Serbian autonomy in northern Kosovo may opens Ilirida!


Mitrovitsa autonomy, a Domino Efect in Balkan Region 

President of DUI, Ali Ahmeti considers that the territorial and political autonomy for Serbs in northern Kosovo can have its impact in Macedonia. That if the Serbs in northern Kosovo gain territorial and political autonomy that both would have a domino effect in neighboring countries, namely Macedonia.

During a meeting with the Albanian diaspora in Vienna, Ahmeti said that is split Kosovo crisis can be recovered in the Balkans conflicts.

"In this case, as the example of Kosovo as a sensitive issue. Yeah changed the borders of Kosovo and passed some of it, I tell you that the risk is too great, because no one can give guarantee that the domino effect is not can also occur in Macedonia, "said Ahmeti, announces Zhurnal.

According to experts and political analysts will not be territorial and political autonomy for Serbs in northern Kosovo, but their rights will be under the Ahtisaari plan and the same will not compromise the integrity of the newest state in Europe.

http://www.balkanweb.com/kosova/2686/autonomia-serbe-ne-veri-te-kosoves-zgjon-iliriden--109489.html

Amid Upheaval, Obama Loses ‘Source of Stability’

New York Times

By DAVID E. SANGER

Published: November 11, 2012

WASHINGTON — President Obama has begun searching for a new Central Intelligence Agency director at what many administration officials say is an especially awkward time: in the midst of investigations about the killing of the American ambassador in Benghazi, Libya; at a crucial moment in the covert war against Iran; and just as the administration is considering a more active role in Syria.

Dennis C. Enser/The Buffalo News, via Associated Press

Michael J. Morell is the C.I.A.'s deputy director.

Related

• Officials Say F.B.I. Knew of Petraeus Affair in the Summer (November 12, 2012)

• A Brilliant Career With a Meteoric Rise and an Abrupt Fall (November 11, 2012)

• Times Topic: David Petraeus

Mark Wilson/Getty Images

John O. Brennan is a top adviser to President Obama.

In each of those arenas, David H. Petraeus, who resigned on Friday because of an extramarital affair with the author of a highly flattering book about his military career, provided Mr. Obama with both experience and political cover. A hero among Republicans for his service in Iraq and Afghanistan — and his occasional public disagreements with the president over troop withdrawals — Mr. Petraeus had just returned from a long trip to Libya and the Middle East when news of the scandal broke.

The trip was a reminder, one senior administration official said on Sunday, of the depth of the relationships the retired general had nurtured throughout a long military career in the region, which Mr. Obama was relying on.

“He’s pretty critical to everything we’ve got on the table,” the official said. “At a moment when there is about to be a lot of turnover, Petraeus was going to be a source of stability.”

Even before Mr. Petraeus’s arrival at the intelligence agency, where he redecorated the director’s suite with guns and other memorabilia from his days in Iraq and Afghanistan, the C.I.A.’s influence in Washington was growing considerably.

Its covert drone program became Mr. Obama’s weapon of choice to attack Al Qaeda in the tribal areas of Pakistan. And the agency became responsible for the broad attacks on Iran’s nuclear complex code-named “Olympic Games,” which included the first use of American cyberweapons against another state. Increased use of C.I.A. paramilitary forces brought the agency closer than any time in decades to its roots, in the clandestine operations run by the Office of Strategic Services in World War II.

Mr. Petraeus, by his own account, was initially an uneasy fit at the agency, but later became accustomed to its non-hierarchical structure. “The C.I.A., thanks to its seasoned and highly educated work force, does not need a heavy hand on the reins,” Mr. Petraeus said in a speech in September. “A light touch is generally all that is required.”

Several current and former officials of American intelligence agencies said they believed that Mr. Obama might move quickly to nominate Mr. Petraeus’s deputy, Michael J. Morell, as his replacement. That would put the agency’s most respected intelligence analyst at the head of the organization. Mr. Morell is of the “light touch” school, and clearly the favorite inside the headquarters of the agency in Langley, Va.

