Prime Minister Berisha appreciates the unified position of NATO member countries in favour of the Ahtisaari Plan

Prime Minister Berisha participated on Thursday in the meeting of the Atlantic Policy Advisory Group (APAG), which took place in Albania on the 10th and 11th of May 2007. Participants in the meeting included representatives of all the EAPC (Euro – Atlantic Partnership Council) member countries, presided by Mr. Martin Erdman, Assistant to the NATO Secretary General.

Among the important issues discussed during this meeting were NATO’s role in the solution of important issues for the region, the integration of the Western Balkan countries in the Euro – Atlantic community, as well as the future of the Euro – Atlantic integration and NATO’s role in this important process. In his speech, Prime Minister Berisha paid special attention to the Kosovo issue and said that Kosovo is facing a historical decision. “A further delay in the decision of the Kosovo status would endanger the stability of this country.

It would increase insecurity, seriously deflect economic development and create great social problems. I believe that a unified position of the NATO member countries is of utmost importance for the resolution of this problem.

That is why I would like to invite once again the Belgrade authorities to have a more realistic position towards the Kosovo issue”, - said the Prime MinisterPrime Ministers Berisha thanked all those present in the meeting in Albania, expressing his gratitude to NATO and its member countries for the precious support they have given to Albania in its aspirations for NATO membership, especially in the framework of the Adriatic 3 Charter.

The Prime Minister encouraged the cooperation of all region countries in this aspect. “The Balkan Countries can build their best future by cooperating with each other and not by the domination of one nation over the others. It is already been proven that domination policies do not produce stability”, – he said The Prime Minister also talked about reforms undertaken in the country, stressing that the government is totally committed to the war against organised crime, corruption, informality, etc.

He mentioned some clear economic achievements, such as the economic growth, which will reach 6 per cent this year, the great increase in exports, the increase of interest of foreign companies to invest in Albania, etc.