Albania, 2002

Allow me to extend my best

wishes to Mr. Kavan on the occasion of his election to

the office of President of the fifty-seventh session of

the General Assembly, as well as to congratulate his

predecessor, Mr. Han Seung-soo, for presiding with

competence over the proceedings of the last session. At

the same time, I take this opportunity to congratulate

the Swiss Confederation and East Timor on their new

membership in the United Nations. I would also like to

greet the return of the United States of America to the

United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural

Organization, which we consider an important event

that will contribute positively to the future activity of

that Organization.

During this year, Albania witnessed many

positive developments in the political, institutional and

socio-economic areas. The new climate of dialogue that

has recently prevailed in Albanian politics is

encouraging the reforms aimed at accelerating the

country's integration into Euro-Atlantic structures. The

political and social stability of the country is being

consolidated, thus creating the conditions for positive

developments in all fields. The continuous

improvements in democratic standards that characterize

Albanian society today are a result of the reforms

undertaken to strengthen the rule of law and the

building of new democratic institutions.

In the process of implementing the commitments

of the Millennium Summit Declaration, the Albanian

Government is taking the necessary measures to

integrate the Millennium Development Goals into its

national development goals. The national strategy for

economic and social development, drafted recently by

the Albanian Government, with the support of the

World Bank, has appropriately accommodated

development indicators from various fields to the

Millennium Development Goals. We have the political

will to continue on the long and difficult road of

implementing these objectives. We consider this to be

an indispensable process for the country's sustainable

development. Albania has already presented its report

on the implementation status of the Millennium

Development Goals.

For these stated purposes, the Albanian

Government is undertaking an extensive campaign

targeting the State administration, civil society and the

whole of Albanian public opinion, with the purpose of

making them aware of their role in implementing these

objectives. We highly appreciate the cooperation and

support of the Secretariat, the Department of Economic

and Social Affairs and the other specialized agencies of

the United Nations in implementing these objectives.

The Albanian Government has recently

undertaken comprehensive action against the

phenomena of illegal trafficking, smuggling, corruption

and abuse of power. Being at the crossroads between

East and West, Albanian territory has been an attractive

venue for local and international criminal activities and

has been exploited as a bridge for the trafficking of

human beings, drugs, arms and goods. The crises and

conflicts that our region has been forced to experience

have contributed to that desirability. To combat this,

the Albanian Government has made concrete

commitments to end human and all other forms of

trafficking coming from, and going through, its

territory by severely punishing perpetrators to the full

extent of the law, as well as by eliminating the causes

that create the conditions for such phenomena to take

place.

The political stability of the country has also

witnessed very positive developments. The recent

presidential election, which has been conducted for the

first time with the broad consensus of all parliamentary

parties, is further contributing to that stability. The

overall reforms we are undertaking have had as their

point of reference the standards of the most developed

Western countries. The ultimate aim is the integration

of Albania into the Euro-Atlantic structures. Joining

the European Union has been a permanent major

objective of my country. The expected commencement

this fall of negotiations on the Stabilization and

Association Agreement with the European Union will

be the best form of encouragement for the

comprehensive reforms being carried out in Albania.

The whole Albanian political spectrum, including the

Government and the opposition, is committed to the

achievement of this target.

Albania pays special attention to the Atlantic

dimension of that integration. Our aspiration for full

membership in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization

(NATO) is in line with NATO's strategic interest in

strengthening peace and stability in South-Eastern

Europe. We believe that the wider the geographic

spread of this organization, the more secure

international peace and stability will be. We hope that

the ongoing fruitful partnership between Albania and

NATO will be recognized and encouraged at the Prague

summit.

8

During the last few years, the region of South-

Eastern Europe has experienced a new era of positive

changes. The new liberal mentality is significantly

taking hold in the consciences of the citizens of our

societies. We are confident that this part of Europe will

soon become part of the European common future. But,

unfortunately, the traces of extreme nationalism and

xenophobia that continue to exist remind us that we

have a long way to go before we are able to escape the

past and establish genuine democracy in our region.

Albania is strongly convinced of the need to strengthen

regional cooperation on the basis of the principles of

friendly and good-neighbourly relations, respect for

sovereignty and territorial integrity and the protection

of human rights and liberties.

