Rupel and Albanian FM Confirm Support for Ahtisaari's Plan

Ljubljana, 17 July

Foreign Minister Dimitrij Rupel met his Albanian counterpart Lulzim Basha on Tuesday, the meeting showing that both countries support UN envoy Martti Ahtisaari's proposal for the future of Kosovo and have reservations about putting off a solution.

Slovenia is in favour of Ahtisaari's plan and thinks a postponement should be sought only if it is absolutely necessary, Rupel told the press after the meeting. Ahtisaari's proposal is the best so far, he added. Rupel rejected the possibility of dividing Kosovo, since this could become a big problem for Europe, which had in the past given up on drawing borders according to ethnic principles. Such an approach "could have unforeseen consequences". "We still hope for a good solution... and Slovenia would like that the problems be solved before its EU presidency," Rupel said. If that does not happen, Slovenia will try to carry out its task with the utmost responsibility, he added. Meanwhile, Basha said that Albania strongly supported Ahtisaari's proposal, since it was the best option on the table. "It is a compromise, and a painful one for the majority in Kosovo. However, it was drafted with a deep consideration for Kosovo's future, which will not only be an independent but also a democratic, multi-ethnic Kosovo", Basha added. Albania strongly supports Serbia's future in the EU. Basha stressed that NATO and the EU should be ready in the coming weeks and months to preserve security, peace and stability in the province and to pave the way for Ahtisaari's proposal.
The Albanian foreign minister visited Slovenia only a day after Serbian Foreign Minister Vuk Jeremic was in Ljubljana. Jeremic reiterated Serbia's opposition to Ahtisaari's plan in meetings with Slovenian officials.
Basha said today that he had met Jeremic a number of times and they agreed on more than just supporting the EU prospects of the region, although it was no secret that they disagreed on Kosovo.
Touching on bilateral relations, Rupel said that Slovenia and Albania had good relations, but added that economic cooperation was still poor, although it had picked up recently. Trade between the countries amounted to EUR 28.5m in 2006, which is 39% more than a year before. What is more, Slovenian companies have shown growing interest in investing in Albania, especially in energy production.
As part of today's meeting, Basha and Rupel signed agreements on development cooperation and on international haulage and passenger transport. The ministers also discussed the situation in the Western Balkans and Albania's efforts to join NATO and the EU. Slovenia had already ratified Albania's agreement with the EU on association and stabilisation. Albania is expected to conclude the ratification process and become an EU candidate country next year, Rupel said. Meanwhile, Basha said he expected Albania to join NATO as the alliance holds its summit in Bucharest next year.

Rupel and Albanian FM Confirm Support for Ahtisaari's Plan

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