FROM MR. BERISHA’S SPEECH AT THE COUNCIL OF EUROPE SUMMIT HELD IN VIENNA ON 8–9 OCTOBER 1993 The Vienna Summit, attended by the Heads of State or Government of the member states of the Council of Europe, was the first summit at this level in the history of the Council. The principles of this meeting focused on two main lines: 1. The role of the Council of Europe in the new Europe; and 2. Efforts to strengthen democracy, respect for human rights, and the rule of law. Also invited to this Summit were states that had requested to become members of the Council of Europe, such as Albania, Belarus, Croatia, Latvia, Moldova, Russia and Ukraine. During the two-day proceedings of the Summit, a special session was held with the participation of the aforementioned non-member states. At this session, the heads of the delegations of the non-member states presented the situation in their countries in light of the criteria for admission as members of the Council of Europe, namely: 1. the development of democracy and free elections; 2. respect for human and minority rights; 3. the establishment of the rule of law. Our President, Mr. Berisha, also spoke at this session. Below we publish excerpts from his speech. The entire reform in Albania has had, and continues to have, as its goal the establishment of the rule of law and a market economy. To achieve these vital objectives for the country’s fate, the country embarked on profound political, legislative, institutional and economic reforms. Thus, in the political sphere, there are today three positive developments in Albania: First, central and local government are elected by free vote; Second, political pluralism has been consolidated and continues to be consolidated ever further. Dozens and dozens of parties across the parliamentary and non-parliamentary spectrum, dozens of associations and non-governmental organizations complete the spectrum of political pluralism in Albania; Third, an important achievement has been the replacement of the old nomenklatura and apparatchiks with new activists and employees. In the legislative sphere, Albania today has, as constitutional laws, more than 95 percent of an Albanian Parliamentary Constitution, and has approved dozens and hundreds of laws that guarantee the development of the rule of law and a market economy. In this regard, the Council of Europe and its mission in Tirana, “Task Force Albania,” have been of great importance to Albania, and we are very grateful for this. Among these laws, which are of European standard, the most fundamental … small and medium-sized [enterprises] have been privatized. Production growth this year is the highest in Europe, at around 8 percent, and a medium-term cooperation agreement with the IMF has been signed. All this shows that reform in Albania has been a real success, and in freedom by expanding freedom. But the entire success of the reform is due to two factors: First, the courage of the Albanians, who accepted great pain and sacrifice, characteristic of shock therapy and the building of a social market economy; Second, the great assistance of the European Community, the member states of the Council of Europe and other friendly countries. Mr. Berisha expressed his deep gratitude to all the governments, institutions and countries that helped us. He expressed special gratitude to all the citizens of Europe who paid taxes and shared their hard-earned money from their taxes—hundreds and hundreds of millions of dollars—with the Albanians during this difficult period in their history. After Mr. Berisha finished speaking, Ms. Çuderu, head of the Greek delegation, asked to speak and raised the issue of the rights of the Greek minority in Albania. In reply, the President once again thanked the Greek people, the Greek government and Greece for the great assistance they had provided Albania during this difficult period. He assured the head of the delegation and all member states of the Council of Europe that our gratitude for this assistance remains unwavering. He then expressed concern at the raising of Albania at a time when Albania is committed to, and has made concrete efforts toward, respecting its rights. He drew the attention of the Chair and all the participating states to the fact that comparing the Kosovo issue with that of the Greek minority in Albania is very dangerous and seeks to ease Millosheviç’s position in the name of the Serbian-Greek alliance, which is creating tensions in the Balkan region. Therefore, any attempt to politicize the minority issue is not only unrealistic, but does not serve the situation in the region either. Regarding the rights of the Greek minority in Albania, the High Commissioner for Minorities, Mr. Van der Stoel, recently presented his report, which is impartial and does not speak of violations of minority rights. As for its right to education, he explained that Albania has not closed schools for minorities; on the contrary, it keeps classes open even with only two pupils, which is costly for Albania today. Moreover, when he met Mr. Micotaqis in Ankara, the latter thanked him and said that he was very satisfied with the situation of the Greek minority in Albania. Yet, strangely, two months later, in his statement, he claimed the opposite, portraying the minority as oppressed. The President expressed the hope that these positions were merely reflections of the pre-election campaign and did not represent the true climate of relations between Albania and Greece. Albanians have more than enough reason to be good neighbours with Greece. ...and relations between it and Greece. In the legislative sphere, Albania today has more than 95 percent of the Albanian Parliamentary Constitution as constitutional law, the development of the rule of law and the its