Greece due to secure EC job it targeted


 
Greece is confident that its representative on the new European Commission, Dimitris Avramopoulos, will take over a newly created post that will include the immigration, human rights and interior portfolios.

The new president of the European Commission, Jean-Claude Juncker, is due to announce the new lineup this week after naming the 27 commissioners, including the minimum of nine women that he wanted, on Friday. Avramopoulos met Juncker on Wednesday in Brussels and Kathimerini understands that it was agreed at the meeting that the outgoing Greek defense minister would take over the amalgamated portfolio.

Athens is very pleased by this development as it is keen to see the European Union revise the Dublin II Regulation, which requires asylum applications to be examined by the country where the applicants entered the EU. Greece feels this places an unfair burden on southern European countries. The government also wants Brussels to step up its efforts to deal with irregular immigration.

The only job announced so far, that of EU diplomatic chief, went to Italian Foreign Minister Federica Mogherini. Former French Finance Minister Pierre Moscovici and Finland’s ex-Premier Jyrki Katainen are favorites for the post of economic affairs commissioner.

Juncker’s team includes four former heads of government in addition to himself: Katainen, former Estonian Premier Andrus Ansip, ex-Lithuanian Premier Valdis Dombrovskis and one-time Slovenian PM Alenka Bratusek.

There are also 13 ministers or former ministers and six European commissioners from the outgoing setup. Juncker’s appointments will also have to be approved by the European Parliament next month.

"Recognition of Kosovo not subject of talks"

Source: Beta, Tanjug

BELGRADE -- Deputy PM and Foreign Minister Ivica Dačić has said that Belgrade and Priština are not conducting negotiations on a recognition of Kosovo and Metohija.

(Tanjug, file)

He pointed out that "such a possibility has not even been hinted at, in any way."
"We have made it clear that the dialogue is status-neutral, and we have not made it known with any act nor have we taken any formal action that would lead to a recognition of independence," Dačić said.

Noting that Kosovo Foreign Minister Enver Hoxhaj both in Berlin and during a recent meeting of the UN Security Council in New York spoke about "signing of a peace agreement, recognition of Kosovo's independence and its membership in various international organizations," Dačić said that these statements were "an attempt to abuse the good will of Belgrade."

He expressed hope that Serbia will open chapters 32 and 35 in its negotiations on EU membership by the end of the year, while chapters 23 and 24 are planned for the spring.

Germany, according to him, wanted those opened first, "but there is hope that this position could be changed."

Dačić pointed out that Serbia "should not pay the price because of the instability in Priština," where a government has not been formed yet, which delayed the continuation of the dialogue, and recalled that the previous Serbian government took part in the talks even during its caretaker mandate.

Informal discussions are in progress in Brussels on chapter 35 today, and although the chapter marked as "miscellaneous" it generally refers to normalization of relations between Belgrade and Priština.

Previously, a regular meeting of delegations produced an agreement on administrative crossings between Kosovo and central Serbia.

Dačić also said on Friday said that a meeting of Balkan ministers of economy and foreign affairs with EU representatives should be held in October in Belgrade.

He said that representatives of Priština authorities would take part in accordance with the manner agreed previously - referring to the asymmetrical representation of Kosovo not as a state, "but with an asterisk and a footnote" next to its name.

Speaking about the report of American prosecutor Clint Williamson on the trafficking in human organs of kidnapped Serbs in Kosovo, Dačić said that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Serbia welcomed it.

"An objective report of the prosecutor gives us reason to believe that an investigation into the murders and organ trafficking will not be stopped. We hope that the report will contribute to serious crimes being transferred from political to the legal arena, and that there will be no delays in establishing of a tribunal, which will deal with the statements from the report and raise indictments based on those," said Dačić.

Candidacy

Ivica Dačić said on Friday that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs received former president of the UN General Assembly and former Serbian Foreign Minister Vuk Jeremić to discuss his candidacy for secretary-general of the organization.

Dačić said that Jeremić had expressed his willingness to accept the nomination, but that the government had still not discussed the issue.

This means that Serbia is still not officially participating in the bid for the position of UN secretary-general, Dačić said at a regular monthly press conference at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

He pointed out that many other countries had still not put forward their candidates, as the election for the successor to Ban Ki-moon was due to take place in a year and a half from now.

Tirana prepares for the visit of Pope Francis on September 21.