The president could also choose the man inside the White House who is considered by many to be overseeing the entire American intelligence infrastructure from his basement office in the West Wing of the White House: John O. Brennan, a retired C.I.A. operative who once headed the agency’s station in Saudi Arabia. 

more see"  http://www.nytimes.com/2012/11/12/us/politics/petraeus-replacement-search-is-under-way.html?_r=1&

Russia's Moskva Mega-Cruiser, 16 Nuclear Warheads & Fleet Of Warships Dock At Limnos

http://hellasfrappe.blogspot.com/2012/11/russias-moskva-mega-cruiser-16-nuclear.html

The giant mega cruiser Moskva, which is the lead ship of the Project 1164 Atlant class of guided missile cruisers in the Russian Navy, sailed to the Aegean today, accompanied by the large landing ship SARATOV (No. 150), class Alligator, and according to reports they may soon make their way to the Eastern Mediterranean depending on the developments in Syria. The Russian ships are also accompanied by several frigates and destroyers, and might just take part in the NATO operations that are reported to begin there very shortly.

As reported on Friday, British Prime Minister David Cameron and US President Barack Obama have agreed to enforce a no-fly zone over Syria. If this is enforced, then it is expected that there will be an intervention in this country.

There are also claims that the British RAF will work together with the American and French Air Force in this intervention, but there is still no talk about whether or not the Turkish Air Force be taking part. Military analysts in Athens from defencenet said in one report on Monday that if the above forces take part, then Turkey's participation should also be expected.

The RAF is likely to use two bases in the region: The first is at Akrotiri on the island of  Cyprus and the other is in Incirlik in Turkey (phonetic spelling). We are also likely to see the use of Eurofighter-Typhoon air crafts from RAF and Rafale planes from the French Air Force.

The reports in Greece said that the Moskva mega cruiser and the other ships were a little bit behind schedule, and were late in passing through the Bosphorus by one day, but they are now currently anchored in the Northern Aegean, or east-southeast of the island of Limnos where Russian warships are usually stationed. 

The SARATOV has a capacity to carry 350 Marines, armoured fighting vehicles and other military equipment. It is still unknown if the ship is carrying a full load, or if it will be used to help evacuate the already 1,000 Russian marines that are stationed in Syria.

The flotilia is also waiting for the arrival of several other Russian ships. Also set to join the fleet is the Russian cruiser NOVOCHERKASSK.

Its actually the first time that the Russians are sending three mega-cruisers simultaneously. Moscow already has sent approximately 1000 Marines and other combat personnel to Syria, but with an additional 700 Marines and support from a fleet of warships only one thing can be concluded, WAR, or (as we said earlier) Moscow wants to immediately evacuate its troops from the area.

Quite interestingly, the Moskva not just any type of mega cruiser, as a war ship it is really quite impressive.

 

  Picture: AFP

NATO chief says ready to help Turkey 'if needed'

12 November 2012

 

Prague. NATO is ready to help member state Turkey as the 20-month conflict in Syria is increasingly spilling across the border, the alliance's chief Anders Fogh Rasmussen said Monday, AFP reported.

"Turkey can rely on NATO solidarity, we have more plans in place to defend and protect Turkey, our ally, if needed," Rasmussen told reporters in Prague, but declined to go into details.
The NATO secretary general also said the transatlantic military alliance still has not received a request from Turkey for a possible deployment of US-made Patriot anti-aircraft missiles.
"But obviously if such a request is to be forwarded the NATO council will have to consider it," he added.
Ankara said last week that it was in talks with NATO about the Patriots but had not made any formal request.
President Abdullah Gul said last week that Turkey reserved the right to defend itself against any threat from Syria, its one-time ally, but that it was "out of the question" that Ankara would start a war.

EU To Invest EUR81 Million To Support Key Reforms In Albania

The European Commission on Monday announced that it will invest EUR81 million as the EU's renewed financial support to Albania's reform efforts. The funds will be used to address key priorities such as the reform of the judiciary, fight against organized crime, and the reform of the public administration system. They will also help improve Albania's transport infrastructure, modernize water and sanitation systems, and set up a range of services for social inclusiveness, the Commission said in a press release.

