NATO Supreme Commander in Europe Admiral James Stavridis, Visits Tirana

At a routine meeting of the "Adriatic Charter " in Albania, was going rapidly NATOSupreme Commander in Europe, James Stavridis.

The meeting, was held in the presence of senior officers of the region, and was greeted by the President of Albania Bamir Topi.

The agenda focused on stability and peace in the Balkans, and the reforms to NATO and EU, of the allied countries.

PBDNJ-Dule.mpg

Albanian Constitutional Court decision, will send to Court of Strasbourg

Union Party for Human Rights said the decision of the Constitutional Court declares that nationality and it will bring this matter to the Court of  Strasbourg..
While the Constitutional Court decision on December 1, the latter abolished the ethnic term certificates of its citizens.
In the decision, panels argues why the notion of "nationality" is incompatible with the constitution when its state charter law does not provide a clear definition of its meaning.
In assessing the Court, "nationality" as defined concept without, unlike other components of civil law does not create a link that translates the mutual rights and duties of natural persons and state.

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MP LAOS Ioannis Korantis: The Constitutional Court of Albania completely removes the term "nationality"

GREEK PARLIAMENTARY QUESTION: Ref 2490/8-12-2011

To: Foreign Minister Stavros Dimas Topic: The Constitutional Court of Albania completely removes the term "nationality"

As broadcasts from Tirana, the Albanian Constitutional Court, in a decision, completely abolished the term "nationality" or the term "according to the nationality of the parents' of the civil status acts. The Court held that these terms as defined in the relevant articles of the Civil Code, violate the principle of legal certainty and is contrary to the Constitution. Therefore the document "On civil status" that will issue the relevant Services will refer only to nationality, name and place of origin.

This development affects directly the Greek National Minority in Northern Epirus, depriving the Greeks the right to self-determination and therefore removing the Greek Minority, can prove or claim the credit.

Given that this decision adds to a long series of actions of the Albanian state and political institutions that aim to eliminate the Greek Minority, what steps it intends to take to reverse this negative trend? Will especially beyond the bilateral representations to Tirana to refer the matter, including the Commission on Human Rights, UN, EU and Council of Europe?

Joannis Korantis

European Parliament calls for the final time, to join politically, Albania

European parliamentary group, has reminded Tirana the membership, at a time that signals from Europe, say the opposite.

Meeting of the European Union, was not optimistic for the south western Balkan countries, for a membership in the European Union. However, the parliamentary group of the European Union to Albania, the last hope has given to Albania.

However, the Albanian politics, the message of Europe has difficulties to join. According to experts geopolitical future collision between the opposition Socialist Party and the Albanian government will be more critical battle for the future of Albania, which could also threaten the integrity of the state.

Dimas-Clinton meeting on sidelines of NATO summit

December 9, 2011 | Filed under: Featured News,Geopolitics

Foreign Minister Stavros Dimas had a meeting on Thursday with US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on the sidelines of the Nato meeting in Brussels.

According to foreign ministry spokesman Grigoris Delavekouras, the meeting was requested by Clinton, who repeated Washington’s support for Greece’s efforts to tackle the economic and debt crisis, underlining the American side’s respect for the efforts of the Greek people.

Dimas proposed a reactivation of the Greek-American economy and Trade Committee and they discussed the need to attract American investments to Greece.

In this context, they examined ways of improving Greece’s image abroad and ways to activate the huge potential of the Greek-American community in the US.

Their talks also touched on developments in the Balkans, the Fyrom name dispute, the situation in the Middle East and the Cyprus issue. (AMNA)

President: Without EU Serbia can sink into nationalism

Source: Tanjug

FRANKFURT, BELGRADE -- Serbian President Boris Tadić has warned that a delay and new conditions in the EU integration process increase the danger of new instability.

Boris Tadić (Tanjug, file)

He added that it also represented a threat that Serbia, and the Western Balkans alongside it, could once again sink into the darkness of nationalism and intolerance.
In a piece for Frankfurt-based daily Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, Tadić pointed out that EU membership was Serbia's strategic goal, just as Serbia's European orientation should be of strategic importance to the EU.