World Bulletin / News Desk

Albania is in hectic preparation for the visit of Pope Francis to its capital, Tirana, on September 21.

The Culture Ministry announced that work had begun for the restoration of the Mother Teresa Square where Pope Francis will hold a mass on the day of his visit.

The ministry listed the removal of the fountain on the square and the cleanup of the neighborhood among the first tasks to handle.

Earlier, Pope Francis said that his visit to Albania would be an opportunity to express his support to the country.

He said his brief visit to the country which had long suffered consequences of the problems of the past, would be an opportunity to encourage its people.

Fifteen percent of Albania's population are Catholic, while another 15 percent are Orthodox and more than 60 percent Muslim.

Albanian authorities arrest central bank governor

Arrest linked to alleged theft of 713m leks ($6.6 m) from a reserve storage building

    AP


Tirana, Albania: Prosecutors in Albania says that central bank governor Ardian Fullani has been arrested for alleged abuse of office in connection with a multimillion dollar theft from the bank’s reserves.

Albi Serani, spokesman for the Prosecutor-General’s office, says the Bank of Albania chief was taken into police custody following a court order late Friday. Serani said the arrest is linked to the alleged theft of 713 million leks (Dh24.29 million, 5 million euros, $6.6 million) from a reserve storage building which was discovered in July, but provided no further details.

The money was allegedly stolen over the past four years, and Albanian authorities have already arrested 16 central bank employees in the case.

Fullani, 59, was appointed governor in 2004, and is serving his second seven-year term.

Greek PM expresses his concerns to Rama about the “nationalist Tcham trumpeting”


By Albanian Correspondent  /   05/09/2014  /

Tirana, September 5, 2014/ Independent Balkan News Agency

Prime Minister Edi Rama met in Wales with the Prime Minister of Greece, Antonis Samaras, upon the request of the latter. The meeting has been held in the framework of the NATO summit, which started on Thursday in Wales (Great Britain). Delegations of both countries are participating in the NATO summit.

Prime minister Samaras was accompanied in this meeting by the foreign Minister, Evangelos Venizelos and the Defense minister, Dimitris Avramopoulos. Meanwhile, Rama was accompanied by the Foreign minister, Ditmir Buashti and the Prime Minister’s advisor, Endri Fuga.

The Prime Minister’s office officially informs that the meeting discussed respective issues that relate to the relations between the two countries, underlining the readiness to further develop them.

The meetings has also discussed the administrative territorial reform, which was not accepted by the Greek minority and  PBDNJ, which defends its rights, although his party is part of the governing coalition.

Samaras has demanded the personal intervention of Mr. Rama “to address issues that emerged in Himara following the administrative reform” and also address “the nationalist Tcham trumpeting”. This request comes a few days after PDIU (Party for Justice, Integration and Unity), which defends the rights of the Tcham community, has approached the majority, as it’s expected to leave the opposition front.

The Greek Prime Minister said in the meeting with Rama, that respect toward human rights is part of the process of EU accession.

The second issue relates to the abrogated pact for the sea border. Prime Minister Samaras has expressed the stand of the Greek side that this issue must be solved based on international law.

On his part, Mr. Rama has declared that he’s aware of “the sensitivity of the Greek Prime Minister on the issue of the minority”. Rama said that “he personally guarantees the respect of human rights”. Mr. Rama also told to his Greek counterpart that “there has never existed any intention to harm the Greek minority”.

Rama emphasized the will of the Albanian government to offer a new dynamic to the bilateral cooperation in the spirit of partnership and good neighboring relations and in the framework of regional incentives, in line with the new reality in the region.

In this meeting, the Albanian Prime Minister referred to the dangers coming from the outbreak of religious fundamentalism in the region. He also underlined the cooperation between the two police forces in tackling crime. /ibna/
- See more at: http://www.balkaneu.com/greek-pm-expresses-concerns-rama-nationalist-tcham-trumpeting/#sthash.5ef7KoOK.dpuf

Jihadist bought Italian visas in Kosovo
30/08/2014


Jihadist bought Italian visas in Kosovo The visa scandal at the Italian embassy in Prishtina, which has involved the son of the former Kosovo President Rugova, Uke Rugova, has taken bigger proportions beyond the Adriatic, by putting in motion the police forces.

Italian media report that three  jihadist have bought visa for 3500 Euros and entered Italy normally.

It seems unbelievable, but it is true. Italian police are working to find these persons in their country.

