Tirana: Serb "ultra-nationalists" to blame

Albanian President Bamir Topi said in Pristina today that Serb “ultra-nationalists” were to blame for the recent incidents and clashes in Kosovo. “It is clear where the incidents are coming from. The investigation should continue and it is very important in these situations to analyze where all of this is coming from,” Topi told journalists, commending the posture and reactions of the Kosovo institutions and Albanians in Kosovo. Tirana: Serb "ultra-nationalists" to blame “Albania will be among those who will show that this conduct and these negative acts come from ultra-nationalist Serb circles,” he said. The Albanian president said that the rights of all minorities must be respected, including those of the minorities in the Presevo Valley in Serbia. “Serbia needs to respect security standards and the rights of minorities, including those in the Presevo Valley,” he said, adding that Albania, Kosovo and other countries needed to do likewise. Topi said that the countries of the Western Balkans needed to do all they could to prevent further ethnic wars, and to promote European integration and a united European future. After meeting with Kosovo President Fatmir Sejdiu, Topi said that the two heads of state had agreed to continue strengthening cooperation between Kosovo and Albania. “At a time when Kosovo is continuing to consolidate the democratic institutions of a young country, its leaders are showing that Kosovo has all the necessary state-building capacities and that the new country will be a worthy partner in EU and NATO integration,” the Albanian president underlined. He said that there would be “new recognitions of Kosovo” in 2009, and that “Kosovo independence is irreversible.” Topi and Sejdiu said that an agreement on free passage would be signed between Albania and Kosovo soon. “This agreement could be a ‘mini Schengen’ for South-West Europe,” Sejdiu said, adding that he would try to get other regional countries to join the agreement. In the afternoon, Topi will meet with KFOR Commander Emilio Gay, opposition leaders and national minority representatives, while he will hold a separate meeting with representatives of the Serb community. Tomorrow the president will visit the Pristina municipal assembly and speak with Municipal President Isa Mustafa, before visiting the Kosovo Museum and the Kosovo Academy of Science and Art. Topi will then travel to the Urosevac municipal assembly where he will be made an honorary citizen of the town at a ceremonial session. This is Topi’s second visit to Kosovo in the capacity of Albanian president. The first was on January 25 and 26, 2008. Bamir Topi, left (FoNet, archive)

Tirana: Serb "ultra-nationalists" to blame

“Albania will be among those who will show that this conduct and these negative acts come from ultra-nationalist Serb circles,” he said.

The Albanian president said that the rights of all minorities must be respected, including those of the minorities in the Preševo Valley in Serbia.

“Serbia needs to respect security standards and the rights of minorities, including those in the Preševo Valley,” he said, adding that Albania, Kosovo and other countries needed to do likewise.

Topi said that the countries of the Western Balkans needed to do all they could to prevent further ethnic wars, and to promote European integration and a united European future.

After meeting with Kosovo President Fatmir Sejdiu, Topi said that the two heads of state had agreed to continue strengthening cooperation between Kosovo and Albania.

“At a time when Kosovo is continuing to consolidate the democratic institutions of a young country, its leaders are showing that Kosovo has all the necessary state-building capacities and that the new country will be a worthy partner in EU and NATO integration,” the Albanian president underlined.

He said that there would be “new recognitions of Kosovo” in 2009, and that “Kosovo independence is irreversible.”

Topi and Sejdiu said that an agreement on free passage would be signed between Albania and Kosovo soon.

“This agreement could be a ‘mini Schengen’ for South-West Europe,” Sejdiu said, adding that he would try to get other regional countries to join the agreement.

In the afternoon, Topi will meet with KFOR Commander Emilio Gay, opposition leaders and national minority representatives, while he will hold a separate meeting with representatives of the Serb community.

Tomorrow the president will visit the Priština municipal assembly and speak with Municipal President Isa Mustafa, before visiting the Kosovo Museum and the Kosovo Academy of Science and Art.

Topi will then travel to the Uroševac municipal assembly where he will be made an honorary citizen of the town at a ceremonial session.

This is Topi’s second visit to Kosovo in the capacity of Albanian president. The first was on January 25 and 26, 2008.