At the EAPC Foreign Ministers Meeting Brussels, 17 Dec. 1997

Statement of H.E. Mr. Maqo Lakrori Member of the Government of Albania Secretary of State for Euro-Atlantic Integration Mr. Chairman, Colleagues, Ladies and Gentlemen, I have the honor, on behalf of the Albanian Government to address the Euro-Atlantic Partnership Council, this net of relationship, as Mr. Solana defined it yesterday evening. We consider this body as one of important structures to enhance cooperation for peace and stability and as one of our common structures serving our shared values and interests. For some countries, namely the developed ones, peace and stability mean preserving the achievements already made while for some others, like Albania, they present their need to reach acceptable levels of development. The evolution of relations between NATO and partners to come to the present day arrangements is first a need to fulfil political, economic and even spiritual interests of individuals being the same time a catalisor and a better mechanism to accelerate this process. Such a challenge remains open. Albania, as part of this framework, maybe more than others feels the need to genuinely adhere to and apply this principles. Tough difficult times for us are now behind and normalcy has been restored, the severe consequences are still present but the Government, in close cooperation with the international community, is working and in our gratitude the situation is improving. I take this opportunity in this meeting to express our gratitude to the Alliance, its Members States as well as a number of PfP countries that joined us in our efforts to put Albania on to normal way of development. This precious contribution has put a solid basis for our cooperation in our endeavour to become full pat of this ever more strengthening net. More than two months ago the Individual Partnership Program, begun implementation in my country. Its constitutes the framework under which the reconstruction and reorganization of our Armed Forces is taking place. This is fully compatible with our objectives of conducting a security policy and setting up corresponding defense structures of NATO standards to become within in a reasonable future an integrated part of the Alliance, this being one of the central pillars of our policy of Euro-Atlantic integration. We are happy that the entire process in every step is closely co-ordinated with NATO, including the NATO Clearing House where our specific needs are being discussed and, as we hope, possible met. This process enjoys outspread support from the public opinion and equally important from all political forces of the whole political spectrum. Mr. Chairman, In our philosophy towards full and overall integration into Euro-Atlantic structures special care is devoted to regional cooperation ad relations with neighbours. Acting in partnership implies that countries put first on the table what unites them, what is in the interest of all concerned. Policies of compromise should take more place and become a powerful uniting factor between countries, serving directly common security, economic development and harmonized development of different society values. Our idea of the Europeanisation of the Balkans aims at eliminating of all factors leading to divergence and conflicts and replace them with cooperation and understanding. (But for it to be effective and produce the desirable results it should be reciprocal and widely support by other actors within the international community.). It is this orientation that leads us in relations with our direct border neighbours, with Italy and Greece, with whom we have excellent relations, but also with the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia and Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (Serbia and Montenegro). It is in this spirit that we presented our views during the last months in different occasion in high level meetings. Recently 6 important agreements have been signed in Tirana to further develop relations with FYRoM. 11 other agreements will be signed early next year. On the other hand we regret to note, that this not the case with FRY. Let me refer to the well-known grave problem of Kosova. Not a single positive step has been taken in so fat from Belgrade to seriously address the ongoing deteriorating situation in Kosova. There is no more time to loose. More determination must be showed and practical steps must be intensified. Regional cooperation could substantively contribute to detention relations and minimise potential risks, especially in such areas as the Balkans where the tragic history of the Bosnian war is still present in our minds. We consider that the process of creation, strengthening and action of factors of peace (I mean democracy and developed economies, free movement of people, capitals, goods and services) will help lasting peace in Bosnia and Herzegovina, in the Balkans and to put the Kosova question in the road of very peaceful solution. Lessons must be drown in order to make prevention policies prevail and we hope to see the international community actively engaged to find a lasting solution to Kosova crisis. Finally Mr. Chairman, let me express my conviction that we all have a lot to do strengthen our cooperation and commonly contribute to a comprehensive collective security strategy and reality also in the area of Balkans. EAPC is a very effective net which helps that direction too. Thank you!