Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08TIRANA488
2008-06-30 13:32:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Tirana
Cable title:
PM THACI'S FIRST OFFICIAL VISIT TO ALBANIA
how-toVZCZCXRO6432 PP RUEHAG RUEHAST RUEHDA RUEHDF RUEHFL RUEHIK RUEHKW RUEHLA RUEHLN RUEHLZ RUEHPOD RUEHROV RUEHSR RUEHVK RUEHYG DE RUEHTI #0488 1821332 ZNR UUUUU ZZH P 301332Z JUN 08 FM AMEMBASSY TIRANA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 7219 INFO RUEHZL/EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE
UNCLAS TIRANA 000488
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR EUR/SCE
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL AL KV
SUBJECT: PM THACI'S FIRST OFFICIAL VISIT TO ALBANIA
UNCLAS TIRANA 000488
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR EUR/SCE
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL AL KV
SUBJECT: PM THACI'S FIRST OFFICIAL VISIT TO ALBANIA
1. (U) SUMMARY: Kosovo Prime Minister Hashim Thaci paid a two-day
official visit to Albania June 19 and 20, accompanied by a 27-member
delegation. It was the first visit of a Kosovar leader since the
country declared independence on February 17. Thaci met with top
political leaders including President Bamir Topi and Parliament
Speaker Josefina Topalli, and traveled to Vlore to accept an
honorary citizenship. The two governments signed a general
Memorandum of Understanding to affirm their mutual commitment to
stability and cooperation in the region. Prime Minister Thaci was
awarded one of Albania's highest honors, the Skanderbeg medal, by
President Topi, reaffirming the special relationship between the two
countries. End Summary.
--------------
A ROUND OF OFFICIAL MEETINGS
--------------
2. (U) Prime Minister Berisha received his Kosovar counterpart with
full state honors, with the Kosovo's flag flying throughout the
capital and its new national anthem played for the first time in
Tirana. Their initial fact-to-face encounter was followed by an
expanded meeting and press conference. The two leaders signed a MoU
to define future cooperation on issues including energy, the fight
against organized crime and corruption, and ongoing efforts to
secure international recognition for Kosovo. Berisha reaffirmed his
government's intent to be a shareholder in a planned thermal power
plant to be built in Kosovo. Both PMs highlighted the important
role that the new Durres-Pristina road will play in deepening
economic relations between the two countries. The warm reception
and personal rapport between the two prime ministers put to rest
allegations of chilly relations between the two that date back to
the mid-90s' Kosovo conflict.
3. (U) President Topi awarded Thaci the Skanderbeg medal, one of
Albania's highest honors, in recognition of his essential role in
the struggle for freedom and independence in Kosovo. Topi also said
that Kosovo would be able to successfully face the challenges that
lay ahead, saying "I have no doubt that Albania and Kosovo will soon
both be members of NATO." Thaci also met with Opposition leader Edi
Rama, with whom he maintains a close and longstanding relationship.
Thaci hailed Rama as "the future leader of Albania and a man of
great changes in our region."
4. (U) Finally, Thaci traveled to Durres to attend a road naming
ceremony and then to Vlora where he was awarded honorary citizenship
by the Mayor. On the way to Vlora, Thaci and Prime Minister Berisha
stopped in Kavaja to pay a visit to the family of an Albanian
soldier who died during the war in Kosovo.
--------------
AN EMOTIONAL ADDRESS TO PARLIAMENT
--------------
5. (U) Thaci delivered an emotional address to Parliament in full
plenary session. He recalled the Kosovar people's struggle for
freedom and expressed gratitude for the century-old support of the
Albanian people and institutions. Interrupted several times by
applause, Thaci also highlighted his personal ties to Tirana, the
city where he had lived for several years after the fall of
communism. "Kosovo and Albania as two independent states have one
goal and one vision: integration into NATO and the EU." Speaking of
the U.S. support for the independence of Kosovo, Thaci said: "A year
ago from this town, President Bush sent a clear message about the
freedom and independence of Kosovo. In this hall of the Albanian
democracy, I would like to thank the U.S., EU, and NATO for their
support."
