EU: Bosnia, Albania Need to Work More for Visa Free Travel

Brussels 23 April 2010 By Gjeraqina Tuhina


European CommissionBalkan Insight has obtained a copy of an EU assessment of the progress made by Albania and Bosnia in the implementation of the roadmap for visa liberalisation, which indicates that whilst both countries have made progress in meeting benchmarks, more effort is needed.

Although there is a chance that Albania and Bosnia and Herzegovina might receive a positive recommendation from Brussels on the implementation of a visa free travel regime, Tirana and Sarajevo should not rest on their laurels as more work is needed before agreement is reached.

Without further progress, the two countries may well have to wait longer and will probably not enjoy visa free travel in time for the summer holidays, as they had initially hoped. The report, prepared by EU experts, guages the level of progress of both Albania and Bosnia and Herzegovina in meeting the necessary requirements for the visa liberalisation process.

The European Commission was expected to deliver a positive recommendation at the end of May or the beginning of June but according to the experts’ report, further conditions will need to be met before such approval can be given.

The report was sent to EU member states last Friday and it underlines that both countries have met the “majority of benchmarks from the roadmap” that would enable them to be put on the “White Schengen” list - countries whose citizens do not require a visa to travel within the zone.

Last year, both countries were judged to have failed to meet the necessary conditions and were excluded from first wave countries in the region, Macedonia, Montenegro and Serbia which were added to the “White Schengen” list. ....

more see;

http://www.balkaninsight.com/en/main/analysis/27572/

TERRORISTS, "OLD" AND "NEW"

Greek authorities, benefiting from an incident similar to the one that led police to discover the 17 November terrorist gang in 2002, have swiftly rounded up six suspects who belong, police say, to the "new generation" of Greek terrorists. The arrests came in the wake of a shootout in early March which resulted in the killing by police of a suspected terrorist, Lambros Foundas. An investigation of Foundas's unobtrusive but, as it turned out, quite busy underground past and present did yield enough leads to guide the anti-terrorist squad, authorities claim, directly to 17 November's successor terror gang, Revolutionary Struggle. Active since 2003, Revolutionary Struggle moved quickly beyond what "old" Greek terrorist were able or willing to do. For the first time in Greek domestic terrorism annals, large ANFO bombs exploded in the middle of Athens causing serious damage but thankfully no casualties. Revolutionary Struggle fired military rifles at police with complete abandon. In January 2007, a Revolutionary Struggle "stick" launched an anti-tank rocket at the American embassy in Athens -- causing little damage but establishing strong symbolic credentials with Greek and foreign security and intelligence agencies..... more see: www.rieas.gr

Albanian PM: Kosovo factor of stability

TIRANA - Albanian Prime Minister Sali Berisha said that “independent Kosovo has become an essential factor for stability and peace in the Balkans”

He said that the participation of Serbs in the last Kosovo elections is further proof of a high level of democratic standards achieved in Kosovo.

According to his cabinet, “during a meeting with Kosovo Foreign Minister Skender Hyseni in Tirana the two officials talked about expanding and deepening the already excellent relations between Albania and Kosovo in all fields, especially in economy, trade, culture and Euro-Atlantic integrations”.

Berisha proposed that a feasibility study should begin for a large national project of building a railway between “the two countries”.

Hyseni informed Berisha of the activities and measures of the Kosovo government and all other institutions in Priština, said reports.

Greece, ready to recognize minorities!

In recognition of dangerous roads or even Turkish Macedonians minority in Greece, leading a curious correspondence between the Commissioner for Human Rights, Council of Europe Thomas Hamarmpergk and ministers Mich. Christohoides. The Commissioner says that we should resolve the matter of the citizens it claims live in Greece and abroad have been deprived of Greek citizenship under Article 19 of the same name code.

In the same letter, the Commissioner stated that a discussion he had with George Papandreou on the issue of recognition of minorities in Greece and the necessity of signing the Convention of the Council of State for Minorities, Papandreou replied that it is consistent that the signature This contract is a "positive tool"!

Chrisochoïdis and C. Kastanidis is anything but prevent its minorities. They say, however, that the only recognized under international treaties minority in Greece is the Muslim minority in Thrace, but add: It is ongoing processes of the decision of the ECHR on the "Turkish Union of Xanthi" and pending further consideration to applications for recognition of three Muslim groups in the region of Komotini.

Recalled that the same commissioner during the three years 2006 - 2009 had sent similar letters to the then Minister Pr. Pavlopoulos, who refused to answer, just anticipating the risk if such an open dialogue with him ...

more see: http://www.paron.gr/v3/new.php?id=53134&colid=&catid=42&dt=2010-04-18%200:0:0

Kosovo police to patrol border with Albania

KFOR commander Markus Bentler says international peacekeeping forces would cede control over the Albanian border to the Kosovo police, KPS, late in April.

After meeting with U.S. Adm. Mark Fitzgerald, chief of NATO's Joint Forces Command Naples, Bentler said KFOR would continue to transfer responsibilities to the Kosovo police as part of the withdrawal of KFOR from the border area.

Bentler said this would be performed soon with the border zone toward Albania, and added that KFOR believed the Kosovo police to be increasingly prepared, professional and efficient.

He went on to say that the full transfer of authority would take place on April 28.

The KFOR commander stated that the transfer of border control competency to the Kosovo police would continue in other areas, but that there were no deadlines and that each country would be considered as a separate case. He did not comment on the possibility for the Kosovo police to soon take control over the administrative line with Serbia proper.

We are cooperating with Serbia on preserving security in that area of the border zone, Bentler said.