The Serbian president reminded that the country had fulfilled all earlier conditions in the EU accession process, which involved making some unpopular and difficult decisions, taking on great political responsibility and, in some cases, even a great personal risk.

“The question arises why Serbia is being pushed to the sidelines of contemporary historical processes and why the enormous political efforts, undertaken in order to make a clean break with the policies which led to the wars in the former Yugoslavia, are in advance condemned to failure and defeat? Will this not be too big a trial for the Serbian society and the fledgling Serbian democracy," he wondered in the text entitled “Serbia at a European Crossroads”.

“If Serbia is kept outside the EU, this will long be seen as evidence that the special system of values used to define Europe as a community is just an illusion of the eternal politics of the big and the small,” Tadić warned.

“Today more than ever, it is obvious that Serbia's European integration process depends not only on the readiness and ability to complete the social and economic reforms under way in the country, but also on to what extent the EU is ready to complete, in the foreseeable future, its mission of establishing a zone of peace, prosperity and stability on the whole European continent,” the president explained.

“Regardless of when Serbia and Europe will be ready for one another, Serbia will keep up the pace of social, political and economic reforms,” he pointed out.

Tadić recalled that the European Commission also positively assessed Serbia's reform efforts and results.

Albanian former spy chief Ilir Nazmi Kumbaro on the run in Britain

Albania's former intelligence chief is in hiding in Britain as he tries to dodge extradition to his homeland where he faces torture and kidnapping charges.

Former Albanian intelligence chief Ilir Nazmi Kumbaro is on the run (Picture: PA)

Ilir Nazmi Kumbaro was due to appear at Westminster magistrates’ court in London for an extradition hearing on Thursday but failed to attend.

The 58-year-old is accused of six offences of torture and abduction, including the kidnap of father of five Remzi Hoxha, who went missing in 1995.

He has left his home in Fulham, west London, and police believe he is being harboured by friends.

‘Although he does not pose a threat to members of the public, he is wanted in Albania,’ said Det Supt Pete Rance.

‘The seriousness of his alleged crimes is the reason we want to find him. This is a high-profile international investigation that has involved public expense in the UK.’

Kumbaro claimed asylum in Britain 15 years ago by posing as a Kosovan refugee. Using the name Shaqa Shatri, he was granted leave to remain and issued with a British passport.

He lived in a council house and his double life was only brought to an end in 2008 when he inadvertently used his real name to apply for welfare benefits.

Detectives, who had been looking for Kumbaro since June 2008 at the request of the Albanian government, were alerted and he was arrested three months later.

He has twice been granted bail since his capture despite objections from the Crown Prosecution Service which feared he may abscond.

Read more: http://www.metro.co.uk/news/884187-albanian-former-spy-chief-ilir-nazmi-kumbaro-on-the-run-in-britain#ixzz1fyCX5ECq

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Two Leaders of Violent Albanian Drug Gang Found Guilty in Manhattan Federal Court
Defendants Convicted of Two Murders, Three Kidnappings, Racketeering, and Other Offenses

U.S. Attorney’s Office December 07, 2011

Southern District of New York (212) 637-2600

Preet Bharara, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced that brothers BRUNO KRASNIQI and SAIMIR KRASNIQI, leaders of a violent Albanian organized crime group, were convicted yesterday of numerous crimes, including racketeering, murder, conspiracy to murder, kidnapping, narcotics trafficking, arson, robbery, extortion, obstruction of justice, interstate transportation of stolen narcotics, and possession and use of firearms. The KRASNIQIs were found guilty after a five-week jury trial presided over by U.S. District Judge Richard J. Holwell.
Manhattan U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara said: “Bruno and Saimir Krasniqi led one of the most brutal and violent organized crime groups in recent memory. In one six-month period, they committed two murders, two kidnappings, two drug robberies, and an arson. Today, nearly six years after the brutal murders they orchestrated, the jury’s swift verdict has brought the Krasniqis’ reign of terror to an end and the perpetrators of these vicious crimes to justice.”
According to the trial evidence and other documents filed in the case:
BRUNO KRASNIQI and SAIMIR KRASNIQI led a racketeering enterprise (the “Krasniqi Organization”) that engaged in murder, kidnapping, narcotics trafficking, extortion, robbery, arson, obstruction of justice, and interstate transportation of stolen goods. The Krasniqi Organization operated in New York, Michigan, and Connecticut, among other locations.
Among other offenses, BRUNO KRASNIQI and SAIMIR KRASNIQI were convicted of two separate homicides. On July 17, 2005, Erion Shehu, a member of a rival Albanian drug crew, was murdered outside a Queens café in a drive-by shooting carried out by the Krasniqi Organization. On the night of the murder, SAIMIR KRASNIQI parked in front of Shehu’s car, trapping him inside. BRUNO KRASNIQI and another member of the organization then shot Shehu approximately 11 times with a 9 mm semi-automatic handgun and a .22 caliber handgun equipped with a silencer. Shehu died of multiple gunshot wounds shortly thereafter.........