Albania has made a valuable and internationally

recognized contribution towards the strengthening of

peace and stability in the region. Strongly convinced

that Albania's internal stability is essential to the

stability of other neighbourly countries in the region,

and after having completed our tasks at home, we have

sought to promote throughout the region the

philosophy of co-existence and tolerance, instead of

that of hatred and inter-ethnic and religious differences.

With its vision towards the future, Albania has made

serious efforts towards the regional integration of the

countries of South-Eastern Europe on the basis of the

European Union model. We believe that this model of

reconciliation and cooperation, which was designed

and implemented after the Second World War, is the

model that the Balkans should embrace and implement

with courage while leaving their bloody inter-ethnic

conflicts behind.

In that context of cooperation and integration, the

free movement of people, goods and capital throughout

our region should become a tangible reality for our

countries and their citizens. We have to be aware that

what we have in common today, and what we will have

in common in the future, is more important than the

bitter heritage of past differences. This is the

philosophy of building on common values for a

common future.

As stated two days ago in Kosovo by the External

Relations Commissioner of the European Union, Chris

Patten, Kosovo has undergone important changes that

could not have been imagined three years ago. The

building of self-governing democratic institutions in

Kosovo was a tremendous achievement by the people

of Kosovo and the international organizations led by

the United Nations. The normal functioning of those

institutions, with the participation and representation of

all its citizens, will create the necessary conditions for

the further normalization of political, economic and

social life in Kosovo. It is our conviction that the local

election to be held this October will be conducted in

full compliance with international standards and will

contribute further to the consolidation of institutions

and the democratization and Europianization of

Kosovo.

The Albanian Government hails the cooperation

between the United Nations Interim Administration

Mission in Kosovo and Kosovo's elected institutions.

We are convinced that those relations will be further

strengthened in the future to the benefit of all the

citizens of Kosovo.

Albania supports Security Council resolution

1244 (1999), as well as the efforts and commitment of

the Special Representative of the Secretary-General in

Kosovo, Mr. Michael Steiner.

Albania views relations with Kosovo in the

broader perspective of regional stability, cooperation

and integration. Albania encourages and supports a

stable and sustainable Kosovo as a constructive and

complementary element of the region's stability and

integration. This means that Kosovo should be open in

its relations, not only with Albania but also with Serbia

and all other countries of the region. Albania sees the

future of Kosovo from the perspective of regional and

European integration processes. This future requires

democratic standards, such as the consolidation of

democratic institutions, the strengthening of the rule of

law, the return of Serbs and the normal functioning of a

multi-ethnic society there.

The future status of Kosovo must simultaneously

satisfy a number of elements and principles, such as the

right of all its citizens to express themselves on these

and other matters regardless of their ethnic

background; the will of the international community;

and the need to guarantee the stability of Kosovo and

the region itself. The status of Kosovo depends on its

stability.

In accordance with its long-term vision of

regional cooperation and European integration, Albania

has committed itself to promoting further its relations

with the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. The recent

upgrading of those diplomatic relations to the

ambassadorial level and Albania's initiation of a

9

number of bilateral agreements are concrete examples

of that commitment.

We welcome the recent democratic elections in

the Presheva valley, and we strongly believe that those

elections will contribute to the strengthening of

stability in that region. The integration of Albanians

into all levels of the central and local administrations

and the protection and respect of their rights will no

doubt bring positive developments to that area, to

Serbia and to the region at large.

The Albanian Government is interested in

developing cooperative and good-neighbourly relations

with the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia. We

welcome the democratic elections held recently in that

country. We look forward to the early creation of a

stable, long-term government, having as its major

objective the full implementation of the Ohrid

Agreement, the essential condition for the maintenance

of peace, stability and democracy and for the

continuation of the reforms in our neighbouring

republic.

The European integration processes have

increased the awareness of Albania and that of the

other South-eastern European countries of the role and

importance of regional organizations and initiatives.

They are efficient instruments that bring countries

together, not only in the form of political cooperation,

but also by intertwining their interests in many fields,

such as trade, transport, culture and education.

