Documenti
A SPA delegation, headed by its chairman, Fatos Nano, met a Greek Foreign Ministry delegation, headed by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Teodoros Pangalos, under the request of the last one.
After Nano-Pangalos tet-a-tet meeting, the representatives of both delegations exchanged opinions, in a very cordial and friendly atmosphere, on the country's current situation and on June 29-th elections.
Mr. Pangalos expressed the overall serious commitment of the Greek Government in providing its contribution to bring the country to normality and to hold free and fair elections, which will pave the way to the European Community and its member countries to be committed seriously in the Albanian economic reconstruction. He underlined Greek Government's commitment, as a neighbouring country, to Albanian sovereignty protection and its economic development.
Mr. Nano expressed the gratitude on the Greek Government's commitment in the deepening of the democratic processes in Albania and its readiness to assist with the multinational military force in establishing order and peace in the country.
He expressed to the Greek Foreign Minister most of the political forces' will to hold honest and uncontested elections by any political forces or Albanian electorate.
Within this frame, Mr. Nano mentioned some of the preconditions like the change of the time limit of the electoral process and the state of emergency lift. Of great importance, Mr. Nano, considered the presence of as many as possible foreign observers, including here Greek ones, as well, who will play an important factor either in free and fair elections or in their outcome.
Both sides estimated highly the meeting and were for its continuation in Athens, where, very soon, a SPA delegation will pay a visit under the invitation of PASOK.
Fino - Pangalos meeting
The Albanian Prime Minister, Bashkim Fino, in his meeting with the Greek Foreign Minister, Teodoros Pangalos, expressed the Reconciliation Government's view on the country's current situation, on the elections administration, on the measures taken for the record of the population, the assurance of the elections logistics, most of which will come from abroad.
In the gist of the Albanians' consciousness, went on the Albanian Prime Minister, rest the lack of confidence in a transparent electoral process. That's why we demand a good number of foreign observers and sufficient guarantees in the polling stations. Mr. Fino considered as of great importance Greek contribution and that of international community in increasing the number of the militarymen within the multinational forces and the re-interpretation and the extension of their mandate, especially during and after the elections.
The latest terroristic acts, are a clear testimony of the political climate the electoral campaign is held and the utmost is to be done in assisting Albanian police, still not well organised, after the last Albanian crisis.
The Primer, Fino, pointed out that the lift of the state of emergency from those who imposed it, is a testimony of the political will for a peaceful electoral campaign, with a low cost.
Personally, I am young and I can not bare on my shoulders the terror and the high cost these elections are requiring.
The commitment for a normal and civilised electoral campaign requires the realisation of a peaceful social pact.
The national reconciliation spirit, this Government has tempted to spread around all over the country, should be followed by political forces' serious commitments, by appealing to their sympathizers to lower down their hatred weapons and calm down the press, by not terrorizing the Albanians.
The Greek Foreign Minister, Pangalos, after thanking for the reception, confessed Greek Government's commitments in assisting the Government of the National Reconciliation to realize free and democratic elections. The Greek Minister explained that the interest to assist Albanians in these difficult moments is not a diplomatic phrase, but a vital issue, which consists in the protection of the Albanian territorial integrity, in the existence of a normal democratic regime and the country's economic reconstruction and prosperity. This is due not only to the territorial continuity, but, to the reciprocal existence of the Greek minority in Albania and Albanian immigrants in Greece.
Without willing to interfere in your own affairs, went on Mr. Pangalos, Greece will make its utmost to assist in having transparent elections, meeting Albanian people's will through them. Within this frame, Greece will assist, in the bilateral aspect and within the frame of EU and OSCE, to hold elections and economic revive of the country. The Greek Minister took down notes for as many as possible observers and peace-keeping forces during the electoral process.
The Greek Minister, Pangalos, confessed that Greek assistance for the Albanian police, as well as the assistance to collect Albanian custom duties in the Greek territory, are in the process of being finalized. Within this frame, the Greek Minister confessed his mediation to the Romanian Foreign Minister for a more active role of the military forces located in the cross border area.
The Greek Minister of Foreign Affairs transmitted to the Albanian Primer e greeting message of the Greek Prime Minister.
At the end of the meeting the two interlocutors held tet-a-tet negotiations.
Albanian Helsinki Committee:
Terrorism - electoral campaign serious danger
Albanian Helsinki Committee, referring to last bomb blasting in the center of Tirana and other terroristic acts, condemns them, by describing as not saving the bloodshed of the simple citizens, in realising their criminal targets.
We unite with the people deep indignation against the materialisation of these secret plans, which aim country's instability, especially, in such a delicate period of time, during which the whole people have the chance to open up a new page, that of the normal life and social peace.
Being conscious on the moment's seriousness and by understanding, at the same time, the feelings of the people's revolt against such terroristic acts, the Albanian Helsinki Committee is of the opinion that everybody should control himself, should not fall into panic, just in such kind of situations, the extreme forces wish to create.