Nano did not employ us
Spokesman: The Prime Minister was chosen by the PS and not by the table of the 5 parties
Changes of ministers, dismissals confirm the government. Neritan Ceka: The country is the coalition
Page 3
The fruits of the new policy
What stood out during the recent visit of the Foreign Minister to Athens, Klaus Kinkel, was that Tirana, in this conversation full of reservations, showed hope that the fruits of this visit and of a series of meetings he held in Greece with Foreign Minister Kinkel would be a longer-lasting rapprochement between the two countries. Thus, for the first time in many years, the Albanian chief diplomat has spoken in more optimistic terms about the future of Greek-Albanian relations. At least in principle and in words, both the Greeks and the government in Tirana have tried to abandon aggressive language and replace it with calm and encouragement for cooperation.
Indeed, the Foreign Minister's assessment of the Balkans, Kinkel, was more favorable than it is, and he noticeably softened both the tone of his assessment of the Kosovo issue and the way the Cham issue was raised in bilateral relations. Beyond this change in the media handling and in officials' statements, in a more relaxed approach to relations with Athens, there still remains a serious disregard, both from political circles in Tirana and from official circles in Athens, for the fundamental issues that hinder a lasting improvement in relations. In this regard, it should be said that the government in Tirana continues to take a passive stance both on the Cham issue and on the treatment of emigrants in Greece. In Albania there are many people who note that the Greek government responds positively only to those Albanian parties that remain silent or minimize the main problems in bilateral relations.
There is still, in Albania, a major problem concerning the status of the thousands of Albanians who have gone to Greece, without a stable legal address and with constant insecurity. Likewise, the issue of their property and rights remains unresolved. The Cham issue has also been left in an unjust shadow, even though it continues to remain alive in historical memory and in the demands of those who feel it as an open wound. There are still people in Albania who consider rapprochement with Greece as an excessive concession of national interest, but there are also those who believe that only by behaving with moderation and restrained language can the doors of dialogue be kept open and something concrete be achieved.
Nevertheless, there is a sense that the rhetoric is changing, but not the substance enough. In this context, an Albanian government that wants to have better relations with Athens must seek not only softer tones, but also visible political, diplomatic, and legal steps that protect the interests of its citizens and address with dignity the issues still left pending. Only then can the new policy yield real fruits and not remain merely a courteous moment in the diplomatic language of the day.
Kinkel: Peace in the name of 2,000 killed
Foreign Minister Kinkel during yesterday's press conference
The Prime Minister places the PD leader at the table in honor of Kinkel
Berisha refuses Nano's lunch
Foreign Minister: The former president has definitively lost Bonn's support
Former president Sali Berisha yesterday refused the lunch invitation held in honor of German Foreign Minister Klaus Kinkel, the spokesman of the Democratic Party, Edi Paloka, announced. According to him, the invitation from the Albanian prime minister was not only completely unnecessary, but also insincere. The PD has made its position clear that it cannot sit at the table with Fatos Nano and Berisha. Also taking part in this lunch were the German deputy speaker of the Bundestag and Berisha, has committed monstrous acts that showed he was unacceptable and acts in violation of standards. According to the spokesman, Kinkel called for dialogue among political forces, but not to forget the responsibilities of those who brought about last year's bloodshed. As a message from Bonn, it has been understood that German support for the figure of the former president has dropped significantly. This is the first time that the federal government has so openly articulated such a reservation toward Berisha. In this context, the refusal of the lunch was presented by the PD as a political act, while by its opponents as proof of its isolation.
Other news
Gjirokastër, all of Albania an explosive wasteland of Shemberet socialist's house
P 3
Sexual harassment in workplace relations
Sex on tables
P 3
Mirëmë Kometojia played the first match Albania draws with Malta
P 24
Albanian weapons in Greece, handcuffs on Greek traffickers
Assault rifles and anti-tank rockets seized
P 7
Vlorë, duel between the policeman and Eduart Alushi
The commissioner sues the PS deputy
P 9
The prosecution begins questioning the witnesses yesterday
Lezha, investigations into the overthrow
P 8
ON 1 MARCH
JOHA JONE
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