Austerity budget for the Greek Ministry of Defence

December 6, 2011 | Filed under: Army,Featured News

The budget of the Ministry of Defence for the year 2012 will amount to just 4.1 billion euros, down by 16.22% compared to 2011, said Minister of National Defence, Mr Avramopoulos, in the Parliament. Note that in 2011 the defense budget had an overall decrease of 19.40% compared to 2010, being 4.9 billion euros. In particular, for the following year (2012) there will be:

• a 6.15% reduction in salaries, totaling 2.14 billion euros or 52% of the total budget.
• a 5.46% reduction in the operational costs, touching for the first time after several years, an amount less than 1 billion euros, representing 23.7% of the total budget of the Ministry.
• a 37.5% reduction in the projected payments of acquisition programs, amounting to 1 billion, representing 24.3% * of the budget of the Ministry. This amount relates primarily to payments for armament programs of previous years and ongoing maintenance and supply of spare parts.

The Minister of National Defence also stated that the new structure of the Armed Forces, as designed by the General Staff and currently evaluated by the political leadership will play a leading role in saving resources for the Ministry and the Armed Forces and their more efficient operating. The announcements regarding the new structure are expected in early 2012.

Despite the budget reduction he stressed that “I assure you that the economic crisis has not reduced the reliability, the morale and strength of the army. The Greek Armed Forces are fully aware of their mission. “, he said

Regarding the armaments, the Minister said that the armament needs of our country, unlike other European countries, are mainly defensive and have a deterrent orientation. “We have to deal with an unstable environment in our region, which becomes even more fluid with developments in the Mediterranean, North Africa and the Middle East. In this sense, ensuring security and peace in our region is a prerequisite for the reduction of armaments”, he said.

Addressing to Turkey regarding the recent tension in the region he stated that “in connection with the intensification of military activity in the air and sea in the Aegean, especially after the opening of gas exploration in the EEZ of Cyprus, Greece does not threaten anyone or gets threatened by anyone. Our national rights, which are in accordance with international law are not negotiable. Nothing can change this reality.” He also called for Turkey to remove the Casus belli of the Turkish National Assembly as countries do not negotiate under the threat of war.

Source:mod.mil.gr

Statement by the NATO Secretary General on ICJ ruling

December 7, 2011 | Filed under: Geopolitics

I take note that the International Court of Justice has issued its ruling on a bilateral issue between Greece and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia¹.

The ruling does not affect the decision taken by NATO Allies at the Bucharest summit in 2008. We agreed that an invitation will be extended to the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia1 as soon as a mutually acceptable solution to the name issue has been reached. This decision was reiterated at subsequent summit and ministerial meetings.

Albania, Investigating high officials' assets

On the verge of the international day against corruption, in a meeting with students from the Law Faculty in Tirana, the head of the OSCE, Eugen Wollfarth, considered corruption in Albania as a diabolic plague with destruction impact on the Albanian society.

But who is to blame for the fact that despite the anti-corruption efforts, Albania is still burdened by these wounds that follow the democratic process in Albania? Wollfarth’s answer is simple: zero tolerance, starting from high rank officials.