"For several years now, Albanian citizens have shown strong support for their country's accession to the EU. They know their daily lives will improve while their country moves forward on the path towards the EU. Further progress will depend on Albania's capacity to strengthen this common national objective and deliver on reforms. The EU is committed to assist Albania achieve this goal and I am confident that this year's program will visibly encourage a sustained pace of reforms in the country", said EU Enlargement Commissioner Stefan Füle.

The funding earmarked today comes under the 2012 annual program for Albania of the EU's Instrument for Pre-accession Assistance (IPA), and will be topped up with an additional EUR15 million of co-financing by Albanian authorities.

The funding will finance concrete projects in the area of justice reform and will improve the performance of the Albanian State Police. It will help build the new courthouse in Tirana and will restructure two border crossing points. Better financial and management control systems will be set up in local and national authorities, improving the efficiency of financial inspections. This will directly contribute to an effective and transparent use of public funds by the Albanian government.

Infrastructure funding will contribute to constructing the Rrogozhina bypass, thus improving road transport and safety. They will also help rehabilitate the sewage system in Vlora, which the European Commission expects to benefit the tourism industry in and around the sea-side resort.

Panariti: "Extremist are also in Greece, not only in northern borders of Greece"

"Albania does not know the maritime agreement with Greece, needs to agree new, according to common interests" 

The Red and Black Alliance establishes the structure for the protection of the border in Saranda to prevent Greek shipping
 


Red and Black Alliance has set up during the day a new structure for the protection of the Albanian border.

Dozens of volunteers of this structure are given during the day in Saranda, to prevent the arrival of Greek oil searche shipping.

Red and Black Alliance volunteers led by the head of this movement, Kreshnik Spahiu located on the border with Greece to protest against the introduction of Greek shipping. They say they are there to protect the border and are determined in their mission to preserve the territorial integrity. Volunteers are placed in front of Corfu by observing the Albania-Greece Greek demanding diesel ships.

http://www.gazetatema.net/web/2012/11/12/ak-ngre-strukturen-per-mbrojtjen-e-kufirit-ne-sarande-per-pengimin-e-anijeve-greke/

"Greek crisis is feeding EU skepticism"

Source: Beta

GRAZ -- The Greece crisis has affected the economy and the European perspective of the Western Balkan countries, a gathering in Graz, Austria, has concluded.

(Beta, file)

The conference was dedicated to the region's EU integrations.
"The Greek crisis has reduced the confidence in (EU) enlargement and discredited the whole region because Greece 'fell'," said Ritsa Panagiotou of the Center of Planning and Economic Research (KEPE) in Athens.

"The events in Greece are the food on the plate for Euro-skeptics," she added.

She noted that Albania, Macedonia, Serbia, and Montenegro to a lesser extent, were particularly vulnerable, because Greece was among the leading investment and trading partners in the region and had a significant share in the banking sector in these countries.

Panagiotou added that nearly 4,000 Greek companies have so far invested in the region and helped create some 200,000 jobs.

Visiting professor at the State University of Bucharest Franz-Lothar Altmann said that the Greek crisis had further fueled the already existing skepticism towards EU enlargement.

By 2009, total Greek investments in the Western Balkans reached 12 billion euros, while the region saw no new investments since, said Altman. According to him, from the first half of 2009 until the end of 2011, 2,000 Greek enterprises moved from the region to Bulgaria.

The gathering also heard that in 2010 Greek companies withdrew 1.3 billion euros from the Western Balkan countries. In Serbia alone Greek investments shrank almost ten times: from 336 million in 2007, to 46 million in 2008 and 2009.

The crisis in Greece also reflected on the drop in remittances, hitting Albania particularly hard, as nearly 600,000 Albanians live and work in Greece.

According to Panagiotou, the Albanian diaspora in Greece in 2009 sent home 900 million euros, which was approximately nine percent of Albania's GDP that year.

President honors Serbian WW1 soldiers in Greece

Source: Tanjug

VIDO -- In commemoration of Armistice Day, President Tomislav Nikolić paid homage to fallen Serbian soldiers at the Greek island of Vido.

