|
Books on Albania
REPUBLICAN REFERENCE
Area (sq.km)
28,748
Population
3,544,808
Capital
Tirana
Currency
Lek
President
Alfred Moisiu
|
Update No: 113 - (26/10/06)
Two things dominate any state's existence, the need to enhance
its prosperity and well-being generally - and the need for its security. The
second is in a sense more vital than the first. Without it all bets on the
former are off.
Albania has been doing well on both counts recently. The most promising thing
for its security is that the US has become a whole-hearted supporter of Albania
joining NATO. Another is that the prospects on Kosovo are promising.
NATO membership beckons
The United States has supported Albania's, as well as Croatia's and Macedonia's,
commitment to become a full member of the Euro-Atlantic community. In May, Vice
President Cheney visited Dubrovnik, Croatia, where he met with Prime Minister
Ivo Sanader as well as Prime Minister Vlado Buckovski of Macedonia (since
ousted), and Prime Minister Sali Berisha of Albania.
"It's very important -- both for NATO and the EU -- to take in new
members," Cheney said at the meeting in Dubrovnik. "Those who aspire
to join and rejuvenate such organizations," he continued, "help us
rededicate ourselves to those basic fundamental values of freedom and democracy
that are a very important part of our collective security arrangements."
In 2003, the United States and Croatia, along with Macedonia and Albania, signed
the Adriatic Charter. The charter reaffirms each country's commitment to
strengthening its institutions in order to join NATO. It also reiterates the
United States' intention to continue assisting the countries in implementing
necessary reforms.
Albanian PM says Serbia unrealistic, must give up Kosovo
Albania's prime minister said on October 10th that an independent Kosovo would
contribute to Serbia's stability and said Belgrade's opposition to independence
for the breakaway province was unrealistic.
"Despite all the changes that have occurred in Belgrade since the fall of
Slobodan Milosevic's regime, still the ghost of greater Serbia persists ... and
a lack of realism still dominates Belgrade's stance toward Kosovo," Prime
Minister Berisha told the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe.
The United Nations has administered Kosovo since 1999, when NATO air strikes
drove out Serb troops who had carried out a bloody crackdown on the province's
independence-seeking Albanian majority.
Albania has been the biggest supporter of Kosovo's independence, leading to
frosty relations with Serbia. Tirana has, however, always said it has no
territorial claims and does not intend to change its border.
"Rest assured, in Pristina they all hope to join Brussels. I have not found
a single person there who wants to join Albania," Berisha said, alluding to
the capital of Kosovo and the seat of the European Union. "The only thing
we can do is to abide by the will of these people who want to have an
independent state integrated into Europe."
Ethnic Albanians insist they should not be under Belgrade's authority. Serbia,
as well as the Serb minority in Kosovo, say Kosovo is the heart of Serbia's
ancient homeland and should remain within its borders.
The United Nations hopes to resolve Kosovo's status by the end of the year, but
talks have stalled with both sides unwilling to compromise on their demands.
"I believe that independence of Kosovo would contribute to the stability of
Serbia, marginalize its radical forces," Berisha said. "Due to the
absence of realism ... the agreement between Pristina and Belgrade is
elusive."
Serbian Foreign Minister Vuk Draskovic has warned independence for Kosovo
without Serbia's approval could spark war in the Balkans, and instead suggested
Kosovo should have full autonomy.
Belgrade and Serb leaders in the province worry about the safety of Kosovo's
100,000 Serbs, most of whom live in small, scattered enclaves. Few of the
200,000 Serbs who fled Kosovo during and after the 1998-99 war have returned.
The Western route
As regards its well-being, Albania has shed its stigma of being the poorest
country in Europe, growing at over 7% per year, with foreigners and foreign
funds transforming the economy.
But it is still of course a very poor country. While the country wants to become
Western, it is easier said than done for a nation than an individual. People
leave in droves - of course for the West.
The number of Albanian illegal immigrants who attempt to enter Greece and who
pay considerable amounts of money to compatriots to transport them to the
heartland of the country, has increased.
Their traffickers await them on Greek territory with stolen, rented or with
their own cars near the borders, where the illegal immigrants pass through
unguarded entry points.
In many cases, police and border guards give chase and quite a number of traffic
accidents have occurred during the pursuit.
EU, US urge Berisha to implement reforms
It is hardly surprising if the West is convinced that a lot more has to be
done. Prime Minister Sali Berisha and his new cabinet took office in September
amid international calls for the country to move ahead with needed changes, in
particular a strengthened fight against corruption.