Adm. Fitzgerald stated that the transfer of authority to Kosovo institutions was an indication of progress in Kosovo. “We do not want to wait until the last moment to transfer the competencies, but to do it while KFOR still has a strong presence, so that we can supervise, assist and advise,” he said.

Fitzgerald arrived in Kosovo on April 19. A visit by members of the NATO Military Committee, scheduled for the same day, was canceled due to air traffic problems.

Albania's SP decides to ramp up protests

19/04/2010

TIRANA, Albania -- The main opposition Socialist Party (SP) says it plans to hold more protests against the government and in support of "revealing the truth about the 2009 general elections".

The decision, backed on Sunday (April 18th) at the party's congress, came less than two months after the SP ended a complete boycott of parliament staged for months over the government's refusal to open ballot boxes and investigate the June 2009 elections.

"We will continue to protests to give freedom to the people, not tyranny," SP leader Edi Rama said on Sunday. They will start on April 30th. The SP also presented a strategy to strengthen the economy.

Kosovo: Kurti Doesn't Show, Trial Postponed Again

Pristina | 16 April 2010 | Petrit Collaku

Albin Kurti, leader of Vetevendosje, says his movement could take part in elections

Kosovo police failed to bring Vetevendosje [Self-determination] leader Albin Kurti to the District Court of Pristina today. As a result Kurti's trial was postponed yet again; it scheduled to resume Monday, April 19.

EULEX, the EU rule-of-law mission, also said that the appointed ex officio lawyers did not show up at the courthouse, thereby violating their official duties.

“The court will issue a new order to compel Albin Kurti to be present for the next hearing,” the EULEX press release reads.

“The court will send the papers to the Kosovo Bar Association for the necessary steps to be taken in order to address the disciplinary infringements which were committed during the hearing.”

The trial has already been postponed on a number of occasions. Kurti was not present at yesterday’s hearing either, and the trial was pushed to today.

Vetevendosje activists claim that Kurti is not hiding and that he is continuing to work normally. This was the seventh attempt of the court to bring Kurti to trial.

The Prosecution is represented by a prosecutor from the Special Prosecution Office.

Three of the top ranking EU officials in Kosovo, Pieter Feith, the EU Special Representative in Kosovo; Yves de Kermabon, the Head of Mission EULEX Kosovo; and Renzo Daviddi, the Head of EC Liasion Office to Kosovo, issued a statement today condemning the attack on Kurti's former defence attorney, who was egged while entering the courtroom yesterday to tender his resignation.

In the statement: the three officials said: “We strongly condemn the attack yesterday on the lawyer in the Albin Kurti case, Mr. Avni Gjakova.

“It is vitally important for the rule of law that institutions and those who have the duty to work within them are able to work without political interference, disruption or violence. Respect for institutions and those who serve in them is a fundamental principle of the rule of law in a democratic society and a core European value.

“We call upon local authorities to protect the independence of the judiciary as part of the consolidation of the rule of law and advancing Kosovo’s progress toward a European future.”

Police finds on terrorist group

A car whose luggage compartment contained weapons, hard electronic computer discs, forged identity cards and many thousands of euros in cash, as well as two apartments that were possibly safehouses of the terrorist organisation "Revolutionary Struggle" are the new findings of the Greek police in investigations being carried out on the specific case.

Police chief Eleftherios Economou made relevant announcements on the findings on Thursday evening, beginning his briefing by referring to the vehicle found and which belongs to one of the defendants.

Greeks in New York Ready for Sunday’s Big Parade

Greek News

Philip Christopher, Ernie Anastos, Colonel Matthew Bogdanos, along with Boy & Girl Scouts of America the Grand Marshals.

New York.- The 2010 Greek Independence Day Parade will be held Sunday April 18, 2010. This is the 72nd annual parade celebration of Hellenic heritage and freedom, commemorating the 189th anniversary of the Greek declaration of independence, March 25, 1821.

The Parade has become a New York City tradition since 1938, and attracts a vast number of New York marchers and participants. It is a culmination of a month long celebration of Greek heritage are hosted and organized by the Federation of Hellenic Society of Greater New York. Dinners, a White House gathering, a beauty pageant, City Hall celebrations, a ceremonial flag raising and numerous other activities all lead up to the Parade on Fifth Ave, commencing from the Pierre Hotel.

The Greek government will be represented by vice minister of Foreign Affairs Spyros Kouvelis, while it is expected the Cypriot government to be represented by a cabinet member. In addition 8 members of the Greek Parliament are expected to attend.

Kadare Cancels Greek Visit Following Racist Chants

Tirana | 16 April 2010 |

Ismail Kadare

Renowned Albanian writer Ismail Kadare has canceled a visit to Greece in the wake of racist chants against Albanians sung during a military parade in Athens at the end of March, local media reported on Thursday. Kadare was scheduled to hold a speech on April 19 at the Megaro Mousikis University in Athens. In a letter to the university Kadare wrote that, although he was a great admirer of Greek literature and culture, he does not find any trace of such culture in the recent military parade.

“Being aware of the recent events in Athens expressing racism against Albanians I am canceling my visit to your country,” Kadare is cited as writing by local broadcaster Top-Channel TV. “You know very well my admiration for Greek literature and culture, but I believe that in this climate that lacks civility, my visit would be premature,” Kadare adds.

Albania pushes for EU talks despite political deadlock at home

AUGUSTIN PALOKAJ AND SVETLANA JOVANOVSKA

Albania, whose Socialist opposition has been boycotting parliament for a year now, is pressing ahead with efforts to eventually secure EU membership.