One of them has been reported dead in an explosion in Iraq, while there is no sign for the two others, according to Italian media.

The investigation started from the Kosovo Eulex and was continued by the Rome Prosecutin, which, according to the Italian media, was held secret because it involved several officials.

This includes the former Italian ambassador in Prishtina, who has not resulted under investigation so far, but was fired right after the scandal.

Italian authorities are working to find traces of the jihadists, whose whereabouts remain unknown

DP will boycott the Parliament again
30/08/2014

DP will boycott the Parliament again
The biggest opposition party will be absent this Monday in Parliament, with the start of the new session.

The seats of the Democratic Party will be empty, a stance warned by the DP leader a few days ago.

"There is a decision taken by the DP in July 10th, after a physical attack against the opposition, an act for which the DP accused Prime Minister Rama of trying to intimidate the opposition", Basha declared.

The other decision will not change the first one. The same forces say for Top Channel that the opposition thinks that the Prime Minister's behavior with the opposition and independent institutions has not changed.

The opposition's absence in Parliament seems to be no surprise for the Prime Minister, who gave his version of why they were boycotting.

"There are no efforts to intimidate the opposition. The opposition has started a self-humiliating process, a self-victimization process, because they don't have a strategy, a platform or a project. The opposition has a problem and that problem is not us", Rama declared,

Not having enough votes to go against the majority, and having a Prime Minister who has claimed to not
"turn into the nanny of the opposition" by inviting them in Parliament or to be part of the local elections, the DP seems to be expecting a difficult political season.

Greek lawmaker gets jail leave for city seat

Associated Press By DEREK GATOPOULOS and PETROS GIANNAKOURIS
3 hours ago
 Parliament member Ilias Kasidiaris, second left, participates in a swearing in ceremony in Athens, on Friday, Aug 29, 2014. Jailed spokesman of Greece’s extreme right Golden Party Kasidiaris has been granted a brief leave from prison to take up his seat on Athens’ new city council, after the party won 16 percent of the capital’s vote in May municipal elections. Golden Dawn, an ultranationalist party of Neo-Nazi origins, has seen its support soar during Greece’s financial crisis. Nine of its 18 lawmakers are currently in prison, awaiting trial for alleged criminal activity. (AP Photo/Petros Giannakouris)

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ATHENS, Greece (AP) — The jailed spokesman of Greece's extreme right Golden Party was been granted a brief leave from prison on Friday to take up his seat on Athens' new city council, after the party won 16 percent of the capital's vote capital in May municipal elections.

Parliament member Ilias Kasidiaris, who was jailed last month on illegal firearms charges, ran as a candidate for Athens mayor in the May 18-25 poll.

Police escorted the 33-year-old Kasidiaris on Friday to a municipal amphitheater where center-left Mayor Giorgos Kaminis was sworn in for a second five-year term.

Golden Dawn supporters gathered outside, briefly challenging a police cordon and chanting "Greece belongs to Greeks," while party opponents also held separate demonstration that ended peacefully.

Golden Dawn, an ultranationalist party of neo-Nazi origins, has seen its support soar during Greece's financial crisis. Nine of its 18 lawmakers are in prison, awaiting trial for alleged criminal activity.

"We wanted to put the thieves in jail, but they got to us first. It doesn't matter though, because Greece always wins in the end," Kasidiaris said while being escorted into the building by plainclothes police officers, who flanked him throughout the swearing-in ceremony.

Left-wing city council member Petros Constantinou said authorities shouldn't have granted Kasidiaris prison leave.

"I will fight for a city of democracy, freedom and solidarity, without neo-Nazis and racism," he said.

Rival protests by supporters and opponents of Golden Dawn have been held in other parts of the country this week as other municipal councils were sworn in.

In Thessaloniki, Greece's second-largest city, re-elected Mayor Yiannis Boutaris attended the city ceremony Thursday with a copy of a Nazi badge used to identify Jews pinned to his jacket, in an apparent protest against Golden Dawn members elected to his council.

42-year-old builder executed with explosive in Vlora


28/08/2014

42-year-old builder executed with explosive A 42-year-old builder from Vlore, Isuf Bajrami, died today after a bomb was placed under his car, and a 19-year-old girl who was in the car with him is hospitalized in critical conditions.

The vehicle exploded this morning at 07:14, went in flames and kept moving for some meters until it crashed against the wall of a house.

Passerby citizens were able to remove the girl, severely burned, while the driver remained inside.

