Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08STATE117789
2008-11-05 16:35:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Secretary of State
Cable title:  

OSCE PERMANENT COUNCIL: RESPONSE TO ADDRESS BY

Tags:  PGOV PREL OSCE AL 
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DE RUEHC #7789 3101645
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P R 051635Z NOV 08
FM SECSTATE WASHDC
TO RUEHVEN/USMISSION USOSCE PRIORITY 5171
INFO ORG FOR SECURITY CO OP IN EUR COLLECTIVE
UNCLAS STATE 117789 

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL OSCE AL
SUBJECT: OSCE PERMANENT COUNCIL: RESPONSE TO ADDRESS BY
ALBANIAN FOREIGN MINISTER LULZIM BASHA

UNCLAS STATE 117789

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL OSCE AL
SUBJECT: OSCE PERMANENT COUNCIL: RESPONSE TO ADDRESS BY
ALBANIAN FOREIGN MINISTER LULZIM BASHA


1. Post is authorized to make the following statement at
the November 6, 2008 meeting of the OSCE Permanent Council in
Vienna:

Begin Text:

Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

The United States Warmly welcomes Minister Basha to the
Permanent Council.

Mr. Minister, your visit comes at a significant juncture for
Albania, which is deepening its integration into a free and
democratic Europe. Albania's interest in the OSCE
Chairmanship in 2012 is another demonstration of its active
and constructive participation in the Euro-Atlantic
community. I would note that the participating States
decided in their ministerial decision of 2006 that the
demonstration of willingness and capacity to exercise
leadership in full implementation of OSCE commitments, norms
and values is one of the key reasons for which OSCE
participating States entrust the functional responsibilities
of the Chairmanship in Office to one of their number.

We congratulate Albania for positive developments in a number
of areas. Consensus among political parties is creating room
for progress on important reform processes, and economic
growth has been strong.

EU and NATO pre-accession activities are bringing more
progress and solidifying existing gains. We recognize that
with Albania's pending accession to the EU and NATO, a
certain amount of attention will shift to these processes.
The activities of the OSCE Presence should be complementary
with pre-accession activities. We welcome improvements in
relations between the Albanian Government and the OSCE
Presence. We appreciate your recognition of the
contributions the OSCE Presence has made in Albania.

The Albanian Government's initiatives against corruption,
trafficking and organized crime also deserve recognition. As
we all know, good governance pays its own dividends, creating
sustained economic growth and investment.

Looking ahead to the 2009 parliamentary elections,
implementing electoral reforms and ensuring that the
electoral infrastructure is in place ahead of these elections
will consolidate the gains already made in democratization.
The OSCE Presence and ODIHR are resources for assistance in
reaching this goal. We encourage you to work closely with
them to maximize their impact.

Mr. Minister, thank you again for joining us today.


Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
RICE