Prime Minister Sali Berisha on Wednesday (14 April) submitted answers to a questionnaire that will enable the European Commission to issue to member states an opinion on the Western Balkan country's application to join the EU.

Tirana is pursuing EU membership

EU enlargement chief Stefan Füle told Mr Berisha that "the timing of the opinion will largely depend on the quality and completeness of the information". He told journalists that before the next local elections in Albania, due next spring, the Commission would deliver a "balanced and fair assessment"of the situation, paying particular attention to the country's fulfillment of the political criteria for admission.

International observers from the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe have concluded that general elections in June 2009 "did not fully realise Albania's potential to adhere to the highest standards for democratic elections".

In an interview with WAZ before meeting Mr Berisha, Mr Füle made it clear that the country needs to improve the functioning of its political system.He suggested that the commission might have additional questions once it studies the current answers.

"There are issues- and one particular - that makes the whole process more difficult and it is the stability of political institutions in Albania," Mr Fule said."I visited recently Albania and expressed deep concerns about the parliament still not being able to play fully its role."

The centerpiece of the commission's opinion will be Albania's compliance with the so-called Copenhagen criteria, which make a country eligible to join the EU. These criteria include having institutions to preserve democratic governance and human rights, a functioning market economy, and readiness to meet the obligations of EU membership. Member states, which have the final say on the issue, differ on the Albania's readiness.

European Council President Herman Van Rompuy tried to reassure Mr Berisha calling his government's answers to the commission questionnaire a "historical document". But he warned that the EU is following domestic political developments with "interest and attention."

The commission is also studying answers by Montenegro, which, according to diplomats, stands a good chance of winning a positive opinion and possibly candidate status this year.

Member states are still expected to start the same procedure with Serbia, which applied for EU

membership last year. The application was not dealt with yet because of its failure to fully cooperate with The Hague war crimes tribunal.

Sllavo Macedonians want Bulgarian passports before visa liberalization out of pragmatism, says Branko Crvenkovski

The same request, they made the Albanian politicians in Tirana: Before the liberalized visa, then become Population Count.

Branko Crvenkovski, FYROM president between 2004 and 2009, thinks the Slavo Macedonians who want to get a Bulgarian passport after the visa liberalization has sharply dropped, FYROM media reported.

Speaking at a joint press conference with Bulgarian Socialist Party Chairman Sergey Stanishev, Branko Crvenkovski said: “I cite your question and I do not agree with it: ‘Many citizens returned to their roots after Bulgaria joined the EU.’ Why did not they return before Bulgaria’s joining the EU?

Why in other cases in the region when a country joins the EU, do citizens of other countries want to have a passport to travel freely? Why after the visa liberalization, which was adopted as a measure in reference to FYROM, Serbia and Montenegro, did suddenly this process decrease radically? The people are pragmatic; they want to travel, get educated, trained, have business relations,” said Crvenkovski.

The same request, they made the Albanian politicians in Tirana: Before the liberalized visa, then become Population Count.

Tirana believes that the Albanians will be "sold" to the Greek passport if the General Population Count will be done before Europe offers to Albania for visa liberalization.

Albania PM Faces Criticism over Political Stalemate

| 15 April 2010 | Gjeraqina Tuhina, Besar Likmeta

Sali Berisha

Albanian Prime Minister Sali Berisha has delivered in Brussels a copy of his country's completed European Union pre-accession questionnaire, and faced criticism over the country's deadlocked political situation from the EU enlargement commissioner.

Berisha delivered the questionnaire, which concerns a country's readiness to join the bloc, to EU Enlargement Commissioner Stefan Fuele.

“I used the opportunity of our meeting to reiterate the concern over the lack of progress in normalizing the political situation in Albania,” Fuele said late on Wednesday.

“Parliamentary work does not comply with EU standards and democratic institutions,” he added.

Albania’s right-wing government, headed by Berisha, and the opposition have been locked in a dispute over the results of the June 28 parliamentary elections, which were narrowly won by Berisha's party. The opposition has been boycotting parliament and has called for massive protests against the government.

The proper functioning of state institutions is among the key conditions for countries aiming to join the EU. While the present political situation will be reflected in the European Commission's evaluation of Albania's responses to the EU questionnaire, Fuele noted that he hoped that this element would be included “in the past tense”.

“A lot is indeed at stake, and I pointed out that there is a certain window of opportunity for all those involved who have a share of responsibility to find a solution in such a way that the opinion refers to this issue in the past tense,” Fuele said.

Albania's responses to the EU pre-accession questionnaire are included in the several hundred page long document that the prime minister delivered to Fuele, calling it “the largest book printed in Albanian history”.

About 1,200 Albanian experts and more than 30 international experts were involved in completing the questionnaire.

According to Fuele, the date when the Commission might publish its opinion on Albania's responses will depend on the “quality and completeness of the information”.

The enlargement commissioner promised that the opinion will be fair and objective but warned that Brussels will give particular attention to Copenhagen Criteria and obligations from the Stabilisation and Association Agreement.

More than seven months after parliamentary elections were held in Albania, the country still has not managed to solve the political crisis it faces and establish a properly functioning parliament.

The Socialist led opposition claims that the election was marred by fraud and seeks a recount, arguing that complete transparency in the electoral process is necessary in order to avoid irregularities in the future – a constant problem over the last two decades as Albania emerged from the Stalinist regime of former dictator Enver Hoxha.

Meanwhile, the majority refuses the recount, contending that the courts have already denied the Socialists such a petition and that parliament would be overstepping its position and taking on the role of the judiciary if it moved to recount ballots.