The explosive was placed under the driver’s seat, and the blast has even damaged the windows of nearby buildings.

The victim had already escaped a bomb murder attempt. Police suspects that this is retaliation, since exactly one year ago, his brother was victim of a similar murder attempt at the same place. His 40-year-old brother escaped with a few bruises, because the explosive was placed at the vehicle’s motor and he was already outside the car when it went off.

“The president cannot have 24 heads of communes from the Democratic Party and tell them what documents they should prepare for the Constitutional Court”, Fino declared.

The majority did the same thing at the Commission of Security, in which they rejected the law that returned the Police Law. These decisions will be finalized this Monday.

All Presidential decrees rejected
29/08/2014

All Presidential decrees rejected Both the rejection of all Presidential decrees and the boycott of the opposition were no surprise at the Commission of Laws.

What attracted attention was the preparation of the majority MPs to argue that their stance was based only on the Constitution and regulation, and that it was not political, since the opposition accused the decision of anti-constitutional. This claim was rejected by the Chairman of the Commission of Laws.

“Article 32 says it very clear. The permanent commissions meet even before the session”, Xhafaj declared.

The majroity says that this means that the rejection of the President’s decrees is valid, and to show that this is not a political stance, they argued that the President has not found any constitutional problem for returning the laws.

Socialist Party MP, Armand Subashi: “The President’s reasons for rejecting the laws do not stand”.

The Chairman of the Commission of Laws compared two different stances held by the Prseident, one that finds anti-constitutional his legal obligation to appoint the vice chairman of the High Council of Justice, and one of the members elected by the Parliament.

Xhafaj referred to a declaration of the President, two years ago, mentioned on Top Channel’s program “Top Story”.

“The tradition has always been that the vice chairman of institutions should come from the Parliament, for balance. In 2012 the President shared the same opinion with what we are doing today with the law, and which is the real constitutional spirit”, Xhafaj declared.

One of the rejected decrees was the one that required a review of the territorial reform, an occasion for the former Chairman of the Commission, Bashkim Fino, to make an open accusation against the President.

“The president cannot have 24 heads of communes from the Democratic Party and tell them what documents they should prepare for the Constitutional Court”, Fino declared.

The majority did the same thing at the Commission of Security, in which they rejected the law that returned the Police Law. These decisions will be finalized this Monday.

Albania offers weapons for Kurds in Iraq


Albania offers weapons for Kurds in Iraq Seven Western Governments and Albania have promised to provide weapons and ammunition for the Kurdish forces that are fighting against the ISIS militants in Iraq.

The news was made public by the Pentagon Chief, Chuck Hagel, who said that these countries are working in parallel with the USA.

Albania, Canada, Croatia, Denmark, Italy, France and Great Britain are giving their maximal efforts for helping the Kurdish forces.

The supplies include ammunition for light weapons, since the Kurdish forces have demanded more weapons for facing the attacks of the jihadists.

The Spokesperson for the Pentagon, John Kirby, told journalists that Albania and Britain have started preparing supplies for the Kurdish people in Iraq.

Army Helicopter blocked in Dukagjin, Northern Albania


Helicopter blocked in Dukagjin A police helicopter has been blocked on the ground in the Megulla village, Pult commune, Dukagjin district.

The helicopter was shot during the second day of the anti-cannabis operation, and the pilot was able to land it on the ground. Now it is being guarded by the Special Forces, until it will be removed.

After removing 90.000 plants of cannabis in Pult, the police has moved to the Temal commune, a very deep mountainous area.

Police has also seized automatic weapons and ammunition in the Brucaj village of the same commune, together with 5 kilograms of marijuana.

The authorities arrested Leke Thani, resident of the Plan village in the Pult commune. He is suspected of having shot the police helicopter on 22 August 2014, and of cultivating the parcels.

Cannabis plantations destroyed in Gjirokaster

The Gjirokaster police has destroyed 300 plants of cannabis in the Kraha village, Tepelena, and arrested four people as cultivators.

Three citizens are being prosecuted for opposing the police during the operation, Demo Shehu, Faik Qata and Hasan Ajdini, and after police found cannabis inside their vegetable plantations.

Three women of this village are also being prosecuted for trying to stop the police from making the arrest.

The Lezhe police is looking for citizen Nikolle Uksani, after finding 167 plants of cannabis at his property.