“The clear commitment of the authorities for fighting corruption has not been always followed by a consequent implementation of the existing laws. There is needed a more convincing and more stable register of the court decisions’ history, and follow a harsher punitive policy for corruption, especially for high rank officials. Besides this, is the transparent treatment of the cases related with corruption, regardless the social status of the defendants, is a key indicator of the judicial independence. I can add that the full immunity of the Albanian high officials, including the judges, remains a main obstacle for efficient and successful investigation”, Wollfarth declared.

EU Conditions Albanian Membership On Reform

Written by: Balkan Insight December 7, 2011

By Besar Likmeta
“Albania has made limited progress in meeting the political criteria for membership and the 12 key priorities for the opening of accession negotiations,” the Council of Ministers said in Brussels.
“Further efforts are particularly required in key areas including the judiciary, the fight against organised crime and corruption and the protection of minorities as well as property rights,” it added.
Albania first applied for EU candidacy status in April 2009, but its bid was turned down for the second time in October.
The European Commission said not enough progress had been made in political dialogue, the fight against organized crime or against corruption.
Last year, the Commission issued 12 recommendations on policy areas that needed to be addressed with reforms in order for Tirana to obtain EU candidate status and open the door for a possible date for negotiations.
The Council of foreign ministers in Brussels, which is discussing the enlargement process in the Western Balkans among other issues, welcomed the recent start to dialogue in Tirana between the centre-right government and the centre-left opposition.
It underlined the need to overcome the stalemate that has dominated the Albanian domestic political scene.
“The Council encourages the government and the opposition to build on these recent positive developments, fully restoring and sustaining a constructive political dialogue, to support the proper functioning and the independence of key democratic institutions, notably the parliament and the judiciary,” the EU said.

The Himara NGO`s ready to protest for return all the properties

Himara NGOs of the region, warning to the Municipality of Himara, to interrupt the relationship, if the Project Plan for Development of the Region, will be approved without returned total properties to the successors residents of The Himara Region .

Meanwhile NGOs of Himara, calling on the Albanian government, to implement 12 points of the EU requirements, especially for the return of property.

Himara NGOs of the Region, "the Association Coast", "The Himara Community", "the Association of Tourism", and " The Association of Businessmen", placed on Monday, to consider the final decision-making of the Himara Municipality, as contrary the interest of the Himara Region, warning, for interruption of relationship with the local administration, and to define a new strategy, created in relations with the Albanian state, especially not to return under the Constitution, community property, including the properties of the Orthodox Church.

Himara NGOs of the Region, also call the American Embassy, as the funding of many projects to the Himara Municipality, follow with deep concern, recent decisions of The Municipality Council, particularly the approval of the Area Development Plan, without turning , in collaboration with the Albanian government, all properties, of auttokton community.

Thousands of American and European descent from the Region of Himara, expected to join a new decision, of the NGOs, to be sent a critical note, to the Albanian government, which has obligations determined by international agreements, especially with EU and USA , to return totally, the Himara community property.


Related:

Himara reforces NGO over Albanian Politics. Message of Washington to Tirana

Property prices rise in Albania as economic outlook improves

by Ray Clancy on December 6, 2011

Positive outlook for 2012 in Albanian property prices

Residential property prices in Albania have increased 10.3% year on year to the end of the third quarter as a number of economic pointers and figures indicate a positive outlook for next year.
The figures from Albania’s Central Bank also shows that the country’s Rental Price Index is also up with a 1.1% increase year on year.According to the budget bill passed by the Albanian parliament recently, Albania is predicted to see its budget deficit drop to 3% of GDP next year with economic growth reaching highs of around 4.3% despite the debt crisis currently affecting many countries. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) is predicting strong economic growth of 3.5% in Albania for 2012.
Travel guide Frommer’s has declared the Albanian Riviera as the Top Value Destination for 2012 according to its editors, authors, and experts from around the world. There was a 200% increase in tourists visiting the country between January and August this year compared to 2008.
The first 38 kilometre stretch of motorway linking Albania’s border directly to Kosovo’s capital Pristina was delivered ahead of schedule and within budget a few weeks ago. It was recently announced that a new €53 million loan from the EBRD has been agreed for the construction of two bypass roads in the south of the Albania.

