Opening of the ministerial meeting of the NACC/ Euro-Atlantic Partnership Council (EAPC) Sintra, Portugal 30 May 1997

Statement of H.E. Mr. Arian Starova Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Albania

Distinguished Mr. chairman, Distinguished colleagues, Ladies and gentlemen, May I begin by thanking the Portuguese authorities for the excellent organization of this meeting and extend our gratitude for their hospitality. In these first words I also like to express our appreciation for the agreement signed in Paris a few days ago between NATO and Russia which constitutes a major step towards building the new Security Architecture and the best background for the upcoming developments in the relations between the Alliance and partners, in particular NATO enlargement. As we have pointed out many times, we welcome the process on NATO enlargement and look forward to be part of it. In our opinion this process should be transparent, continuous and open to all those wishing so. I feel obliged, Mr. Chairman, to briefly tough on the situation in Albania, not merely present to you what is happening in a member country of this gathering but mainly because it is directly linked with different aspects of security and the regional one especially. History has witnessed that in the life of every nation, sooner or later there are moments of unexpected events, crises of various intensity where hopes and disappointments confront, and the prospective gets blurred from the fury of events. Courage, determination and clear perception are needed to overcome such unhappy moments. Such is the present day situation in Albania, though I would however like to say that the worst is hopefully behind and even though slowly, all signs are for the impasse to be soon overcome and the country enter its normal way of development. The opening up of the country, wide liberalization of the social and economic life, freeing of enterpreneurship energies as well as pro-business policies of the post communist governments brought up an unprecedented dynamism of the Albanian economic life in the fields of trade, services and to some extent production. Unfortunately, this new and active reality which produced fast social changes was confronted with an extraordinarily poor infrastructure heritage as well as institutional difficulties, which most probably constitute the biggest handicap of our future development and of our integration aspirations, and where special attention needs to be focused both from the government and from the foreign assistance. Especially, banking infrastructure could not reach its development at the required level in order to appropriately respond to the new economic reality the country was going through. Such contradictions became the source of different social and economic tensions which as may be known played a considerable role in the current Albanian crisis. Situated along the borders of an affluent consumer society, the Albanian society did not resist the dreamy temptation of quick get rich and fell victim of the so-called fraudulent pyramid schemes. Finding a fertile ground created by political problems that followed last May election, a part of the Albanian opposition used and channeled the desperation of different layers of society, especially in the south of the country where the activity of these companies was more widespread, a thing which led to the already known precipitation of events of the last months. This situation alarmed Europe with the ghost of a civil war which would have created a new conflict in the south of Balkans and maybe beyond. It is precisely in this moment that the Albanian political parties managed to stand above their party interests. They generated a renewed good will of cooperation between them which reached its peak with the agreement between them and President Berisha on 9 March, leading to the creation of the Government of National Reconciliation with the participation of 10 major political parties where the hopes of the Albanians for a political solution to come out of the political elections of 29 June, are channeled. The Albanian political parties have realized that the only way to overcome the chaos and move towards the future is broad political consensus. I take this opportunity to thank the international community for the attention paid to the Albanian crisis and the goodwill shown for finding a solution despite the initial excesses of some media reports which to some extend could be understandable due to their lack of knowledge about the reality in the country. I like to particularly thank the European Union the United States of America, our neighboring countries Italy, Greece, Turkey, Romania and other friendly neighboring countries, the OSCE and especially the Chairman in Office of the OSCE, Minister Petersen and his personal representative on Albania, Dr. Vranitzky for their efforts and valuable contribution in dealing successfully with the problems of Albania. A good will initiative also taken by these friendly countries led to the organization of a donors preparatory conference on the economic reconstruction of Albania held in Rome on the 26 of this month, where a detailed program for the Albanian recovery after elections was presented. I would like to assure you that Albania will hold elections as foreseen despite allegations from any political force to boycott them putting forward different pretexts. The firm stand taken by some friendly countries against the boycott policy constitutes a priceless contribution to the holding of the upcoming elections and to the understanding between political parties. The Albanian Army was unfortunately part of those institutions that were profoundly shaken by the last tragic events. The mandate of the present government is limited in time and substance and it can not undertake a thorough reorganization of the army. However, serious efforts are underway to reorganize a number of key units. Our opinion is that its rebuilding will be based on contemporary and modern concepts taking into account the current international relations and our aspirations for integration. We would like to see NATO actively assisting us in this difficult but very important process. The current situation hasn't in any way changed the Albanian policy towards getting ever closer to NATO and seeking future membership into the organization. Albania is one of the first to have joined NACC and the successful PfP initiative and has a positive record in this framework. Another positive fact is also that none of the Albanian political forces is pronounced against our country's membership into NATO. This stand is and will remain one of the unchangeable points in Albania's foreign and security policy because this does not merely express a will of the political leadership, but also an aspiration of the whole Albanian people. Moreover, it will continue to play its role in support of peace and stability in the region. Even under the current conditions it is making its utmost to prevent the crisis at home from influencing abroad. This may be considered to be the humble role of a country in providing some security in the region. At the same time it is very important that the international community persists in its efforts to finding a peaceful settlement of the Kosova problem. The Albanian government is deeply grateful to the international community for the quick and energetic response given to our call for help and support. The Multinational Protection Force, i.e. "Alba" operation is acting in the Albanian territory having a very successful cooperation with our central and local authorities. A meaningful fact is the welcome extended from the Albanian population to the MPF seeing in this force the concrete help of the international Community for the stabilization of the situation in Albania. The post cold war experience with its challenges must make us think to find the best ways in enhancing the quick decision making process within the structures of the Alliance and our newest gathering the Euro-Atlantic Partnership Council. The quickness in taking the decision to set up and deploy the FMP in Albania was a prompt response to the request from Albania and at the same time an example of the effectiveness of a good will cooperation of the participating countries which I would like to reassure of our gratitude. Mr. Chairman, Albania has actively participated in the discussions for structural and institutional changes of the cooperation in the framework of our partnership. The basic document for establishing the Euroatlantic Partnership Council which we adopted today is based on the on-going successful institutional cooperation. We are convinced that though the EAPC we commit ourselves to continue our joint efforts towards strengthening peace and security in the Euoatlantic region. We are part, will be part of it and you can count on our determination to continue in this way. Thank you !