The Prime Minister of Montenegro, Filip Vujanoviç: “Kosovo is the road that connects us with Macedonia” Relations between Albania, Macedonia and Montenegro, hope for a South East Europe pact page 2

Yesterday, Durrës gathered the three new Balkan prime ministers BY MARTIN LEKA Yesterday’s meeting of the prime ministers of Albania, Macedonia and Montenegro, with the support of the European Union, was held in the presence of the Prime Minister of Italy, Massimo D’Alema. One thing is very clear. At least that is what all four prime ministers said at the joint press conference: the fight against organized crime is an absolute priority for the countries of the region. For this reason, the joint declaration of the prime ministers of Albania, Macedonia and Montenegro was signed. The Albanian Prime Minister, Ilir Meta, and the Prime Minister of Montenegro, Filip Vujanoviç, by making accusations against all official protocols, made their position on the worrying and growing phenomenon of crime clear and unequivocal. The support that the four prime ministers gave to the fight against crime also had another dimension, linked to the interests and developments of the region. For Albania, directly involved in this fight, Ilir Meta warned: “Organized crime in the region is an unprecedented challenge to democratic developments and the stability of the region.” He, as well as the Prime Minister of Montenegro, Filip Vujanoviç, and the Prime Minister of Macedonia, Ljubço Georgievski, placed special emphasis on Kosovo and its security and stability challenges. The three prime ministers, through the joint declaration, expressed their opposition to any idea of changing borders, to extremism, and to sabotaging the return of displaced persons to their homes. The Albanian Prime Minister, Meta, directly accused Belgrade of provocations and destabilizing actions in the region. “For the sake of stability, we must strengthen the fight against corruption and organized crime in the future as well, while the Kosovo problem is the solution for peace,” he declared. But, as it seems, the clearest message of yesterday’s meeting was directed at Belgrade. In the end, the three prime ministers gave assurances that Albania, Macedonia and Montenegro will in every way be determined not to allow any worsening of the situation in the region, through further destabilization of Kosovo. After all, the Italian Foreign Minister, Lamberto Dini, at the end of the bilateral conversation between the Albanian Prime Minister Fatos Nano and the Italian Foreign Minister, Dini, spoke of a “strong alliance” among these Balkan countries. An alliance he defined as “pro-European and democratic.” Not only that, but the Americans and Europeans present at the Durrës meeting also made their positions clear in favor of regional cooperation and economic development. In the end, the joint declaration called on the European Union for a stronger and faster response to the region’s problems. page 16-17 Yesterday in Durrës, the Prime Minister of Albania, Ilir Meta, the Prime Minister of Montenegro, Filip Vujanoviç (right) and the Prime Minister of Macedonia, Ljubço Georgievski (left)

Ministry of Agriculture: We want more funds to deal with the situation The flames continue to devour Albania’s forests. The government allocates 15 million against fires page 16-17

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