Summit for Balkan in Berlin
28/08/2014
 
Summit for Balkan in Berlin All countries of the region gathered today in Berlin to establish a new milestone regarding their relations with the EU.

Our reporter in Berlin, Muhamed Veliu, says that this new and important chapter has been organized through the Balkan Conference under the care of the German Chancellor, Angela Merkel.

The Conference will have economic and diplomatic discussions and a meeting of Merkel with the seven Prime Ministers of Western Balkans.

The EU president, Manuel Barroso, is also part of the meeting between Merkel and Western Balkan Prime Ministers.

Merkel has underlined the need to intensify the cooperation between the EU and the region.

“There are many things that can be done together. For this we need to intensify the relations between our countries”, Merkel declared, valuing the fact that Balkan lives in peace today, after the wars of the past.

There will be a press release with 18 points after the meeting, held by the Chancellor, President Barroso and Prime Minister Rama.

This important event started with the meeting of Economic Development ministers and representatives of the EU, for seeing the opportunity of advancing the infrastructure projects, the most important of which is the Blue Corridor that starts in Croatia and ends in Greece, including the projects in energy and railway transportation.

Before the meeting of the Foreign Ministers, the Chief of German Diploamcy, Steinmeier, declared that “this conference underlines the fact that Germany is being involved with higher dedication for the entire region. It proves our confirmation for the European perspective and that of all Western Balkan countries.

PHOTO OF THE DAY

HIMARA COMMUNITY HOLD ANNUAL MEETING IN HIMARA REGION

Stopping illegal constructions
26/08/2014
 
Stopping illegal constructions The Interior Minister, Saimir Tahiri, declared that anyone who builds illegally and every company that offers services to them will be criminally prosecuted.

The Interior Minister appealed builders, workers and transporters that if they will offer their services to an illegal building, they will face legal consequences.

The State Police will investigate the assets of illegl buildrs. “The Police will administer all construction permits given by local governments and all legalization practices. Every construction will go under the police inspection, and any illegal activity will be prosecuted, and the assets of the builders will be audited”, Tahiri underlined.

Tahiri appeals citizens to call 129 for any illegal construction.

DP: Government is allowing environmental destruction
 
“The Prime Minister declared yesterday that crime against environment is like a murder. We are reporting today a murder 100 meters from the Prime Minister’s house”.

The DP has vowed to report what they call cases of giving selective construction permits to people close with the government. According to the Democratic Party, this is the case of a construction in Surrel, Dajti commune.

“This construction is being made by the closest person to the Minister, Erion Veliaj, 100 meters from the new house of the Prime Minister. These hills had trees three months ago, but now they have another look”, declared Ervin Salianji, coordinator for legal assistance at the DP.

The DP reported as propaganda the public determination of Prime Minister Rama to not allow illegal constructions.

“The residents have complained and have found a deaf ear. The DP will report ths selective demolition of buildings, and every construction made with the blessing and protection of the Prime Minister. This is the Rama standard”, he declared.

Himarioton Lobby, a special interest in the State Department 

Continue the efforts of Himarioton Lobby of USA, for the territorial reform in Albania 

Himara - Lukovo and Provincial Autonomy, is in the right track



State Department Meeting 8.22.2014

A new chapter has begun in HSA's efforts on behalf of the Himarra community in both the United States and Albania, as it meets with Stephen Banks, Deputy Director, Office of South Central Europe, and Benjamin Rinaker, Albania Desk Officer, to discuss the recent Albanian territorial reform draft-law. Working with Andy Manatos of the public policy firm Manatos and Manatos, HSA was able to present to the Department of State a fresh perspective as to some of the underlying issues behind the Albanian government's drive for inclusion of Vranisht in a territorial alignment with Himarra and Lukovo.

The Himarrioton Society of America remains firm in its oppostion to the current draft-law map, and encourages the Albanian government to take progressive steps in line with international norms, including the European Charter of Local Autonomy, and return for vote a territorial map that respects the will of its citizens, including the the will of the citizens of Himarra. HSA supports Himarra and Lukovo as the only alignment which respects the rights of the local populace. The Department of State was receptive to the information provided, and additional discussions concerned Himarra's land and property issues.

Defense Minister: Greece and US Have Strategic Defense Cooperation

Avramopoulos_HagelDefense cooperation between the United States and Greece has a strategic and essential character, Defense Minister Dimitris Avramopoulos said after a meeting with his American counterpart Chuck Hagel.