mission in Tirana, «Task Force Albania», have provided Albania with great assistance, for which we are very grateful. Among these laws, which meet European standards, the most fundamental is undoubtedly the Charter of Human Rights, which today is among the most advanced. But what matters more is that today in Albania human freedoms and rights are not only protected in everyday life, but are expanding and will continue to expand every day. Thus, Albanians today are fully guaranteed freedom of thought and its expression; the country has the largest number of private newspapers per capita in Europe. It is a country of religious freedom and religious tolerance. Albanians travel anywhere without obstruction from the country's authorities and fully enjoy the right to free initiative. Albanians enjoy these rights without any discrimination. The minority, too, has had its associations, free press and schools, and practises its religion; it is guaranteed the development and strengthening of its ethnic identity. On the other hand, I believe Albania is an example in developing its integration with the majority. For precisely these reasons, the minority has members of parliament, ministers, ambassadors and judges nominated by other parties. In Albania, when it comes to employment or election, no one asks about nationality, only citizenship. Nevertheless, the Greek government, through its policy of increasing tension in the southern Balkans, is doing much and exploiting the Greek minority in Albania. For this purpose, Mr Van der Stoel and his report stated the truth about this minority. In the institutional sphere, Albania has taken major steps forward in building an independent judicial system and training jurists; the Constitutional Court has been established for the first time; all state institutions underwent a profound and transparent reform: the Army, the police, SHIK, the diplomatic service, etc. In the economic sphere, Albania began its reform amid great devastation, a complete paralysis of production and rampant inflation. Today, after 18 months, inflation has fallen to 1.3 percent, prices have been liberalized, the lek is stable, land has been privatized, and apartments are being privatized. Trade and transport have likewise been privatized, and finally 300 enterpri- [continued on page 6]

with the Heads of State or Government and Foreign Ministers of various countries during the Vienna Summit (8–9 October 1993) Mr. Berisha’s first meeting was with the President of Austria, Mr. Klestil. At this meeting, Mr. Berisha expressed his views on the crisis in the Balkans, emphasizing the idea that the current plan to divide Bosnia-Herzegovina justifies ethnic cleansing and the occupations carried out by the Serbs. He expressed particular concern about the ever-increasing repression of Albanians in Kosovo and the danger that Millosheviçi would unleash a conflict in Kosovo because of the passivity shown by the international community. A brief overview was then given of the progress of economic reform in Albania. Finally, he asked for Austria’s support in intensifying bilateral relations. For his part, Mr. Klestil expressed the view that Albania meets the criteria for membership in the Council of Europe, Mr. Martine[z?]. At this meeting, Mr. Berisha insisted on Albania’s joining the Council of Europe as soon as possible, since Albania had fulfilled all the conditions for membership. Mr. Martinez told Mr. Berisha that he agreed Albania had fulfilled all the conditions for membership, but that a certain period of procedure was required to complete the accession, involving the work of the Council of Europe’s committees, subcommittees and reports. Mr. Berisha then met Austria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Mok, whom he thanked for the great support he gives Albania, and then repeated his concerns about the crisis in the Balkan region and the danger of war in Kosovo. After this brief conversation, the meeting with Mr. Mok continued one-on-one. In another meeting with Turkey’s Prime Minister, Ms. Çiler, Mr. Berisha thanked Turkey for the great assistance it had given Albania and for its support of ... He does not let the … [text at the top is cut off] … compromising. Council of Europe and that he fully agrees with Mr. Berisha’s views on the crisis in the Balkans, and particularly on the Kosovo issue. He also confirmed Austria’s continued adherence to its known position on the above matters. He further promised to give his support both to Albania’s integration into Europe and to promoting bilateral relations, and accepted the invitation to visit Albania. Mr. Berisha’s next meeting was with the Prime Minister of Holland, Mr. Lubers. This meeting also included an overview of developments in Albania’s reform, emphasizing that Albania had fulfilled all the criteria to become a member of the Council of Europe. An outline was also given of Albania’s views on the crisis in the region, focusing particularly on the measures the international community should take to prevent a possible spread of the war into Kosovo, which would be the most unimaginable consequence. Mr. Berisha suggested that Holland could play its part in ensuring that the Security Council adopt a resolution that would make the use of NATO forces conditional if Millosheviçi unleashed war in Kosovo. Mr. Berisha, recognizing the role of dialogue in resolving problems, stressed that dialogue had so far failed in Kosovo because the Serbs had made no concessions to the Albanians. He then sought Holland’s support for the agreement reached between the EC and the progress of Albania’s membership in NATO, and for promoting relations and all-round cooperation with Holland. Mr. Lubers was invited to visit Albania. Mr. Lubers, for his part, gladly