Premier Berisha: I have just concluded the meeting with Admiral Fitzgerald, Commander of Allied Joint Force Command. I took the opportunity to thank cordially the admiral about the assistance that NATO has provided Albania with, the agreement signed with the General Staff of our Army and the great cooperation that has developed.

Given that he is the most senior NATO official I meet in view of Kosovo Independence declaration, I expressed the deepest gratitude to the North Atlantic Alliance, the US administration and the governments of the member countries underlining that their action and stand makes the Balkans just and free as never before in its history.

Iacquainted Admiral Fitzgerald with Albania’s progress with governance, electoral, judicial and several other necessary reforms that warrant a membership invitation from NATO at its Bucharest summit. There exists a total spirit of consensus. I also spoke about our stand to take on organized crime with zero tolerance and mitigate corruption, the progress of market economy reforms implemented and reform of our Armed Forces.

Likewise, I informed Admiral Fitzgerald that Albania is willing to send additional contingent of troops to NATO-led peacekeeping operation in Afghanistan and to Darfur as well. I demanded NATO’s assistance to our Armed Forces especially to training of a Rapid Reaction battalion consistent with NATO standards as well as assistance to make our army more capable of rescue operations within the country.

I also ensured the admiral that Albania will do everything in its powers to make a contribution to peace and stability in the region.

 We consider NATO membership invitation as a major act in our history. The Albanians are in favor of membership in 94% of them as they regard the North Atlantic Alliance their most excellent security for the future.

Admiral Fitzgerald: I had excellent meetings today with PM Berisha, President Topi, deputy Minister of Defense Karabina and chief of the General Staff of the Army General Hoxha.

I am very impressed with the progress of Albanian Armed Forces. Their capability of being transformed and reformed is impressive. Their participation in many NATO-led trainings and operations is evidence of their contribution made to the NATO and the entire world. It has taken part in the NATO’s peacekeeping operations in Afghanistan, Iraq, Bosnia and Active Endeavour. The success of the Armed Forces has been the result of a long effort made by many people. It is hard to transform an army of 350 thousand servicemen into 15 thousand professional soldiers, but the leadership of this country has made this perfectly well.

Although the challenges after declaration of Kosovo Independence are numerous, it is important that Albania displays to the other countries a civilized way of independence celebration and how peace is preserved.

We are proud of the Albanian leadership’s role in this moment of importance in history and we wish all the best to you.

Question: The Russian representative to NATO has threatened today with use of force if NATO violates its mandate in Kosovo. What is your reaction?

 Admiral Fitzgerald: Firstly, KFOR mandate in Kosovo is to guarantee security and to create a safe environment in that country. It means that our armed forces move freely all over the country and treat the people equally and impartially. That’s KFOR mandate and I hope we observe this very well. KFOR has all the proper forces in Kosovo to protect every citizen.

Question: Does protests in Belgrade and those staged in Kosovo borders threaten regional security?

Admiral Fitzgerald: We consider protests in Belgrade a factor to destabilize the region. We appeal to the leaders of that country to take this fact into account and restrain the people. It is the right of the citizens in a democratic country to go into protests, but it is not their right to take up arms.

Premier Berisha: We condemn yesterday’s events in Belgrade. The attacks against the embassies of the free countries remind us of Milosevic’s past.

There were several aspects revealed during yesterday’s demonstrations in Belgrade. In general, the Serbian people didn’t answer the calls to join the protest although all Serbia’s transportation means were ready.

And we assess positively such a thing.

Secondly, it is extremely grave that the country’s prime minister inspires siren calls of nationalism at rallies. It was even uglier that gangs of thugs put the buildings on fire. This road leads to the past, not to the future. I consider this stand as running against the interest of the Serbian nation. 

I would like to express my deep appreciation of KFOR playing an excellent role in Kosovo. And I would like to assure for Albania’s deepest cooperation as it is a substantial factor to peace and stability in the Balkans.

Question: What changes in regard to NATO’s tasks in Kosovo as the country has declared independence? What are the concrete difficulties that NATO has to cope with in Kosovo-Serbia border area?

Admiral Fitzgerald: KFOR holds the same mandate even after declaration of Kosovo independence. It has been in the NATO’s mandate to defend Kosovo’s borders and keep a safe place. We are working with the United Nations and the elected government so that to keep a safe place there.

In regard to incidents in the border area, I say, it happened because several people produced weapons there while protesting on tax collection at the customs.

But, the UN supported by KFOR has restored the situation in the customs to normality and is guarding Kosovo-Serbia border area.