“We had the opportunity, along with my American counterpart, to confirm once again the really excellent level of the Greek-American defense cooperation. Today, we essentially proceeded to the finalization of critical issues referring to the road map of the American defense cooperation with our country and give solutions to outstanding issues,” Avramopoulos stressed after the meeting.



The Greek Defense Minister underlined that this was his third visit to the Pentagon and Washington during his two terms in the Ministry.

Avramopoulos said that they discussed “the burning geopolitical issues of our region, the geostrategic role of Greece as a country of stability and security in the wider region, as well as the role Greece can undertake in the name of international law.”

Both officials agreed that “today, more than ever, the defense cooperation between the United States and Greece has a strategic and substantial character. We will have the opportunity to discuss these issues again, on a multilateral level, within the framework of the NATO meeting in Wales, in early September.”

According to Avramopoulos, Greece is gradually exiting from the crisis and becomes, once again, a major pillar of stability in a region that has passed the threshold of the most crucial phase of its modern history. “The Greek government is giving a daily struggle to overcome the crisis so that a promising horizon will open for the Greek people and the country,” he concluded.

- See more at: http://usa.greekreporter.com/2014/08/22/defense-minister-greece-and-us-have-strategic-defense-cooperation/#sthash.wCHEt24n.dpuf

Government suspends local government construction permits 
22/08/2014


The government has suspended all construction permits until 2015, when the new territorial division enters in effect.

Prime Minister Edi Rama declared from the National Council of Territory that this decision aims to stop the destruction of the territory, as result of barbarian permits that are given by the local government.

“This brings the necessity to suspend all permits approved by the National Council of Territory, in order to protect the national and public interest bfore the private interests that have caused all kind of damages, without taking anything in consideration, for the darkest of reasons. We will suspend all new development permits from all local authorities until after the elections of 2015”, Rama declared.

Prime Minister Rama said that to not stop the country’s progress during this time, the local government may give permits only for constructions that increase tourism, agriculture and the production industry.

To stop any speculation, the approval will be made by the National Council of Territory. Every permit will be considered as invalid and will be prosecuted.

Rama said that the government is determined to end the environmental massacre by punishing any abuser.

“We will not have situations when the inspector comes, demolishes the illegal construction, and after he goes away the construction continues. For these cases, there is only one end: the prison cell”, Rama declared.

Magnitude 5.1 earthquake rocks holidaymakers in Halkidiki, Greece

Magnitude 5.1 earthquake rocks holidaymakers in Halkidiki, Greece
A magnitude 5.1 earthquake rocked the area of Halkidiki, near Thessaloniki, Greece at 04:27:54.70 UTC and 7.27 a.m. local time on Friday. The epicenter was located in the undersea region west of the Athos peninsula, 110 km east-southeast of Thessaloniki.

Five minutes earlier, a magnitude 4.1 tremor was felt, whereas more post-seismic activity was felt at 7.33 a.m.

No damages or injuries have been reported with scientists stating that the quake was superficial with a focal depth of 24 km.

Nonetheless, seismologists warn the locals to expect aftershocks. These can be less violent but strong enough to do additional damage to weakened structures in the first hours, days, weeks or even months after the quake. They warn people in the zone to look for and extinguish small fires that are a common hazard after an earthquake and warn of care when driving as well as to anticipate traffic light outages.
Копирано от standartnews.com

President Nishani returns the territorial reform
22/08/2014
 
Nishani returns the territorial reform As expected, the Albanian President, Bujar Nishani, did not approve the territorial reform. The President returned it for a review in Parliament and gave three arguments.

The first argument says that the Parliament did not consult the local unit leaders, saying that this has been verified by the letters received from them.

“I come to this conclusion after a widely discussed analyze with local government leaders, with whom we share the same opinion that this law was not transparent”, Nishani declared.

The second argument is decentralization. This was a condition set by the DP to become part of the reform, and the president mentions it in another way:

“The lower the number of local units, the bigger they become and the more are damaged the power decentralization principles, which are sanctioned by Article 13 fo the Albanian Constitution”, Nishani says.

In the third argument, the President says that the territorial reform was preceded by the amends of two other laws, such as the law for the organization and functionality of the local government. But the President sees as even more important reforming the electoral law, which has not been mentioned by the political factor.

The president says that the territorial reform should have been made together with the Electoral Code amends, which is is imperative, according to Nishani, before the local elections