Nishani: “Remove the War Law”

Papulias and his delegation had a two-hour long meeting with President Nishani, and then continued with the bilateral meeting with ministers from both countries. Both President read a prepared declaration for the public. Nishani started his speech by valuing the contribution of Papulias in the relations between the two countries, and declared that they had discussed about old and new issues than need to be resolved.

“There are a series of issues in the bilateral agenda that need to be resolved. Our relations should not be influenced from past problems, but from the common future and a good neighboring and cooperative spirit. I asked for the repealing of the law of war, and the approval for all articles that derive from it. I expressed my concern about the fact that the issue with the toponyms and the maritime border, for which we are ready to find a solution”, Nishani declared.

The Albanian President also asked his Greek homologue to take in consideration the recognition of Kosovo’s independence.

“We had a sincere and cordial meeting”, declared the Greek President, underlining that this visit gives a new dimension to the Albanian-Greek relations. Papulias released no comment about the requests of the Albanian side, but explained the Greek approach for the maritime border and the importance of energetic projects for both countries.

“The Greek minority is a key and stable connection of friendship and cooperation between the two countries. The Greeks of Albania are a dynamic component of the Albanian economic and social life, and we all agree that their rights need to be respected. On the other hand, hundreds of thousands of Albanian immigrants who live and work in Greece are also a powerful connection element in our relations. We also discussed the maritime border issue”, Papulias declared.

Chams protesters

The Chameria association organized a protest for the visit of the Greek President in Albania. Their leaders reminded the Greek President of his Cham origin.

“20 years ago, in 1994, as Foreign Minister, Mr.Karolois Papulias told his homologue, Alfred Serreqi, that the Cham case could not be resolved with the wounds still open, and at least 20 years should pass before it could be calmly addressed. This is the time for the Greek President to keep his word”, declared the head of this association, Ardian Tana.

The leader of the Party for Justice, Integrity and Unity, Shpetim Idrizi, appealed the Greek President to play a reconciliation role between the two nations. Idrizi asked the Albanian authorities to not violate the dignity of Albanians.

“How can you accept this duty, when your Cham peers who did not give up from their nationality are today without a tomb of their own. They don’t have even monuments or a collective memory in the Greek state. You have the historic occasion to make a big service to both nations you belong to, by resolving the Cham issue and removing the law of war”, Idrizi told the Greek President.

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