Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07TIRANA1015
2007-12-04 09:01:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Tirana
Cable title:
PRESIDENT TOPI IN GREECE: ROLL OUT THE RED CARPET
how-toVZCZCXRO2901 RR RUEHPOD DE RUEHTI #1015 3380901 ZNR UUUUU ZZH R 040901Z DEC 07 ZDK FM AMEMBASSY TIRANA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 6437 INFO RUEHTH/AMEMBASSY ATHENS 3235 RUEHBW/AMEMBASSY BELGRADE 3017 RUEHPOD/AMEMBASSY PODGORICA 0051 RUEHVJ/AMEMBASSY SARAJEVO 0688 RUEHSQ/AMEMBASSY SKOPJE 4449 RUEHRO/AMEMBASSY ROME 5674 RUEHPS/USOFFICE PRISTINA 3716 RUEHNO/USMISSION USNATO 3497 RUEHVEN/USMISSION USOSCE 2366 RUEHBS/USEU BRUSSELS
UNCLAS TIRANA 001015
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
DEPT FOR EUR/SCE
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL AL
SUBJECT: PRESIDENT TOPI IN GREECE: ROLL OUT THE RED CARPET
UNCLAS TIRANA 001015
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
DEPT FOR EUR/SCE
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL AL
SUBJECT: PRESIDENT TOPI IN GREECE: ROLL OUT THE RED CARPET
1. (SBU) Athens welcomed President Bamir Topi for his first state
visit to Greece November 25 - 27. Accompanied by a delegation of
government officials and Albanian businessmen, the visit's positive
images and controlled public relations message overshadowed enduring
tensions on many of the political issues that hang between the two
countries. Topi and his diplomatic adviser were thrilled by the
reception the President received from his Greek hosts.
2. (U) Significant pomp accompanied the visit, beginning with a
jet-fighter escort through Greek airspace and streets lined with
Albania's double-headed eagle flag. The delegation included Foreign
Minister Basha, Interior Minister Nishani, Health Minister Ndoka,
Members of Parliament, local mayors and businessmen.
3. (SBU) Official meetings with Greek President Karolos Papoulias
and Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis focused on bilateral and
regional issues, widely covered in the local media, including
increased cooperation on economic, security, customs, and education
issues. Little was said publicly on the more sensitive topics of
Kosovo status, NATO accession and reciprocal minority populations.
President Papoulias endorsed Albania's path to NATO accession,
saying that "Greece steadily supports Albania's European and
Euro-Atlantic course to further strengthen stability in the region
and beyond." He accepted an invitation from Topi to visit Albania.
Prime Minister Karamanlis pledged Greece's ratification of Albania's
Stabilization and Association Agreement, already approved by 14 EU
countries.
4. (SBU) COMMENT: Topi's trip is another example of Albania's broad
international lobbying effort in the months leading up to next
spring's NATO Summit in Bucharest. Tension between Greece and
Albania waxes and wanes, particularly on key issues such as minority
rights and regional relations. Nonetheless, Topi and his delegation
reported a warm welcome and claimed success in forging deeper ties
with a NATO ally whose support is key in the region.
WITHERS
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
DEPT FOR EUR/SCE
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL AL
SUBJECT: PRESIDENT TOPI IN GREECE: ROLL OUT THE RED CARPET
1. (SBU) Athens welcomed President Bamir Topi for his first state
visit to Greece November 25 - 27. Accompanied by a delegation of
government officials and Albanian businessmen, the visit's positive
images and controlled public relations message overshadowed enduring
tensions on many of the political issues that hang between the two
countries. Topi and his diplomatic adviser were thrilled by the
reception the President received from his Greek hosts.
2. (U) Significant pomp accompanied the visit, beginning with a
jet-fighter escort through Greek airspace and streets lined with
Albania's double-headed eagle flag. The delegation included Foreign
Minister Basha, Interior Minister Nishani, Health Minister Ndoka,
Members of Parliament, local mayors and businessmen.
3. (SBU) Official meetings with Greek President Karolos Papoulias
and Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis focused on bilateral and
regional issues, widely covered in the local media, including
increased cooperation on economic, security, customs, and education
issues. Little was said publicly on the more sensitive topics of
Kosovo status, NATO accession and reciprocal minority populations.
President Papoulias endorsed Albania's path to NATO accession,
saying that "Greece steadily supports Albania's European and
Euro-Atlantic course to further strengthen stability in the region
and beyond." He accepted an invitation from Topi to visit Albania.
Prime Minister Karamanlis pledged Greece's ratification of Albania's
Stabilization and Association Agreement, already approved by 14 EU
countries.
4. (SBU) COMMENT: Topi's trip is another example of Albania's broad
international lobbying effort in the months leading up to next
spring's NATO Summit in Bucharest. Tension between Greece and
Albania waxes and wanes, particularly on key issues such as minority
rights and regional relations. Nonetheless, Topi and his delegation
reported a warm welcome and claimed success in forging deeper ties
with a NATO ally whose support is key in the region.
WITHERS