The Socialists, who have boycotted parliament for more than six months because of the disagreement and who have returned only to discuss the investigative parliamentary commission that would address the elections, have threatened to depose the government by protest if their requests are not met from the majority.

President of Albania, orders the construction of cemeteries for Greek Soldiers

Albania’s President, Bamir Topi (foto) ratified the agreement between Greece and Albania on the “research, identification and burial of Greek soldiers who died in Albania during the Greek – Italian war in 1940-41”

According to the relevant agreement, signed in Tirana on the 19th of November 2008, two cemeteries (and memorials) will be constructed in Klisura and Korce, in honor of Greek soldiers killed during the Greek – Italian war.

Samaras, Papandreou discuss economy

While in Albania, never has made meeting of politic leaderships, during the last years

Main opposition New Democracy (ND) party leader Antonis Samaras met with Prime Minister George Papandreou at the Maximos Mansion on Wednesday afternoon and discussed developments on the economy.

"I was briefed, I briefed, we discussed in depth the crucial aspects of the economic crisis. I believe that with the suitable mixture of economic policy we can cope by ourselves," Samaras said after the meeting.

Asked by the press on the activation of Greece's support plan, Samaras said "the less we speak the better it is for the economy."

It is very interesting to note that, recently the Albanian media, disseminate "success of the government" for Albania's accession to the European Union, although the country is a deep political crisis and political forces interact with each other, including the Albanian opposition.

The example of Greece, the country which is in financial crisis, not missing the prime minister's meetings with the chairman of the opposition.

Ilir Meta pact with the party of the Chams

TIRANA - The Chams party, which has two MPs in Parliament has decided to cooperate with the SMI. The Agreement on Parliamentary Cooperation between the two parties, was signed today between the chairman of SMI, Ilir Meta and PDU's chairman, Shpetim Idrizi.

After the agreement two party leaders have declared that the respective parties have more in common goals, that integrative processes of the country, respect for human rights and the problem of "Cham case".

"Both parties have priority as the country's integration," said Meta, who stressed that the rights, must be recognized for the Cham population.

According to Meta, the collaboration will be extended further and will in Parliament and outside it, while the same Idrizi is declared, asserting that cooperation between parties would be counterproductive.

"We will meet all political forces, but point out that LSI was the only political force that the chame issue has been on its agenda," said Idrizi.

Ta Nea: Turkey accuses 3 Greek nationals of espionage

Turkish court brought accusations over espionage to three Greek nationals from the Muslim minority on the Kos Island, Greek "Ta Nea" newspaper reports.

According to the indictment, the three, who were detained on December 2009, used to provide information to the Greek secret services for USD 300 to ISD 2,000 monthly.

The three Greeks are threatened to up to 20 years in jail. Court hearings on the case continue.

Vecernje Novosti, Serbia: Georgios Papandreou – PM winner

Belgrade. Until recently he used to be just ‘son and grandson of great politicians’ but now Georgios Papandreou is ‘the winner in the Brussels battle’, the steersman of the Greek ship, which is still far from a safe quay, Serbian Vecernje Novosti newspaper writes, adding that it is absurd to call the person who is prime minister of the most indebted country in the EU a winner.

“Six months ago Papandreou took the hot potato, inheriting the irresponsible and corrupted rightist government. Suffering defeats, one after another, it finally seemed as if he is one step closer to victory, or at least to the real chance of thinking about it.

Despite German Chancellor Angela Merkel and German financial newspapers, Brussels sent the news for acceptable mechanism for European aid for Greece. It is not perfect credit but anyway beggars cannot be choosers. The International Monetary Fund, which is ready to pay for the euro area entry through Greece, is not rushing too much and soon the total sum of EUR 45 billion will be poured into the empty state funds.

Meanwhile, Greek police is neutralizing the Revolutionary Struggle terrorist organization in the country.Trade unions’ leaders realized the significance of the moment and the need to help the prime minister and the strikes were stopped.
The tourist season is drawing near and will bring fresh money to fill in at least part of the budget gaps.

In Istanbul, Turkish Alternate Foreign Minister Dimitris Droutsas is foreseeing ‘new age’ of the Greek-Turkish relations.A solution to the two decades old name dispute between Athens and Skopje is also coming into view.In Cyprus, where Papanreou is on a visit at the moment, we hear about ‘the unity and progress of the two communities’ more and more often,” the Vecernje Novosti writes.

Albanian President visit Skopje

Albanian President Bamir Topi will visit FYROM at the invitation of his counterpart Gjorge Ivanov, Albanian media informs.

Topi’s agenda also envisages meeting with the FYROM Parliament Speaker Trajko Veljanovksi and Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski.

Topi will also make a statement before the MPs.

ALBANIA-EU: BERISHA, GREAT PROGRESS AND MEMBERSHIP CERTAIN

(ANSAmed) - BRUSSELS -
After years of large-scale transformations, for Albania, EU membership is not a pipedream, but a ''future certainty''. Premier Sali Berisha, who at a conference in Brussels on the future of Albania in the EU - organised at European Parliament by the Schuman Foundation - is convinced of this, and took stock of the achievements in the last five years which have changed the face of the country. ''I do not have a membership date yet,'' said the prime minister while speaking to journalists, ''but it will happen before I might suppose''.