‘With growth in the Balkan region predicted to be around four times higher than the 0.5% growth the European Union is expected to post next year, those wishing to invest in property will be making a sensible choice if they look in Albania’s direction,’ said Ravin Maharajah, partner of Lalzit Bay Resort & Spa, a five star luxury residential development located on Albania’s Adriatic coastline.‘Indeed, demand for property in Albania this year has been on the up and in light of 2012 predictions will no doubt continue as property hunters search for alternative options. For example, the international market is starting to wake up to Albania’s potential as a beach holiday destination which has generated excellent demand,’ he explained.

Maharajah believes that Albania has a good set of attributes to attract an increasing number of visitors and thus boost the rental potential of properties.

‘Albania’s coastline is its greatest asset with 295km of Adriatic coastline that runs from Montenegro down to Greece. It has gleaming white beaches, a rich history and is a land of legends and ancient civilizations. It is a nation where travellers will enjoy authentic traditions and cuisines, as well as a friendly welcome,’ he said.

New Greek consul in Korce

The Greek Consul in Korce, Janis Pedhiosis, held his first meeting with the head of the Korce District Council, marking his first public appearance after his mandate.

The new diplomat expressed his valuation for the relations between the two countries, and emphasized that his effort will focus strengthening the mutual relations between the two countries.

Although the new Greek Consul considered the relations between Greece and Albania as very strong, he refused to talk about other problems, saying that he didn’t expect the media presence in this introductory meeting with the head of the district.

Regardless his first mandate as Consul of Korce, Pedhiosis did not hesitate to mention his long diplomatic experience in our country. He declared that he initially knew Albania in 1997, when he worked at the Greek Embassy in Tirana, and later in 1999, when he was Consul of Gjirokaster, a post that he held for three years.

Tadić says EU "has no new conditions"

Source: Tanjug

KRAGUJEVAC -- President Boris Tadić said on Tuesday in Kragujevac, central Serbia, that the EU had no new conditions set for Serbia to become a candidate for membership.

Boris Tadić (Tanjug, file)

It is clear that we have not won the candidate status yet, and the optimism that gained ground since yesterday should be brought back to a sensible level, Tadić said and added that there is no reason for celebration yet because there is still work that needs to be done, and some new solutions in the dialogue with Priština can be reached by December 9.

It is in Serbia's interest to ensure Priština's participation in regional forums, but this does not entail recognition of Kosovo's independence and we will use this point as a guideline, Tadić noted and added that everything that is in keeping with Resolution 1244 and Serbia's Constitution and makes room for Priština's participation in regional forums will be acceptable for Serbia.

Tadić expressed hope that the solution would be found during the afternoon video conference between head of Belgrade's negotiating team Borislav Stefanović, EU mediator Robert Cooper and Priština's representatives.

He said that he had talks with several European officials, including High EU Representative Catherine Ashton and German officials, because they voiced serious remarks as to Serbia's EU candidate status.

Still, we need to bear in mind the fact that 26 EU member countries backed unconditional EU candidate status for Serbia and this is very important, the president said.

He added that the candidate status is important to Serbia for three main reasons.

The first reason lies in the fact that this would be an important step ahead of the initiation of accession talks, and it also represents a new qualification for Serbia in economic terms because such circumstances would make it easier for any potential investor to decide to invest their capital in the country.

The third reason is embodied in the prospect for attracting additional IPA funds which could then be invested in infrastructure, Tadić noted.

Albanian Troops to Stay on in Afghanistan

Foreign Minister Edmond Hoxhinasto has confirmed that Albanian troops will stay in Afghanistan beyond their planned withdrawal in 2014.

Besar Likmeta

Tirana

ISAF Military Convoy in Afghanistan | Photo by : Vernell Hall

Haxhinsto made the pledge to keep Albanian troops in the field at an international conference on Afghanistan in Bonn, Germany.

“Likewise, we will continue to offer practical support so that the Afghan authorities can take full responsibility for the security of their country,” he added.

Albania's contribution to the international security force in Afghanistan currently consists of 333 soldiers including a combat platoon serving in three locations.

Albanian troops were also involved in the US-led invasion of Iraq in 2003 and soldiers from the country stayed on to support the mission until December 2009.

In Iraq, Albania maintained a non-combat contingent of 200 personnel, stationed at Mosul Airport.