(Tanjug)

The engine of the Serbian delegation's ship was turned off as they observed a minute's silence, and the president threw a wreath into the sea, said reports.
The expression "the Blue Tomb" is used in Serbia to describe the area around the Ionian islands where thousands of Serbian Kingdom soldiers were buried at sea during the First World War.

Nikolić wrote in the memorial guest book: “Soon it will be 100 years since you fell asleep, so that Serbia could wake up. Someday someone will lay a wreath here on behalf of Serbia to commemorate 1,000 years, and Serbia will still be here.”

More photos

Serbian Foreign Minister Jovan Mrkić, Minister of Culture and Information Bratislav Petković, Serbian president's Adviser Marko Đurić, Mayor of Corfu Ioannis Trepeklis and Ionian Islands Prefect Spiros Spirou also paid their respects.

In accordance with the conclusion adopted by the Serbian government at the initiative from the president's office, the Serbian delegation members wore lapel badges with a Natalie's Ramonda flower and a background in the colors of the Albanian Memorial medal.

The medal was established to commemorate the withdrawal of the Serbian Army through Albania as the country was facing some of the most difficult moments of the First World War.

Nikolić started his visit to Greece in Athens on Friday, where he had talks with the country's top officials.

Yesterday, in commemoration of Armistice Day, he paid tribute to fallen Serbian soldiers buried at the Zeytinlik military cemetery near Thessaloniki, after which he traveled to Mount Athos and the Serbian Orthodox monastery Hilandar.

British soldiers' memorial ceremony in Tirana

44 British soldiers have been killed in Albania, during 1944-46

TIRANA - This morning is holding a memorial ceremony in honor of dead British soldiers during World War II. The ceremony was held at the British and Commonwealth Memorial, located in Tirana Artificial Lake Park in n auspices of the British Embassy in Tirana.

Present at the ceremony were the president of the country Bujar Nishani, Prime Minister Berisha, Assembly Speaker Topalli, Albanian and other prominent personalities of British military of the two countries, etc..

Albanian state dignitaries and those British, as well as all participants in the ceremony, first held a minute of silence in honor of the fallen British and, later, developed homage and placed wreaths at the memorial British.

Memorial ceremony held not only in Tirana but also in other countries of Europe s, where British soldiers have given their lives during World War II. These ceremonies take place each dated November 11, at 11, a symbolic set by Great Britain, in honor of Memorial Day for its fallen in this war.

Note: Two albanian standards with NATO allies. Unlike ceremony of the Greek soldiers fallen in Kelcyre, where Albanian nationalists protested to the families of the fallen in the battle of the Italian Greek War in 1940, calling the Greek soldiers as "invaders", with British soldiers, happens allotherwise, even were the presence of the Prsident Nishani, the Prime Minister Sali Berisha, and the Speaker of parliament, Topalli.

Dačić talks EU negotiations date, Kosovo agreements

Source: Tanjug, Pink TV

BELGRADE -- Eight EU countries have supported the idea to give Serbia a "conditional date for the start of EU talks as soon as possible, perhaps even in March".

Ivica Dačić (Tanjug, file)

This is according to Serbian Prime Minister Ivica Dačić, who told Belgrade-based Pink TV that the meeting on Thursday was called on the initiative of Italy and Sweden.
He said the reason for the initiative was Serbia's constructive approach, and that while he was unsure whether it would prove successful, "it is certainly a step forward compared to the atmosphere and the pressure that we have had in the previous years".

Dačić also announced a new meeting with Hashim Thaci in the first half of December, before the EU Council meets.

He noted that the previous government had "initialed" an agreement on integrated management of crossings between Kosovo and central Serbia, and described it as "difficult". As for his government, Dačić said it "understood the objections of the citizens themselves, from Serbs in Kosovo and Metohija, but had no choice", as it must implement what the previous government "signed".

According to him, this agreement will first be implemented at two temporary crossings, "in containers, without permanently built structures".

Dačić stated that it was "important to define the executive role of EULEX, and who would collect the income", which he said he told Thaci "should go to the north where Serbs live".