The strong points of the government presented in Brussels by Berisha are currently the systematic fight against corruption and crime, fiscal reform and salary increases, in addition to the growth of the social budget and privatisations. All factors that have contributed to maintaining Albania's economic growth faced with the global crisis. ''Today - said the prime minister - exports are recovering, as are profits and bank loans''. ''In the EU membership process,'' explained Berisha, ''reforms for Albanian citizens have been started that provide the chance for people to have services and prospects equal to those of European citizens.'' According to Berisha ''now Albania is one of the safest countries, with the crime rate that is lower than the EU average''.

more see: http://www.ansamed.info/en/top/ME11.XAM16432.html

Ruling Albanian party threatens with parliamentary boycott

The Democratic Union for Integration (DUI) is straining the rhetoric towards its coalitional partner in the FYROM government VMRO-DPMNE, the "Dnevnik" daily reports.
DUI made it clear that it will block the adoption of the amendments to the Constitution unless its request for decisions at the Constitutional Court to be passed under Badinter principle is accepted.

After this statement of party’s leader Ali Ahmeti, on Tuesday DUI MPs left the Committee on Political System, as the materials for the sitting have not been translated in Albanian.

VMRO-DPMNE refused to comment on Ahmeti’s threats. Party’s chairperson Trajko Veljanoski declared he does not believe that DUI members will really block the work of the parliament.

Albania Submits Completed EU Questionnaire

Tirana | 13 April 2010 |

Sali Berisha

Albanian Prime Minister Sali Berisha announced on Tuesday that the government had filed the EU questionnaire on the country’s readiness to join the bloc.

“We hope to receive an objective evaluation from those who review it,” Berisha said during a cabinet meeting.

The Albanian premier used the occasion to invite the opposition to contribute to the country's EU accession process.

“I call on the opposition to contribute with all its potential to the country's [EU] integration process,” Berisha added.

The 384 page document, which includes over 2,200 questions, is considered an important formal step on Albania’s road to the EU.

The completion of the questionnaire has required the involvement of all of the Albanian public administration in the last three months, including government agencies and the judiciary.

Albania received the 35 chapter questionnaire in mid-December; it was handed directly to Berisha by the head of the EU delegation in Tirana, Helmut Lohan.

Albania to destroy old ammunition by 2013

TIRANA, Albania -- Defence Minister Arben Imami said on Monday (April 12th) that the country plans to have all old ammunition destroyed by 2013 under a new dismantling effort in Elbasan and Polican, financed by Denmark. In need of dismantling are more than 90,000 tonnes of ammunition inherited from the communist regime.

After a ceremony to inaugurate the effort, Danish Ambassador Karsten Ankjaer Jensen said that by destroying the ammunition, Albania will separate itself from its past. More than two years ago, an explosion at a dismantling depot in Gerdec outside of Tirana, killed 26 people and left hundreds homeless.

Euro-Zone Nations Offer $40 Billion to Greece

Greece’s European partners say they are offering Greece euro30 billion ($40 billion) in loans this year to help ease its debt crisis.
Olli Rehn, the EU monetary affairs chief, says the International Monetary Fund will make a “substantial contribution” as well, probably about euro10 billion.
He says the funds will be available if Greece makes a formal request for financial assistance, something it has not yet done.

Rehn said Sunday at an emergency video conference, the finance ministers of the 16-eurozone countries agreed that the loans would carry an interest rate of about five per cent – less than commercial market rates but more than beneficiaries of IMF usually pay.
Greece’s debt crisis has hiked borrowing costs for the Athens government and slammed Europe’s common currency.

No risk of new war in BiH, says Serbian president

The information spread in the world that the situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina is critical and that there is a risk of new war is not true but ill-intentioned, Serbian President Boris Tadic said, as cited by the "Vecernje Novosti" daily.

“US Deputy Secretary of State James Steinberg, whom I met in Belgrade, agreed on this. Serbia does not back Bosnia and Herzegovina’s division but the strict observation of the Dayton Agreement,” Tadic remarked.

The Serbian head of state also pointed out that Steinberg has assured him that the US does not want to impose its decisions in Bosnia and Herzegovina but to encourage the dialog and the political process.

FYROM: Albanian parties want all children to study Albanian in their regions

Albanian political parties in FYROM have requested uniformity in the study of Albanian language, "Alfa" television station reports.
In this way Albanian is set to become obligatory for all children in the regions where ethnic Albanians are a majority.

Earlier today the parties of the ethnic Albanians announced their opposition to the obligatory requirement education ministry requested that first graders in all schools in the country should study sllavo Macedonian.

Democratic Union for Integration, New Democracy and Democratic Party of Albanians, regardless of whether they are in power or in opposition, insist on making Albanian an official language, alongside sllavo Macedonian.

Topalli says Albania, Kosovo ties are a model for region

TIRANA, Albania -- Relations between Albania and Kosovo are excellent and should serve as a model of co-operation in the Balkans, Parliament Speaker Jozefina Topalli said on Thursday (April 8th) after meeting with Kosovo counterpart Jakup Krasniqi in Tirana.

"There are 56 agreements between the two parliaments and five more are in the process," Topalli said. She added that Kosovo's independence is irreversible and that more countries will be recognising it. Krasniqi also met with President Bamir Topi, agreeing that Albania and Kosovo have a common EU integration goal and should co-operate in achieving it.

Some time ago, Jakup Kransiqi stated that "the two countries, Albania and Kosovo" must join together with other territories included in FYROM, Montenegro, and Greece.

NATO Warship LIMNOS Disrupts Pirates

NATO Warship LIMNOS Disrupts Pirates

Greek warship HS LIMNOS, who is part of NATO’s counter piracy mission, codenamed OCEAN SHIELD, successfully intercepted and disrupted a pirate gang in the Indian Ocean yesterday.