The EU and the United States welcomed the appointment of the new government in
Albania, headed by Democratic Party (DP) leader Sali Berisha. The cabinet was
sworn in on September 11th after receiving parliamentary approval the day
before. "The EU welcomes the conclusion of the election process in Albania,
which has resulted in the first peaceful transfer of power since the fall of
communism,'' the presidency of the EU said in a statement. It urged lawmakers to
begin implementing changes meant to "direct the country towards integration
into Europe" -- particularly, boosting the rule of law and moving ahead
with electoral reform. While the EU backs the reform efforts, the key for
success "is in the hands of Albanian authorities," the statement said.
EU Enlargement Commissioner Olli Rehn, meanwhile, spoke to Berisha. He called
for implementing anticorruption measures and empowering state administration.
Through its deputy foreign secretary, Senator Robert Antonioni, EU member Italy
formally invited Berisha to visit Rome to meet with counterpart Silvio
Berlusconi. "Italy remains a strong and a long-term partner of Albania for
its development, implementation of reforms and Euro-Atlantic integration,"
Antonioni said in Tirana.
The United States, through Ambassador Marcie Ries, greeted the "successful
parliamentary elections and the power shifting transition," which she said
demonstrates the progress of democracy. Her comments came during a meeting with
Berisha, during which she presented him a message of congratulations from US
President George W. Bush.
According to a White House press release, Bush told Berisha that his country
should be proud of the peaceful transfer of power. He called on the new
parliament and government to move forward with anti-corruption efforts and with
creating a better business environment. He also thanked Albania for its
contribution to the global war on terror.
Berisha, meanwhile, has already met with World Bank experts to discuss the
country's further economic development. At a seminar in the coastal city of
Durres, he urged the Bank to assist the cabinet in implementing its programmes,
including the key objective of fighting corruption.
«
Top
ENERGY
Albania-Bulgaria sign memorandum for oil pipeline
Bulgaria and Albania have signed a memorandum of cooperation for the
construction of the US-backed AMBO oil pipeline, totalling 917 kilometres in
length and responsible for carrying 750 barrels per day from Burgas to the port
of Avlona, Italian News Agency ANSA reported on October 4th.
Albania's annual profits from the pipeline are seen reaching US$40 million per
year. According to the initial planning, the pipeline will cross the above
areas: Qafe-Thane, Perrenjas, Librazhd, Elbasan, Cerrik, Fier, Novosela and
reach the port of Avlona. Due to environmental concerns, government sources
suggested that the pipeline's final destination will be Porto Romano area and
not Avlona.
«
Top
FOREIGN LOANS
Germany to extend 13.5m Euro in financing to Albania
Germany will extend 13.5 million Euro in low-interest loans and grants to
Albania in 2006 to assist the financing of ongoing and new projects, news
website reporter.gr said on September 21st.
The funds will be spent on projects for economic development, as well as
projects in the sectors of energy and water supply and sewerage. The financial
package is to be extended under a bilateral programme for economic and technical
cooperation in 2006. In the week starting September 11, 2006, Germany and
Albania signed a 2.1 million Euro agreement for support of Albanian experts in
drafting project studies.
German state-run development bank, Kreditanstalt fuer Wiederaufbau (KfW), will
extend a further 18 million Euro to Albania in 2006.
«
Top
TELECOMMUNICATIONS
Albtelecom deal still alive
The Albanian government said it will seek talks with Turkey's Calik Enerji
concerning a renegotiated agreement on the privatisation of 76% of Albtelecom,
setimes.com reported.
Prime Minister, Sali Berisha, and his cabinet had earlier wanted to annul the
120m Euro contract with the Turkish company, which won an international tender
sealed by Albania's previous Socialist government. However, the Berisha
administration now appears ready to renegotiate some terms of the agreement,
rather than initiate a brand-new tender. Local media reports suggested the
change in position followed Berisha's recent visit to Turkey, where he met with
Calik Enerji's president, Ahmet Calik.
«
Top
TRANSPORT
US company to build highway in Albania
Albania has awarded a contract worth US$317 million to a US company to build a
stretch of highway that will connect Albania with neighbouring Kosovo, People's
Daily Online cited the government as saying on September 29th.
Bechtel International Inc, based in San Francisco, will build the 55 kilometre,
four-lane road segment, which will include a six kilometre tunnel, the
government said in a statement. The stretch of the road to be built by the US
company is part of a larger 170 kilometre highway to Kosovo, it was reported.
Officials said the new road will be funded from the country's coffers and also
with loans from international financial institutions.
« Top
|