Along with Croatia, Albania joined NATO at the Strasbourg summit in April 2009.

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Tadić denounces extremists "on all sides"

Source: Tanjug

BELGRADE -- Boris Tadić says that when it comes to its EU candidate bid, Serbia is facing "a big problem" in the shape of extremists.

(Tanjug)

They could cause violence, said the Serbian president in Belgrade on Monday.

He also commented on Germany's position to say that Serbia would not have been made a candidate had the decision been take several days ago, and that he is still uncertain if Germany's position would change.

He also asserted that "the essence of the approach" of Germany regarding Serbia's ambition to join the EU changed "after the latest violence in Kosovo".

Tadić said that extremists "on both sides, Serb and (ethnic) Albanian, and even in the international community" could cause violence that would damage Serbia's interests.

"The problem is that I cannot influence all those who today hold responsibility in Kosovo and Metohija, but I am doing all I can so that violence is prevented, for people to reconcile and for a solution to be found for this great problem," said the president, and added that "with such issues it is often about unpopular decisions".

World Court rules against Greece in Macedonia case

By MIKE CORDER, Associated Press

THE HAGUE, Netherlands (AP) — The world court ruled Monday that Greece was wrong to block Macedonia's bid to join NATO in 2008 because of a long-running dispute over the fledgling country's use of the name Macedonia.

In a 15-1 ruling, the court found that Greece's veto breached a provisional 1995 deal under which Greece had agreed not to block Macedonia's membership in international organizations if it used the name "The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia," or FYROM, while the matter was submitted to further negotiations. More than 15 years later, mediation over the name is still ongoing.

The victory is partly symbolic, since the U.N.'s highest court did not fine Greece or even order it to refrain from similar moves against Macedonia in the future. But the ruling will make it politically difficult for Greece to block Macedonia's entry into NATO if it reapplies, and also lends moral weight to Macedonia's protests that Greece's moves to block it from joining the European Union are unfair.

The court said its own finding that Greece "has violated its obligation...(under) the interim accord, constitutes appropriate satisfaction," said presiding Judge Hisashi Owada, reading the written ruling.

The decision at the Hague court, formally known as International Court of Justice, does not resolve the fundamental dispute over the name, which although often seen as superficial by outsiders is a matter of deep national emotion and concern for both sides.............................

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5i4ryusl2AM-ITOm4wxgu-eqkWTtg?docId=ac3ea0d163da4d89a10d1d62dd044159

Biden: US ready to help Greece

5 Dec 2011

The United States will support Greece in these difficult times, US Vice-President Joe Biden told reporters ahead of a meeting with Greek Prime Minister Lucas Papademos on Monday, without spelling out any concrete help. "We stand with you in solidarity as you meet some difficult requirements of the IMF and European Union," Biden said. "We stand ready to help in every way we can." Papademos said he was confident Athens could count on the support of the United States. Biden was in Athens before EU leaders meet for a key summit on the debt crisis in Brussels on Friday. Asked what his message to Europe was, Biden said: "Hang in there." "With a lot of hard work and a little bit of luck, a year from now we will have not only weathered this crisis, but even be in a stronger position," he added. Earlier on Monday, Biden joked about bringing money to help Greece out of its deepest financial crisis in decades. Introducing a member of his delegation during a meeting with President Karolos Papoulias, Biden said: "This man represents the Treasury department. He's brought hundreds of millions of dollars." His comments drew laughs from both the Greek and US delegations. (Reuters)

Albanian Parliament: CEZ wants increased energy prices, its director, salary 66 000 euros per month

The deputy of Parliament, representatives of the opposition, denouncing the new scandal in Albania, where the population has no finances to pay for electricity.

CEZ long been calls for increased energy prices, which is bitterly opposed by the opposition, which is expressed today in the Assembly that, our country has the highest cost of electricity.

MP Erion Brace, said shocked by the fact that the director of CEZ, a Czech citizenship, which requires energy price rise, receives full 66 thousand euros per month.

"EUR 66000 per month salary of the director of CEZ! I want an answer as CEZ customer! What is this salary?? If a tax on wages paid this gentleman? How to pay, the people? ; these were the salaries and the expenses, are as the arguments to rising prices of energy sold to us! "Brace said in Parliament.

