Crisis, heads of diplomacies in Tirana

07/09/2011 19:40

Next week are expected to come in Tirana the head of the Italian
diplomacy, Franco Frattini, and his Greek homologue, Stavros
Lambrinidis, in a joint mission for inciting the EU integration process
of Albania.

This mission, says Voice of America, is coordinated with the EU, and for this reason, the Ministers will be accompanied by the EU Ambassador in Tirana, Ettore Sequi.

The Foreign Ministers of the neighboring countries aim to remind Albania its obligations towards Brussels and ask their fulfillment as soon as possible, since the European Commission will release the report for the country’s progress and will present its opinion about the candidate status request.

Frattini and Lambrinidis are expected to visit Tirana on 12 September. The ministers will incite the political dialogue in the country and the acceleration of the reforms which are needed for the road towards the EU.

Together with Mr. Sequi they are expected talk with President Bamir Topi, the Prime Minister Sali Berisha, the Foreign Minister Edmond Haxhinasto and the opposition leader, Edi Rama.

They will ask the Albanian parties to commit on fulfilling the recommendations of the international observers’ mission after May 8th elections.

On 8 and 9 September, Albania will be visited also by the General Secretary of the Greek Foreign Ministry, Ioannis Alexandros Zepos.

Sources from this ministry confirmed that the Greek diplomat will attend meetings with the Albanian homologue, Gazmend Turdiu, the Foreign Minister Edmond Haxhinasto and the Prime Minister Sali Berisha.

The agenda of the consul Zepos will also include matters of common interest, such as the EU perspective of Western Balkans.

The visit of the Greek diplomat, who has also acted as negotiator in several agreements, the most controversial of which is that of the maritime borders between Greece and Albania, will bring new discussions exactly for this agreement.

Very confidential sources from the Greek Foreign Ministry say for Top-Channel that Mr. Zepos comes in Tirana with the only purpose to close this matter.

Greece continues to consider the maritime borders agreement as a good agreement, although it was rejected by the Albanian Constitutional court.

Top Channel