accepted the invitation and promised that he would take steps to promote cooperation and coordinate actions between the two countries. Regarding the crisis in the region, Mr. Lubers expressed his view on Mr. Berisha’s proposal for resolving the war in Kosovo and stressed that efforts should be made to overcome the … [continuation cut off] … the meeting with Mr. Mok continued one-on-one. At thanked Turkey for the great assistance it has given and continues to give Albania, and asked for its support in developing comprehensive cooperation between our two friendly countries. In this regard, emphasis was placed on abolishing visas for traders from the two countries and encouraging Turkish investment in Albania. Ms. Çiler spoke of Turkey’s traditionally friendly relations with Albania and the assistance Turkey would continue to give Albania in the future. An overview was then given of developments between Albania and Turkey, and of the steps Turkey could take to support Albania’s membership in the Council of Europe and NATO. Finally, Mr. Berisha invited Ms. Çiler to come to Albania. Mr. Berisha then met Slovenia’s Prime Minister, Mr. Dërnovshek. After speaking to him about democratic developments in Albania and the situation in the region, he stressed the importance of developing bilateral relations between Albania and Slovenia. Mr. Dërnovshek expressed approval of Albania’s position on the crisis in the region and the Kosovo issue. Mr. Berisha repeated his invitation to him to come to Albania, as well as to Slovenian President Mr. Kugan. Mr. Berisha also met the Hungarian Foreign Minister, Mr. Jezensk, who began by congratulating Mr. Berisha on the overthrow of the dictatorship in Albania and the successes achieved in democratic developments. He also expressed a desire to help Albania find the most fruitful avenues for cooperation. For his part, Mr. Berisha expressed concern about the crisis in the Balkans and the support some forces in Europe were giving the Serbs. He stressed that Serbia and Macedonia could never be a factor for stability. He then sought Hungary’s support for Albania’s entry into the Council of Europe. On this issue, Mr. Jezensk said that Albania met all the criteria for joining the Council of Europe and would have the support of the Hungarian mission in Strasbourg in this regard. The following day, on the 9th, bilateral meetings continued. Mr. Berisha’s first meeting was with the Chairman of the European Parlia- [continued on page 6] …tary Assembly. Mr. Berisha then met the Prime Minister of Sweden, Mr. Bildt. At this meeting, Mr. Berisha explained the crisis in the region and the Albanian position on it in detail, emphasizing that Albanians were pursuing a policy of a peaceful “step-by-step” solution. He asked Mr. Bildt to join efforts to link the embargo against Serbia to the resolution of the Kosovo problem, as the only way to compel Millosheviçi to deal seriously with the Kosovo problem. Otherwise, Millosheviçi would not stop using his two means of realizing Greater Serbia: occupation and ethnic cleansing. Taking the floor, Mr. Bildt said he would consider the possibility of efforts to link the embargo to the Kosovo problem, but assured him that he fully agreed with the idea that Millosheviçi must be put under pressure and that action must be taken in response to what he might have planned for the future. Mr. Bildt then asked Mr. Berisha for his opinion on the danger of Millosheviçi igniting a conflict in Kosovo. Mr. Berisha replied, emphasizing that the danger was real. In response, Mr. Bildt noted Sweden’s presence in the Balkans with its observers and said that they would consider the possibility of a special initiative for the Balkans. Mr. Bildt then asked about Albania’s relations with Macedonia and Greece. Mr. Berisha emphasized Albania’s consistent goodwill toward Macedonia, demonstrated both by Albania’s recognition of Macedonia and by the practical relations the two states currently maintain. He highlighted the difference between the Albanian and Greek positions on the admission of Macedonia to the CSCE. Greece, Mr. Berisha added, did not speak out against the “Republic of Macedonia” for 50 years because it was part of Yugoslavia and therefore had common borders with it. This shows that the name is not the real reason for Greece’s position, but rather chauvinistic aims to share a border with its territory. Albania, by contrast, has a humanitarian aim based on concern for the Albanians living in Macedonia. Responding to Mr. Bildt’s question about Albania’s relations with … [continued]

ATHENS-GREECE Dear Mr. PAPANDREU, Allow me to convey my congratulations to you on your victory in the general elections in Greece, and to take this opportunity to express my willingness to increase cooperation between our two parties, as parties in government, in the interests of both countries. Respectfully, EDUARD SELAMI Chairman of the PDSh Tirana, 11.10.1993

The result of the latest elections in Greece marked a change of power. PASOK, led by 75-year-old Andreas Papandreu, won around 46 percent of the votes, while the “New Democracy” Party of Prime Minister Konstantin Micotaqis won around 41 percent. The third-placed party was that of Antonis Samaras, Micotaqis’s former Foreign Minister. Papandreu was Greece’s first socialist Prime Minister. He won the ’81 elections and then remained in power for eight years. During the period Papandreu governed, Albania’s relations with Greece saw positive developments: Papandreu annulled the state of war that had absurdly continued to exist for years between Albania and Greece. The opening of the Kakavija border crossing would also be an important step in developing relations between the two countries. Papandreu left the scene (Continued on page 6)