The NATO warship had been on patrol to the north of the Seychelles when pirates in a large whaler towing 2 smaller skiffs, was spotted by a Swedish maritime patrol aircraft. As HS LIMNOS approached the vessel, the ship’s helicopter was launched and observed the pirates throwing weapons, ladders and other piracy equipment into the sea.

On arrival, the ship’s boarding party rapidly took control of the 10 pirates. A thorough search of the boats was then conducted to ensure the pirates could no longer pose a threat to merchant shipping in the area.

HS LIMNOS Operations officer, Lt P Sarantinos GRN said, “Being vigilant, decisive, and adaptive – these are the fundamental pillars of our operations in this area. NATO is determined to deter and disrupt the pirate threat and HS LIMNOS is ready to prove it, wherever and whenever it is required.”

http://www.manw.nato.int/page_operation_ocean_shield.aspx

Byzantine and Post – Byzantine manuscripts in Albania

An exhibition of manuscripts on parchment and paper from the collection of the Albanian State’s Central Archive is organized in Tirana by the Hellenic Foundation of Culture, the Albanian State’s Archive, the Cultural Foundation of the National Bank of Greece and the Orthodox Autocephalous Church of Albania.

The exhibition presents 33 manuscripts from the 6th until the 19th century: original manuscripts (lectionaries, gospels, etc.) dated from 150 to 1500 years. These decorated remains of the Byzantine and Post-Byzantine Greek script are accompanied by photographic material, through which interior leaves of manuscripts are exposed; specimens of writing are indicated as well as the different colours of inks, the binding and its decoration.

“The manuscripts of the Albanian State’s Central Archive” – according to the accompanying publication – “include texts offering information about the scholarly and popular culture of the region, creations of esthetic and artistic value (miniatures, artistic initial letters, silver covers, etc.) and informative material about the importance of renowned Albanian cities in the past, such as Korçe (Koritsa), Berat (Berati), Durres (Dyrrhachion), Gjirokaster (Argyrokastron), Vlore (Avlona), etc.

The organizing committee of the exhibition consists of the members:

Agamemnon Tselikas, Director of the Centre for History and Paleography of the National Bank of Greece, Cultural Foundation
Dr. Nevila Nika, General Director of the General Directorate of Albanian Archives
George Giakoumis, Director of the Centre of the Hellenic Foundation for Culture in Tirana
P. Ioustinos Efthimiadis, archimandrite of the Orthodox Autocephalous Church of Albania

Opening on April 23, 2010, at 18:30 hrs
April 23 – May 22, 2010, open daily 10:00 – 13:00 and 17:00 – 19:30 hrs.
Exhibition hall of the Albanian State’s Central Archive
Rruga “Jordan Misja” – Tirana Tel/Fax:+355 4 22 79 59.
info@hfc-tirana.com dpa@albarchive.gov.al

Albania Press Review - April 9, 2010

Albanian newspapers

SHQIP

Spanish Ambassador to Albania Manuel Montobio has called on the opposition and government to find a compromise solution for an investigation into the June 28 parliamentary elections.

GAZETA SHQIPTARE

Socialist MP Taulant Balla has been barred from parliamentary hearings for two weeks after accusing Prime Minister Sali Berisha of being a thief.

KOHA JONE

Socialist leader Edi Rama has called on his supporters in the city of Durres to overthrow the government of Prime Minister Sali Berisha.

Drugs produced in Albania seized in BiH

On Thursday the authorities in Bosnia and Herzegovina seized 155 kg of marihuana grown in Albania, Makfax news agency reports.

The drugs were found on the Bosnian-Montenegrin border in a truck. Seven people – citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina and Montenegro – were detained.

On the basis of the initial information the Bosnian police believe the drug came from Albania and it was illegally smuggled through Montenegro.

Serbian replica with Albanian writer Koco Danaj "Albanian arsonists need to be pacified"

Večernje novosti

BELGRADE -- Minister for Kosovo Goran Bogdanović commented on ideas of the so-called Greater Albania in an interview for a Belgrade daily. Goran Bogdanović (Tanjug, file) Should someone truly try to implement Koca Danaj's platform or similar ideas of greater Albania, the consequences would be hard to predict and would have enormous impact on the security and peace in the region as a whole, he told Večernje Novosti. "It is about time the international community responded seriously and firmly, silenced the propagators of such ideas and take the matches from the hands of arsonists who want to set the entire region on fire again," Bogdanović was quoted as saying. He was reacting to the "platform on natural Albania" – where Danaj urges for a solution to the Albanian issue in the Balkans by the year 2013, that would see the setting up a new Albanian state with more territory. According to Danaj, this new state would include, besides Albania and Kosovo, more parts Serbia, but also Macedonia, Greece and Montenegro, where ethnic Albanians live, and who would decide about this in a referendum. more see: www.b92.net

Albania opposition urges supporters to protest

Opposition Socialist Party leader Edi Rama delivers his address during a meeting in Tirana. AP photo.

Albanian Socialist leader Edi Rama has called on his party's supporters to unleash a series of protests that will culminate in a major rally in Tirana on April 30, the Albanian media reported on Wednesday.

Speaking at the opening of the Socialist Party’s National Assembly, Rama accused the right-wing government of Prime Minister Sali Berisha of being responsible “for the democratic and economic crisis” that the country finds itself in, adding the protest was the only option left.

“This regime without a future is holding Albania hostage with the weapons of the past,” Rama told the delegates in his opening statement, which was also broadcasted live by local media.