This statement has caused frustration that Parliament speaker Josefina Topalli, who said they should not be taken with personal details.

Superliga, dhunë në Laç - Top Channel Albania - News - Lajme

Albanian Football Superior League

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US: Greece a close friend

December 4, 2011 | Filed under: Featured News,Geopolitics

When US Vice-President Joe Biden’s visit to Greece was planned months ago, the trip was to shore up the embattled government of an old and trusted friend, then-premier George Papandreou. Alhough Papandreou has since been forced out of office, the confluence of US-Greece economic and geopolitical interests remains.

Despite Greece’s no longer being in the eye of the eurozone storm, its stabilisation remains part of the euro-rescue package, which in turn is of vital interest to the US economy and, of course, to President Barack Obama’s re-election campaign.

The geopolitical balances between Greece, Cyprus, Israel and Turkey will naturally figure prominently in Biden’s talks with Premier Lucas Papademos and President Karolos Papoulias.

The Cyprus-Israel alliance in exploiting the rich gas deposits in the southeastern Mediterranean, in concert with the American Noble Energy company, along with the emerging Greece-Israel partnership, have tipped the regional balances against Turkey for the first time in decades.

For Cyprus, the gas card should normally have been a significant factor in exacting concessions from Turkey in ongoing Cyprus settlement talks, since the Turkish-Cypriots have much to gain as participants in a unified federal state.

But there are indications that Washington may put the brakes on such a strategy, due to Turkey’s geopolitical importance. Moreover, the US is eager to mend ties between Turkey and Israel, which could again shift the regional balances.

Still, the emerging role of Cyprus and Greece in the regional energy grid – Greece is believed to have major oil and gas deposits south of Crete and near the island of Kastellorizo – can limit the geopolitical downgrading of Greece due to the financial crisis.

Biden’s national security advisor, Antony Blinken, and his international economic affairs advisor, Michael Froman, underlined that Biden will offer a vote of confidence in Greece’s fiscal adjustment efforts.

“We think it’s very important to show our ongoing support for Greece, for a close friend and partner, as it goes through a difficult time,” said Blinken, a distinguished foreign policy expert that has worked with Biden since his days on the Senate foreign relations committee, in a teleconference with journalists on November 28.

For his part, Froman described the fiscal and structural reforms in Greece’s EU-IMF programme as critical, noting that the “US very much recognises the sacrifices being made by the Greek people”.
At critical junctures, US support for the Greek bailout packages – both in the IMF and in Washington’s contacts with Berlin – has been decisive.

Beyond expressing American support for Greece in its efforts to survive the crisis, Blinken’s comments highlighted Turkey’s exceeding geopolitical importance for Washington.

From Ankara’s tough line against Syria to its troops in Afghanistan and its function as a role model for Middle Eastern countries, the national security adviser stressed that Washington is relying heavily on Turkey at a time of major upheaval in the Middle East and North Africa.

In contrast, nothing was mentioned of Greece’s geopolitical role, even in its Balkan backyard.

Biden’s visit will coincide with the December 5 International Court of Justice ruling on a petition by the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (Fyrom), charging that Athens blocked Skopje’s admission to Nato due to the dispute over its name with Greece.

Here, one can expect Biden to urge the parties to find a solution in stalled UN-sponsored talks, especially if reports of a ruling partially in Skopje’s favour are confirmed.

Source: athensnews.gr

Agreement on crossings “unacceptable”

Source: B92, Beta, Tanjug

KOSOVSKA MITROVICA -- The agreement between Belgrade and Priština is unacceptable to Kosovo Serbs, Kosovska Mitrovica Mayor Krstimir Pantić told B92.

Krstimir Pantić (Tanjug, file)

“From what we have heard from the media, the things that (Belgrade team chief) Borislav Stefanović agreed with the Kosovo Albanian delegation are unacceptable to Serbs in Kosovo and Metohija. The citizens are disappointed and angry with Mr. Stefanović,” he pointed out.
The Kosovska Mitrovica mayor explained that the Kosovo Serbs believed that the Serbian parliament should hold an emergency session so the MPs could discuss the agreements reached in Brussels.