--------------
COMMENT
--------------
6. (U) While the visit reaffirmed that Kosovo's independence will
mark a period of deepening relations with Albania, the two leaders
once again dismissed press speculation of a Greater Albania,
focusing instead on their mutual commitment to European and NATO
integration. Berisha's press conference comments on the need to
fight organized crime show that Tirana is sensitive to the
international allegations of the presence of organized crime in
Kosovo. Berisha's warm welcome for Thaci also put to rest long
standing allegations of a strained relationship between the two
leaders. Thaci's convivial meeting with Socialist leader Rama,
however, and Thaci's ringing endorsement of Rama's future leadership
confirmed that ties between the two remain strong.
WITHERS
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR EUR/SCE
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL AL KV
SUBJECT: PM THACI'S FIRST OFFICIAL VISIT TO ALBANIA
1. (U) SUMMARY: Kosovo Prime Minister Hashim Thaci paid a two-day
official visit to Albania June 19 and 20, accompanied by a 27-member
delegation. It was the first visit of a Kosovar leader since the
country declared independence on February 17. Thaci met with top
political leaders including President Bamir Topi and Parliament
Speaker Josefina Topalli, and traveled to Vlore to accept an
honorary citizenship. The two governments signed a general
Memorandum of Understanding to affirm their mutual commitment to
stability and cooperation in the region. Prime Minister Thaci was
awarded one of Albania's highest honors, the Skanderbeg medal, by
President Topi, reaffirming the special relationship between the two
countries. End Summary.
--------------
A ROUND OF OFFICIAL MEETINGS
--------------
2. (U) Prime Minister Berisha received his Kosovar counterpart with
full state honors, with the Kosovo's flag flying throughout the
capital and its new national anthem played for the first time in
Tirana. Their initial fact-to-face encounter was followed by an
expanded meeting and press conference. The two leaders signed a MoU
to define future cooperation on issues including energy, the fight
against organized crime and corruption, and ongoing efforts to
secure international recognition for Kosovo. Berisha reaffirmed his
government's intent to be a shareholder in a planned thermal power
plant to be built in Kosovo. Both PMs highlighted the important
role that the new Durres-Pristina road will play in deepening
economic relations between the two countries. The warm reception
and personal rapport between the two prime ministers put to rest
allegations of chilly relations between the two that date back to
the mid-90s' Kosovo conflict.
3. (U) President Topi awarded Thaci the Skanderbeg medal, one of
Albania's highest honors, in recognition of his essential role in
the struggle for freedom and independence in Kosovo. Topi also said
that Kosovo would be able to successfully face the challenges that
lay ahead, saying "I have no doubt that Albania and Kosovo will soon
both be members of NATO." Thaci also met with Opposition leader Edi
Rama, with whom he maintains a close and longstanding relationship.
Thaci hailed Rama as "the future leader of Albania and a man of
great changes in our region."
4. (U) Finally, Thaci traveled to Durres to attend a road naming
ceremony and then to Vlora where he was awarded honorary citizenship
by the Mayor. On the way to Vlora, Thaci and Prime Minister Berisha
stopped in Kavaja to pay a visit to the family of an Albanian
soldier who died during the war in Kosovo.
--------------
AN EMOTIONAL ADDRESS TO PARLIAMENT
--------------
5. (U) Thaci delivered an emotional address to Parliament in full
plenary session. He recalled the Kosovar people's struggle for
freedom and expressed gratitude for the century-old support of the
Albanian people and institutions. Interrupted several times by
applause, Thaci also highlighted his personal ties to Tirana, the
city where he had lived for several years after the fall of
communism. "Kosovo and Albania as two independent states have one
goal and one vision: integration into NATO and the EU." Speaking of
the U.S. support for the independence of Kosovo, Thaci said: "A year
ago from this town, President Bush sent a clear message about the
freedom and independence of Kosovo. In this hall of the Albanian
democracy, I would like to thank the U.S., EU, and NATO for their
support."
--------------
COMMENT
--------------
6. (U) While the visit reaffirmed that Kosovo's independence will
mark a period of deepening relations with Albania, the two leaders
once again dismissed press speculation of a Greater Albania,
focusing instead on their mutual commitment to European and NATO
integration. Berisha's press conference comments on the need to
fight organized crime show that Tirana is sensitive to the
international allegations of the presence of organized crime in
Kosovo. Berisha's warm welcome for Thaci also put to rest long
standing allegations of a strained relationship between the two
leaders. Thaci's convivial meeting with Socialist leader Rama,
however, and Thaci's ringing endorsement of Rama's future leadership
confirmed that ties between the two remain strong.
WITHERS