The wave of protests that the Socialists plan to launch throughout the country aim to force early elections; the opposition party has spent the past nine months contesting the results of the June 28 parliamentary poll, which they consider to be marred by fraud, and boycotting parliament.

“Every day a protest in every city and on April 30 we will meet up in Tirana,” Rama said. “United we will bring this regime to the end that it deserves; a regime which everyday gives people less hope and fewer jobs,” he added.

In the last few days Socialist leaders have intensified their public calls for protests to overthrow the government, which comes amid a tense political climate fueled by accusations of corruption and personal jibes coming from both sides.

Albania Approves Eurobond Sale

Tirana

The Albanian government approved on Wednesday the sale of €300 million in Eurobonds.

Speaking during a meeting of the Council of Ministers, Prime Minister Sali Berisha described the Eurobond issuance as an important step.

“This is testimony of an important financial development for the country,” Berisha said.

This is Albania’s second attempt to emit Eurobonds after an effort in early 2009 was abandoned due to the global financial crisis, forcing the Ministry of Finance to opt for a costly syndicated loan.

The Ministry selected two international banks in March 2009 from which it borrowed €250 million.

“We intend to refinance this loan in the next few years, after the global turmoil calms,” Ridvan Bode, Albania’s minister of finance, said at the time.

The loan was intended to finance the Rreshen-Kalimash highway which links Albania with Kosovo, a project with a price tag of €1 billion which was marred by allegations of corruption.

The Group of Lawyers for slogans against the parade on March 25, 2010 contingent Unit Underwater Missions of the Coast Guard

The Group of Lawyers for slogans against the parade on March 25, 2010 contingent Unit Underwater Missions of the Coast Guard

A Group of Lawyers for the Rights of Refugees and Migrants on 1.4.2010 filed a complaint report against members of the contingent Unit Underwater Missions of the Coast Guard, which participated in the parade of March 25, 2010 in Athens and all other person. This detachment, after leaving the podium official Syntagma Square, the University went on the road and St. Constantine in Athens structured form and pace of the parade, shouting racist slogans and intolerance against other neighborhoods in our country ethnicities.

In doing this we had to proceed in the absence of relevant institutional intervention, despite the forecasts of Law 927/1979, which prohibits the public expression of racist ideas and provides for the automatic prosecution. We consider it unacceptable, members of special forces of the Greek security forces received special training and even have responsibility including the guarding of borders and therefore the admission of refugees to be possessed by such ideas and even to express the public in a particular public appearance as a body during a national anniversary event.

FYROM: Conflicts to raise if no early elections are called, says DPA leader

Early elections should be called in FYROM after June, said leader of the Democratic Party of Albanians (DPA) Menduh Thaci, Slavo Macedonian Vecer daily reports.

“There will be either conflict or early elections. DPA wants early elections, which to be called in a peaceful and democratic manner, but if this situation continues, there will be conflicts,” Thaci said.

In his words, much is said about the disagreements between the sllavo Macedonians and Albanians, but in fact there are also disagreements among the sllavo Macedonians themselves.

“Closing the perspective for membership in the EU and NATO eliminated the chance for Macedonia’s existence. Early elections is the best decision at the moment,” Menduh Thaci remarked.

Deputy chairperson of the Democratic Union for Integration (DUI) Teuta Arifi, on the other hand, said that party’s leader, Ali Ahmeti, is the only person in FYROM who knows how to start and end up a war.

First Greeks inaugurate visa-free travel to U.S.

ΑΝΑ-ΜPA/Passengers leaving Athens on Delta Airlines' Wednesday morning flight for New York were no doubt surprised when U.S. Ambassador to Athens Daniel Speckhard suddenly arrived at the airline's check-in desk to check on their progress, surrounded by a bevy of reporters and cameras. Several among them were also surprised to learn that theirs was the first flight leaving Athens on which Greek citizens were able travel to the United States without a visa.

Greece was formally added to the U.S. Visa Waiver Program on Monday, allowing Greeks to forgo the often laborious process of getting a visa via the embassy. Those wanting to visit the U.S. can now simply fill in an online application called the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) that gives them clearance to travel.

U.S. Deputy Secretary of State starts touring the Balkans

U.S. Deputy Secretary of State James Steinberg arrives in Ljubljana on Tuesday, Slovenian STA news agency reports.Slovenia is the first country in Steinberg’s brief Balkan tour, which includes also Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, and Kosovo.

The media report that the deputy secretary of state is coming to the Balkans to confirm the U.S. administration’s support for the political stabilization and economic strengthening in the region.

In Sarajevo Steinberg will join Spanish Foreign Minister Miguel Angel Moratinos, whose country is holding the rotating EU presidency.

FYROM: Greece takes step forward in name dispute

Skopje. Greece has cornered Macedonia, but the government in Skopje does not want to understand that the name dispute cannot be solved at a meeting with UN mediator Mathew Nimirz, but at another level, Slavo Macedonian Utrinski Vesnik daily comments.

The newspaper says that Athens took a step forward in the row through Deputy Foreign Minister Dimitris Droutsas’s statement that Greece is prepared to accept the name Northern Macedonia, proving it is a constructive side.

“In the recent weeks it was proven that silence is not always good,” the daily writes, noting Droutsas did what European diplomats had been advising FYROM for a long time – to propose a solution to the name dispute publicly.

Albania: Police bust group for Greek visa fraud

Police in the eastern town of Korca have busted a criminal network that assisted locals in obtaining Greek visas for money.

The Economic Crime Office on Monday (April 5th) arrested a representative of a Roma association in the town, while two other women are under investigation. The alleged scheme allegedly charged each person who wanted to get a Greek visa between 1,500 and 2,000 euros.

