “radha”: Ndertimin e Varezave te Ushtareve Greke dhe jo ceshtjen e mbijeteses se Komunitetit Grek, vetedeklarimin dhe pronat, pasi i duhet kohe te vere ne zbatim Planin per Pastrimin Etnik te Himares, nepermjet dhjetra Lejeve per te ndertuar Resorte dhe Hotele, mbi pronat e grabitura te Himarioteve.

Me vendimin e dates 13 Dhjetor 2917, Qeveria e Edi Rames, ka bere nje hap perpara nje prej ceshtjeve te mbetura prej vitesh, ndertimin e varezave per ushtaret greke te vrare gjate luftes se dyte boterore ne territorin e Shqiperise. Gjithesesi, pasi e kane mbajtur peng te perplasjeve diplomatike prej vitit 1996 dhe me tej pasi e ka firmosur kete Marveshje (pra kjo VKM eshte rifreskim i Marveshjes se vitit 2008) e cila iu dha ne kembim per Anetaresimin ne NATO dhe celjen e Negociatave me BE, Tirana, tregon predispozitetin per te qene pjese e dialogut me Greqine, per te treguar vullnetin e bisedimeve dhe Marveshjes se Miqesise.

Ne se ne Athine, mendojne se”ka ndryshuar kurs Tirana”, duke bere leshimin e pare, te pakten kjo nuk mund te ndodhe ne terren, ku nga te njejtat zyra, Qeveria e Shqiperise leshon me dhjetra urdhera per leje ndertimi per resorte turistike te modelit turk, ne rivieren e Himares, tokat e te ciles, jane “pushtuar nga shqiptare”, me dokumente false. Pra ne heshtje por ne terren ne Himare kryhet Pastrim Etnik, nga njera ane dhe ne “leter” po ne Tirane, meren vendime, te cilat jane mare perpara por nuk jane zbatuar dhe keto vendime, kane nje protagonist, Edi Rama, i cili eshte shfaqur si politikani qe mban recordin me negativ te mardhenjeve greko shqiptare. Kete e tregon edhe fakti, qe nje jave perpara ne Vlore, Qeveria e Rames, lejoji zhvillimin e nje mitingu te " grupimit ekstremist te Ashtequajtur Republike e Camerise ne Exil", ndersa tre dite me pas, aprovon Lejen e Varezave te ushtareve Greke. 

Perse me kaq ngut, keto levizje?

Ka nje limit, qe eshte vendosur nga Brukseli, BE kerkon me procedura te pershpejtuara, anetaresimin e Ballkanit sic u ndoqen per Anetaresim ne NATO edhe pse nuk plotesojne kushte minimale demokratike, dhe per kete, duhen sheshuar konfliktet me fqinjet, per me teper Greqia me Shqiperi dhe FYROM. Por kjo kerkon kosto, e cila ne vend qe te shtrohet trysni ndaj dy vendeve me standarte te uleta dhe me retorika nacionaliste iridentiste, I kerkojne Greqise te jete me e kujdesshme. Por nga ana tjeter, Komisioneri Hanh i ndodhur ne Greqi disa dite perpara, ka mare disa propozime nga pala greke, e cila duket se do ti kerkohen trysni nga Brukseli Tiranes dhe Shkupit, vecanerisht nga Presidenca Europiane Bullgare gjate janarit te 2018.

Megjithate, ti rikthehemi marveshjes se varezave, Tirana, ben nje hap perpara per “Ceshtje te nxehta” ndaj Athines, duke filluar nga “radha”: Ndertimin e Varezave te Ushtareve Greke dhe jo ceshtjen e mbijeteses se Komunitetit Grek, vetedeklarimin jashte zonave minoritare te dhe pronat, pasi i duhet kohe te vere ne zbatim Planin per Pastrimin Etnik te Himares, nepermjet dhjetra Lejeve per te ndertuar Resorte dhe Hotele, mbi pronat e grabitura te Himarioteve. Ne kete aspect, deklaratat e Niko Kotzias se: “cdo grek ne Shqiperi, eshte i garantuar dhe mbrohet nga Qeveria Greke” dhe nga ana tjeter, Tirana nuk permbush kushtin e vetedeklarimit dhe mbrojtjes se prones te grekeve, jane dy gjera te kunderta, dhe kjo tregon pafuqesi ndaj Tiranes, nderkohe qe Bullgaria, ka zgjidhur me nje shpejtesi dhe kohe record, te drejtat e Bullgareve ne Sqhiperi.