Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08TIRANA120
2008-02-20 06:23:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Tirana
Cable title:
MGKV01: ALBANIA UPGRADES RELATIONS WITH KOSOVO TO
how-toVZCZCXRO2095 OO RUEHAG RUEHAST RUEHDA RUEHDF RUEHFL RUEHIK RUEHKW RUEHLA RUEHLN RUEHLZ RUEHPOD RUEHROV RUEHSR RUEHVK RUEHYG DE RUEHTI #0120 0510623 ZNR UUUUU ZZH O 200623Z FEB 08 FM AMEMBASSY TIRANA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 6701 INFO RUEHZL/EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE RUEAWJA/DEPT OF JUSTICE WASHDC
UNCLAS TIRANA 000120
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
DEPT FOR EUR/SCE
DEPT OF JUSTICE FOR OPDAT, ICITAP
E.O. 12958:N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV KV AL
SUBJECT: MGKV01: ALBANIA UPGRADES RELATIONS WITH KOSOVO TO
AMBASSADORIAL REPRESENTATION
REF: A) 02/18/08 THIEDE-KOSOVO MONITORING GROUP E-MAIL
- B) TIRANA 112
UNCLAS TIRANA 000120
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
DEPT FOR EUR/SCE
DEPT OF JUSTICE FOR OPDAT, ICITAP
E.O. 12958:N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV KV AL
SUBJECT: MGKV01: ALBANIA UPGRADES RELATIONS WITH KOSOVO TO
AMBASSADORIAL REPRESENTATION
REF: A) 02/18/08 THIEDE-KOSOVO MONITORING GROUP E-MAIL
- B) TIRANA 112
1. (SBU) As reported Ref A, Prime Minister Sali Berisha announced
on February 18 at 18:30 local time that Albania would elevate its
relations with Kosovo to the ambassadorial level. (As reported Ref
B, Albania recognized independent Kosovo on October 22, 1991. While
it withdrew its Embassy several years later, recognition was never
rescinded.) Our informal translation of the Prime Minister's
announcement follows at para 3.
2. (SBU) The Council of Ministers met on February 19 to finalize
the move, voting to establish relations with Kosovo as the PM
indicated. Islam Lauka, currently Director General for Multilateral
Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, was announced as the
Albanian ambassador, pending final decree by President Topi, who is
expected to concur. Lauka will appear befor QQ0Q! Q Q!" Q%0`(aQQQAffairs Committee, but P Q`Q`QaQ@BQ @(BQB(QQQ F is not required.
(COMMEBQon, in view of th`hborly relations, I will Qummon tomorrow a meeting of the
Council of Minisers to establish diplomatic relations between the
Republic of Albania and the Republic of Kosovaat an ambassadorial
level.
The Government of Qhe Republic of Albania considers the creation of
the State of Kosova a historical event that sanctions the right of
the citizens of Kosova to self-determination and which makes the
Balkans freer and fairer than ever before in their century-long
history. The independence of Kosova puts an end to the process of
the breakup of former Yugoslavia, creates the conditions necessary
for a sustainable and comprehensive development for the whole of
Kosovar society, including the concrete perspective of integration
as soon as possible into the European and Euro-Atlantic
institutions. With the declaration of independence, the Republic of
Kosova becomes a worthy actor in the international arena, a major
factor for stability and peace in the region with a clear Euro
Atlantic orientation, an important factor for peace, stability,
security, development and harmonized integration in Southeastern
Europe.
The Government of the Republic of Albania greets the Kosova
Parliament's commitment to the implementation of the Ahtisaari
Package, as expressed in [their] Declaration of Independence, as
well as their invitation to welcome the international civil and
military presence of the European Union and NATO in Kosova.
The Albanian government values the official authorities' clear
commitment [as expressed] in Kosova's Declaration of Independence to
building a democratic, secular, and multiethnic society in Kosovo,
where every resident, irrespective of their ethnic background, can
feel free in their homes and properties, [thus] guaranteeing the
protection and promotion of the rights and freedoms of the
individual and of the ethnic minorities.
Confirming our full commitment to respecting the international
borders, the Republic of Albania is determined to further expand and
deepen relations of good neighborliness, understanding and
cooperation with the Republic of Kosova, [relations] built through
history and strengthened continuously, and by establishing a close
partnership, expand and institutionalize these relations at all
levels and fields of mutual interest. In this context, the Council
of Ministers will decide tomorrow on opening the diplomatic mission
of the Republic of Albania to Prishtina at the level of Ambassador.