As for the role of the EU mission, the prime minister believes it is important " n order not to bring up the status issue on the agenda,regardless of the fact our representatives and those of the interim institutions in Priština will be also present".

Dačić also believes that Serbia is not changing its position regarding the status of Kosovo and Metohija, and that it can "make moves within what the previous government had singed, or discard it all, which would set us several steps back".

Dačić noted that he was a part of the ruling coalition that went to war over Kosovo, and asserted that for that reason, nobody can say he is not nationalistic or patriotic enough. Serbia wishes to discuss essential issues of status and in this constructive approach, and "nobody can expect the prime minister of Serbia to accept an independent Kosovo", he said.

Asked whether the Belgrade city authorities led by the Democrats (DS) would be replaced by a new coalition, the leader of the Socialists (SPS) said this was "a possible option", but, according to him, "it had not been discussed".

Dačić also serves as interior minister in his own cabinet, and announced that candidates will be invited to apply for the job of police director next week, while the case of wiretapping of top state officials "will be taken into account when replacements are made within the MUP".

Poll: What is the opinion of Himariotes for the deployment of British troops in Himara Region?

 

SManalysis, will conduct a poll, in which will have to be thought of indigenous residents and diaspora of Himara, to learn about public opinion to its residents, in light of the historical circumstances, geopolitical, NATO and European perspective of the region, installation of United Kingdom troops in the Himara Region.

We stress that are asked only indigenous people, to give their opinion valid, and not people who have no connection with the Himara Region. Poll carried out in view of the prospects of the region, based in self administration of finances, based on the right of beneficarly of properties and product lord historical region of Himara, respecting the historical autonomy inherent value of European civilization and contemporary.

Meanwhile, in view of estabilish of troops of the Royal Navy Marines, since 15 days, in the Himara Region, for which, media and Albanian politicians have not given any public information.

Seventeen Turkish troops die in helicopter crash

DEBKAfile November 10, 2012, 
 
Turkish Kurdish PKK separatists are suspected of downing the Turkish Sikorsky with an anti-air missile Saturday over the Pervari area inside the Iraq-Syria-Turkish border triangle. Ankara said later that bad weather conditions caused the crash. DEBKAfile: Syrian ruler Bashar Assad is believed to have armed the Kurdish PKK with anti-air missiles in revenge for the delivery of American-made Stingers to Syrian rebels. Last Tuesday, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said: “We have verified information that thee are more than 50 Stingers in Syrian now.”

Greece starts searching oil
 

As warned, the Greek government gave the first licence for oil research in their part of the sea. The Greek Ministry of Economy, Construction and Development in Greece announced that on 11 November 2012 will start the official oil researches in the Greek maritime territory in Northern Ion and Southern Crete.

The researches will continue for three months and the Greek government will start the tender with the areas of interest. We are talking about an area of 225.000 square km, twice the land territory of Greece.

According to this Ministry, the licence was won by the Norwegian Petrolium-Geo-Services company, which will enable the researches for oil through modern technology. The first ship is called “nordic Explorer”, and it will start searching the area on Monday, exactly at the area that Albania would be giving away to Greece with the maritime pact signed by the two governments, but that was rejected by the Albanian Constitutional Court.

Greece has never accepted this, and says that they will implement the researches on the territory for which they agreed with the Albanian government, after they will replace it with a new agreement that will be acceptable for both parties. A few weeks ago Top Channel discovered that the draft of a new agreement is underway and it leaves the first one unchanged, giving away to Greece an area of 250 square km, there where Greece has given the tender.

Sources form the Foreign Ministry said for Top Channel that the agreements with Albanian will depend on the result of the researches. Certainly that the Greek interest will fall if the gas and oil extraction in this area will have a high cost, the sources said. According to the Greek Ministry, the experts say that the Ionian Sea has large amounts of oil, that could be calculated to billions of barrels.


http://www.top-channel.tv/english/artikull.php?id=7565

Greek Journalists To Join European-Wide Strike on Nov. 14

Newspaper (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The Panhellenic Federation of Journalists' Unions (POESY) called on its members to take part in a European-wide labour mobilisations on November 14 with a nationwide three-hour work stoppage (12:00-15:00).