“The barricades have not been built in order to prevent Serbia from getting the EU candidate status. Everybody knows that the Serbs set the barricades on the night of July 25 when Priština carried out a unilateral action aimed at establishing control in the north of the province and establishing so-called institutions of independent Kosovo. Therefore, the barricades are not directed against the Serbian government or its attempts to join the EU and they are not directed against KFOR or other international organizations but exclusively against the institutions of the so-called Republic of Kosovo. They will remain as long as there are attempts to establish the institutions of the so-called state of Kosovo. We are obligated to do so by the declaration passed by the Serbian parliament on July 31 and we will abide to the declaration as long as we can,” Pantić stressed.

“Heads of northern Kosovo municipalities, councilors and the Serbian people can make their decision whether to accept the agreements from Brussels only after they have received the original version of the agreement,” said Zvečan Mayor Dragiša Milović.

He pointed out that there would be no problems if the agreements were good for Serbia because it meant that they were good for Kosovo Serbs as well.

Milović said that there were many ambiguities regarding the Brussels agreements and stressed that Kosovo Serb representatives did not get to see any of the agreements and that Kosovo Serbs therefore had every reason to be suspicious.

Zubin Potok Mayor Slaviša Ristić has assessed that the Belgrade authorities have finally recognized Kosovo’s independence by accepting the agreement on the crossings.

Albanian Council of Ministers approves draft law “On Registration of Immovable Property”

The Council of Ministers approved today the draft law “On Registration of Immovable Property”, as proposed by the Ministry of Justice. PM Berisha presented the draft and appreciated the Register of Immovable Property as the second most important and fundamental register of the state following that of the registry office. PM Berisha announced that work of the Task Force on the Register is expected to be completed within next year. The Task Force is headed by the prime minister and is composed by ministers and main executives of the relevant agencies. The Register of Immovable Property will be followed up by reform of the Immovable Properties Registration Office. “There are already contracted major firms, - informed the prime minister- that are making the registration of the plots of land, digitalization and within next year the process will be completed. This is a process of vital importance, decisive for the cornerstones of the market and its stability. The government of Austria and the World Bank are constantly giving a worthy assistance. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Justice has proposed the reform of the Immovable Properties Registration Office, its management by a leading board composed by representatives of several institutions and its promotion into an institution dependent of the Ministry of Justice, but self-funded.” Under this law, emphasized the prime minister, the reform of the Immovable Properties Registration system gets completed and this consists “a very positive development and a major obligation in the contexts of the reforms as a whole”. related articles: Himara reforces NGO over Albanian Politics. Mesage of Washington to Tirana George Goro: Registration of properties on the southern coast of Albania faces difficulties

Serbian Foreign Minister Meets with Greek Counterpart

December 3, 2011

Serbian Minister of Foreign Affairs Vuk Jeremic paid a short visit to Greece on 2 December. Jeremic met with his Greek counterpart Stavros Dimas.

During the meeting Stavros Dimas emphasized that Greece supports Serbia within Europe. On his part, Vuk Jeremic said that there are no different aspects concerning relations between Serbia and Greece.

He also added that current economic crisis is not the first one in the Balkan region and possibly won’t be the last one.

Finally, Minister of Foreign Affairs Vuk Jeremic concluded that the country of Serbia is dedicated to peace, continuing to try in order to enter the European Union.

Levan-Vlore highway opened


With EU financing, the highway link Argirokaster, Vlora and Tirana just in Levan, has begined to built 5 yers ago, but still now, never has ended.

The Minister of Transport, Sokol Olldashi, inspected the works of the road that connects the Levan road with Vlore, which now can be used only with one side.

Meanwhile, the construction companies are working with the second side of the road, which will make it quicker for the drivers to travel from Fier to Vlore and the entire southern coast.

“Four months earlier was opened  the segment that connects Novosela with Vlore. Today is a very special day for the Albanian road system, because we are opening the entire trajectory. From now on, transit vehicles from Fier to Vlore with travel through this road”, the Minister of Transport declared.


With EU financing, the highway link Argirokaster, Vlora and Tirana just in Levan, has began to built 5 years ago, but still now, never has ended.