Several weeks ago, police in Korca arrested a representative of the Greek organisation OMONIA for visa fraud.

"Negotiations on Greater Albania"

"The Albanian question in the Balkans should be resolved by the end of 2013, creating a country that embraces all areas where Albanians live. The above is based on a platform developed by Koço Danay, former cabinet director of the Albanian Prime Minister, published yesterday in the Journal of Montenegro "Vijesti", as stated by the Serbian newspaper Politika.

Koco Danay says that the new Albanian state would cover the territories of neighboring countries, which will not happen with bloodshed Albanians.

According to former Albanian PM Adviser "The Natural Greater Albania includes the Kosovo part of Serbia, Montenegro, Macedonia and Greece, where many Albanian communities live." As stated in 200 pages 'piece' of Danay, representatives of the Albanians in neighboring countries must have the right to vote in any vote if they want to be part of the new state. Also, that the strategy set up a new state would be based on dialogue with everyone, without bias and past decisions.

In the publication noted that the Koço Danay is Orthodox Christian, and originated from the southern part of Albania and worked two years in the Albanian Government as an advisor to former Prime Minister Fatos Nano and Panteli Majko, also was indeed, consultant of Foreign Minister Ilir Meta.

Albania unlikely to make EU visa-free list by summer

AUGUSTIN PALOKAJ

Promises by the Albanian government to its citizens that they will be able from this summer onward to travel to most EU countries without a visa are increasingly unlikely to be kept.

The European Commission has not yet presented its report about the fulfilment of benchmarks for visa liberalisation by Albania and Bosnia. People from the two Western Balkan countries still need a visa to visit countries in the Schengen area after the EU last year lifted visas for Macedonia, Montenegro and Serbia. Kosovo has not been not included in the process.

Tirana apartment block: Bosnia is likely to get an EU visa-free deal before Albania (Photo: David Dufresne)

According to EU sources, the commission report will be drawn up during the course of this month and a possible recommendation will not be presented before June.

Under the EU's Lisbon Treaty, approval by the European Parliament is also needed to lift the visa regime for the two Balkan countries. The EP is clearly inclined to do so but will need at least two months to take the necessary formal steps. At the end of the procedure, it will be up to EU member states to take the final decision.

EU diplomats expect the commission experts in their report in April to confirm that Albania and Bosnia made progress in meeting conditions required for visa liberalisation. But they will probably stop short of saying that both countries fully meet all criteria......

more see:

http://waz.euobserver.com/887/29816

Albanian opposition calls for anti-gov't protests

Albania's opposition Socialist Party has called for daily anti-government protests over alleged vote rigging in last year's election and "bad governing" by Prime Minister Sali Berisha's Democratic Party.

Socialist leader Edi Rama urged Albanians Monday to protest over "stolen votes" and the "ruining of the country's and each family's economy."The Socialists are planning a big rally in the capital, Tirana, for April 30.The opposition's call for a partial recount of votes cast in general elections in June has been rejected by Berisha.

The Socialists hold 65 seats in the 140-member parliament. Berisha and his allies hold 75.The European Union has warned the political crisis could hurt Albania's EU membership bid.

The Kosovo Stability process

KFOR will be leaving the majority Serb Kosovo municipality of Štrpce

Štrpce Municipal President Zvonko Mihajlović told the Beta news agency that KFOR will we patrolling the municipality, but said that this is not enough because the situation in the municipality is far from normal.

He said that the decision to remove the KFOR troops from Štrpce is a farce that wants to show that the rule of law exists in Kosovo, that security is up to par, and that Serbs can move freely.

“The whole story regarding the transfer of authority from UNMIK to the temporary institutions and the exiting of KFOR from Štrpce and the closing of check points, has the goal of showing the situation the way it is not in reality, that everything is under control, that rule of law exists and rights exist, that Serbs can move freely, but that is not the truth,” Mihajlović said.

He said that Serbs cannot do anything to change the decision, because it was made by the American KFOR officials.

“It is not a move in a good direction, because Serbs still have limited freedom of movement,” he said, reminding that KFOR’s presence offered the residents security.

Mihajlović said that the Polish-Ukrainian KFOR contingent had a large role in the region and was a factor of stability and a guarantee that there will not be any escalations in the conflicts.

He said that KFOR’s role cannot be taken over by police because it is not capable of dealing with the greater challenges.

There are 16 villages in the municipality of Štrpce in which about 12,00 Serbs and 3,500 Albanians live.

The municipality has parallel governments—the one elected according to Serbian elections is headed by Mihajlović, while the municipal administration that recognizes the Kosovo government-organized elections is headed by Bratislav Nikolić.

Over 1 tone of marihuana seized in Albania, Italy

The Italian police seized over 900kg of marihuana from Albania in the region of the Italian town of Lece; over 200kg of marihuana were seized in Albania, Albanian media reported. The director of the Italian police Hisni Burgai announced at news conference the Albanian police had given information about a motor boat, which was transporting marihuana from Albania to Italy.

Three Albanians were detained.
The Albanian police had seized about 1 tone of marihuana for about a month, Burgai said. On Friday morning, the police seized 280kg of the drug at the exit of the village of Lazaret, in the region of the town of Girokastro. Four Albanians were arrested.

The agency recalls the Albanian Prime Minister Sali Berisa insisted recently the police to take serious actions against drug producers in the country. He said further the drug smuggling influences negatively the European integration of the country and the process of visa liberalization, which can be seen from the numerous reactions of Brussels an the international organizations.