The Government of the Republic of Albania expresses its confidence
that UN member states will recognize the Republic of Kosova [thus
providing] an additional contribution to peace and security in the
Balkans, in respect also of the legitimate will of its people.
At the same time, the Government of the Republic of Albania confirms
its full commitment to building good and friendly relations with all
the countries of the region, including the Republic of Serbia on the
path of European perspective for our countries.
End text.
WITHERS
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
DEPT FOR EUR/SCE
DEPT OF JUSTICE FOR OPDAT, ICITAP
E.O. 12958:N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV KV AL
SUBJECT: MGKV01: ALBANIA UPGRADES RELATIONS WITH KOSOVO TO
AMBASSADORIAL REPRESENTATION
REF: A) 02/18/08 THIEDE-KOSOVO MONITORING GROUP E-MAIL
- B) TIRANA 112
1. (SBU) As reported Ref A, Prime Minister Sali Berisha announced
on February 18 at 18:30 local time that Albania would elevate its
relations with Kosovo to the ambassadorial level. (As reported Ref
B, Albania recognized independent Kosovo on October 22, 1991. While
it withdrew its Embassy several years later, recognition was never
rescinded.) Our informal translation of the Prime Minister's
announcement follows at para 3.
2. (SBU) The Council of Ministers met on February 19 to finalize
the move, voting to establish relations with Kosovo as the PM
indicated. Islam Lauka, currently Director General for Multilateral
Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, was announced as the
Albanian ambassador, pending final decree by President Topi, who is
expected to concur. Lauka will appear befor QQ0Q! Q Q!" Q%0`(aQQQAffairs Committee, but P Q`Q`QaQ@BQ @(BQB(QQQ F is not required.
(COMMEBQon, in view of th`hborly relations, I will Qummon tomorrow a meeting of the
Council of Minisers to establish diplomatic relations between the
Republic of Albania and the Republic of Kosovaat an ambassadorial
level.
The Government of Qhe Republic of Albania considers the creation of
the State of Kosova a historical event that sanctions the right of
the citizens of Kosova to self-determination and which makes the
Balkans freer and fairer than ever before in their century-long
history. The independence of Kosova puts an end to the process of
the breakup of former Yugoslavia, creates the conditions necessary
for a sustainable and comprehensive development for the whole of
Kosovar society, including the concrete perspective of integration
as soon as possible into the European and Euro-Atlantic
institutions. With the declaration of independence, the Republic of
Kosova becomes a worthy actor in the international arena, a major
factor for stability and peace in the region with a clear Euro
Atlantic orientation, an important factor for peace, stability,
security, development and harmonized integration in Southeastern
Europe.
The Government of the Republic of Albania greets the Kosova
Parliament's commitment to the implementation of the Ahtisaari
Package, as expressed in [their] Declaration of Independence, as
well as their invitation to welcome the international civil and
military presence of the European Union and NATO in Kosova.
The Albanian government values the official authorities' clear
commitment [as expressed] in Kosova's Declaration of Independence to
building a democratic, secular, and multiethnic society in Kosovo,
where every resident, irrespective of their ethnic background, can
feel free in their homes and properties, [thus] guaranteeing the
protection and promotion of the rights and freedoms of the
individual and of the ethnic minorities.
Confirming our full commitment to respecting the international
borders, the Republic of Albania is determined to further expand and
deepen relations of good neighborliness, understanding and
cooperation with the Republic of Kosova, [relations] built through
history and strengthened continuously, and by establishing a close
partnership, expand and institutionalize these relations at all
levels and fields of mutual interest. In this context, the Council
of Ministers will decide tomorrow on opening the diplomatic mission
of the Republic of Albania to Prishtina at the level of Ambassador.
The Government of the Republic of Albania expresses its confidence
that UN member states will recognize the Republic of Kosova [thus
providing] an additional contribution to peace and security in the
Balkans, in respect also of the legitimate will of its people.
At the same time, the Government of the Republic of Albania confirms
its full commitment to building good and friendly relations with all
the countries of the region, including the Republic of Serbia on the
path of European perspective for our countries.
End text.
WITHERS