Journalists will also join a protest rally at 13:00 on November 14 organized in Athens by the General Confederation of Employees of Greece (GSEE) and civil servants union federation ADEDY.

"Trade unions and society join forces to protest with the rest of Europe against the neo-liberal policies that have turned an entire continent into a continent of unemployment and poverty. The struggle with all European workers for dignified life continues on a national and European level," a POESY statement noted.

Berisha of Tirana, Insists on irredentist statements

Ο πρωθυπουργός της Αλβανίας, Σαλί Μπερίσα, βρισκόμενος στο Κάμεζ εγκαινίασε αρκετές εγκαταστάσεις και εργαστήρια του τμήματος  βιοτεχνολογίας και τροφίμων του Γεωπονικού Πανεπιστημίου. Με την ευκαιρία αυτή, μίλησε για την αλβανική εθνότητα, έχοντας επίγνωση των επιπτώσεων του εθνικιστικού πνεύματος από κόμματα στις επερχόμενες εκλογές.

The Prime Minister of Albania, Sali Berisha, Situated in Kamez inaugurated several facilities and laboratories of the Department of Biotechnology and Food Agricultural University. On this occasion, he spoke of the Albanian nation, aware of the impact of the nationalist spirit of parties in the upcoming elections.
"We remember that 100 years ago, those who fought for the Albanian nation, Albanian territories where Albanians pleiopsifousan, then sacrificed for national ideals and then there was no state institution. Albanians were faced with the hostility of neighbors, who believed that Albanians should not have their territory. However, succeeded with superhuman effort, led by Ismail Vlora to declare independence, "said Berisha.The Prime Minister in his speech said that "Albanian lands should be and the areas of the consciousness of every Albanian and the ideal of unity should be preserved as a sacred ideal of Albanians," but added that "the association or merger Albanians should happen within the European Union. "
"This is a critical requirement for the actions of the nation to build our future in freedom. The anniversary of 100 years is the highest price for the hundreds of thousands of our martyrs since the beginning of last century to 99 in 2001, in Kosovo and Skopje and we must do everything to unite, we must do everything join Europe, "Berisha said, according to the newspaper Shekulli.

http://www.defencenet.gr

ΧΡΗΣΤΟΣ ΠΑΠΠΑΣ-ΕΠΙΤΡΟΠΗ ΕΞΩΤΕΡΙΚΩΝ ΚΑΙ ΑΜΥΝΑΣ 6-11-2012

Debate in the Parlamentary Greek Defence Commission

Pappas: What Veto for Albania in EU?

Christos Pappas: To Albania have given all and everything

Member of The Golden Down: in Athens has 600 thousand dangerous Islamic and 16 thousand guns Kalashnikov

Papas: Greece boundaries cardinal problems with clandestine

Petraeus stand-in has been through this before

CNN

By Pam Benson

Once again, Michael Morell is being called on to fill-in as acting director of the CIA. It was only last year during the two month gap from the time Leon Panetta left the CIA until Petraeus took over the helm that Deputy Director Morell oversaw the Agency.




The career intelligence officer joined the CIA in 1980. Much of his early career focused on Asian issues. Morell has had a steady climb up the career ladder. He served as then CIA Director George Tenet's executive assistant and presided over the daily intelligence briefing for President George W. Bush. After a three year overseas assignment in the mid 2000's, he returned to headquarters where he became the associate deputy director responsible for the day-to-day operation of the Agency.

After spending two years as the Director of Intelligence, overseeing the work of the analysts, he was appointed to his current position as Deputy Director in May 2010.
In his statement on the resignation of Director Petraeus, President Barack Obama expressed the "utmost confidence" in Morell continuing the work of the CIA. "I have the utmost confidence in Acting Director Michael Morell and the men and women of the CIA who work every day to keep our nation safe."

“Serbia will fulfill conditions, won’t recognize Kosovo”

Source: Tanjug

ATHENS -- Serbian President Tomislav Nikolić has said that Serbia will fulfill all EU conditions but that it would never recognize Kosovo’s independence.

Tomislav Nikolić in Athens on Friday (Tanjug)

The president started his visit to Greece on Friday morning with a meeting with his Greek counterpart Karolos Papoulias.
Papoulias told reporters that geopolitical situation in the region was sensitive and that Greece and Serbia were therefore obligated to show solidarity when it comes to critical national issues as countries with historical friendly ties.

Nikolić said that protection of Serbia’s sovereignty was a national interest. Nikolić thanked Papoulias on his country’s support to preservation of Serbia’s territorial integrity and EU pathway and said that Athens could count on Belgrade’s help.

“Serbia will help Greece if it wants to solve some of its problems. We have friendship, reputation and trust so we can help people, that are in fact not fighting, reconcile,” the Serbian president said.

His Greek counterpart conveyed Athens’ official position regarding Cyprus and a name dispute with the neighboring Macedonia. He stressed that Greece supported Serbia’s EU integration and that its main policy was to preserve stability and peace in the Balkans.

“We support EU accession of all Western Balkan countries in order to achieve this common European goal and consolidate stability in Serbia,” Papoulias pointed out.

The two presidents noted that Greece and Serbia had no open issues but only friendship that “will never stop”. They said ahead of the meeting that nothing could ever separate the Serbian and Greek people because their ties had been built by their ancestors.

Nikolić and Papoulias also assessed that the two countries’ economic cooperation was also good and that a great number of Greek companies did business in Serbia.

After the meeting, delegations of the two countries held a meeting, which was attended by Nikolić, Foreign Minister Ivan Mrkić, Culture Minister Bratislav Petković, president’s foreign policy advisor Marko Đurić and Serbia’s Ambassador to Greece Dragan Županjevac.

During his three-day visit, the Serbian president will meet with Greek parliament Speaker Vangelis Meimarakis, PM Antonis Samaras and representatives of top political parties.

In Athens, Nikolić laid a wreath to the Unknown Soldier Tomb with Greek Defense Minister Panos Panayotopulos and he will attend a session of the Serbo-Greek business council with Greek Development Minister Kostas Hatzidakis on Friday.

Nikolić will visit the crypt at Zeytinlik, the Serbian military cemetery near Thessaloniki, where he will lay wreaths, as well as the islands of Corfu and Vido, in commemoration of Armistice Day on Saturday.

The Serbian president and his Greek counterpart will attend a commemorative ceremony on the island of Vido, after which they will visit the Serbian Museum of Corfu, dedicated to Serbian Kingdom's soldiers who perished there during the First World War.

He will also visit Mount Athos and the Serbian Orthodox monastery of Hilandar.

No change on Kosovo

Greek Parliament Speaker Vangelis Meimarakis underlined during the talks with Serbian President Tomislav Nikolić on Friday that the Greek stance on Kosovo's independence will not change.

Greece is one of the five EU member-stated that have not recognized the ethnic Albanian unilateral declaration, made in early 2008.

Meimarakis expressed Greece's clear support to Serbia's EU pathway, stressing that it is of crucial importance for the Balkan region to be stable and secure.

The Serbian president said that Serbia highly appreciates Greece's support in terms of its European integration process and territorial integrity.

Serbia will fulfill all EU membership conditions, which were fulfilled by other EU members as well, Nikolić said, stressing that Serbia highly values the support of all five EU members, Greece included, which do not recognize Kosovo's unilateral declaration of independence.

Grave concern seriously to the Greek police for amnesty of 2,094 prisoners who plans Albania 

Has caused a great concern within the Greek Police the news that on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Albanian state Berisha gave absolution to 2,094 criminal prisoners according to the "secret" circulating and reported in a publication that was posted on the Albanian press.  

Among them are many who have been convicted of manslaughter, trafficking and involvement in circuits and drug trafficking in human organs! The returning officers reminded the sense that a similar amnesty gave before about 22 years since the government Ramiz Alia resulting Greece is full of criminals who slaughtered, robbed and raped!

The same sources believe that most of those who "liberated" it will go through the "grapevine secured its borders" called border into Greece.