Fighting organized crime is another dimension of

such cooperation. In March, Albania successfully

concluded its chairmanship of the South-East European

Cooperation Process, while in April it assumed the

presidency of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation.

We are confident that, during the meeting of the

Foreign Ministers of member States of the Black Sea

Economic Cooperation process, to be held in Tirana in

October, the participating countries will reaffirm their

readiness to strengthen their political and economic

cooperation and to translate it into programmes and

projects.

One year after the terrorist attacks of 11

September 2001, our hearts still feel the pain of the

loss of innocent lives. The endangering of peace,

freedom and democratic values — a challenge that

faces all United Nations member countries — calls for

the creation of a unified front. Terrorism has become a

common enemy from which none of us is immune.

Nevertheless, our determination to fight that enemy is

resolute, and it gives us an opportunity to build a more

secure and more peaceful world.

Albania was among the first countries to align

themselves with the international coalition against

terrorism. This year, in compliance with Security

Council resolution 1373 (2001), Albania has taken

legislative, executive and administrative actions to

fight against that phenomenon. At present, Albania has

a complete legal framework that provides for the

control, investigation and punishment of potential

terrorist acts and of persons who are linked to or

support such acts. Albania has become a party to the 12

United Nations Conventions related to the fight against

terrorism. The Albanian Government has also taken

action to set up and strengthen specific State structures

to prevent and fight against terrorism. Those structures

are also responsible for and capable of offering full

cooperation on an international level.

Albania has praised and supported the activity of

the United Nations peacekeeping Mission in

Afghanistan and is currently contributing troops to that

Mission.

We have followed with deep concern the

developments in the Middle East and the threat that

Saddam Hussein's regime poses to security, peace and

global solidarity against State-backed terrorism. The

Albanian Government reaffirms its position, which

demands Iraq's full compliance with the relevant

Security Council resolutions. Any hesitation or

indecisiveness with regard to implementing United

Nations decisions and resolutions concerning Iraq

would be a challenge to the international community

and could have grave consequences for peace and

global security. We are convinced that, as President

Bush said a few days ago in this Hall, we cannot stand

by and do nothing while dangers gather. We must stand

up for our security and for the permanent rights and

hopes of mankind.

Together with the entire international community,

the Albanian Government is following with concern

the escalation of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Our

position is that a solution to that conflict can be found

that will bring about a sustainable and lasting peace.

Albania welcomes the steps taken by the international

community to bring peace and stability to the Middle

East and expresses its confidence that both parties to

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the conflict will join the international community in its

efforts to find a permanent solution.

Our region faces many challenges that its

countries must confront together. The United Nations

has an important role to play in uniting the efforts of

individual Members to create the necessary synergies

to deal with those challenges. Armed conflicts,

terrorism and international organized crime, poverty,

the violation of human rights, contagious diseases,

natural calamities and environmental pollution are

problems that require not only the commitment of all

our countries, but also coordinated and efficient joint

action by the United Nations based on the principles of

the Charter. The United Nations must strengthen its

role in preventing and resolving conflicts as well as in

ensuring peace and stability. In that respect, its

cooperation with regional security organizations should

continue, based on the best examples of the past. In

promoting peace and development, the United Nations

should use more efficiently the available financial

resources, aiming at their better management but also

at tailoring its projects and programmes to the specific

needs of beneficiary countries.

The Albanian Government welcomes and

supports the efforts of the Secretary-General to reform

the Organization and hence to enhance its efficiency.

I should like to take this opportunity to thank the

United Nations Department of Economic and Social

Affairs, the United Nations Development Programme

and the other specialized agencies of the Organization

for their efforts to assist the Albanian Government in

implementing its development programmes and

projects.

I would like to emphasize that this is a special

year for the United Nations. Many important events

have taken place in connection with such issues as the

rights of children, the ageing of populations, nutrition,

the fight against poverty and environmental protection.

Albania has contributed to those events. On this

occasion, on behalf of the Albanian Government, I

would like to pay tribute to the outcomes and

initiatives of the Summit on Sustainable Development,

held at Johannesburg a few days ago. We are convinced

that the commitments undertaken by our countries in

connection with those initiatives will soon be embodied

in joint efforts aimed at creating a better world for

everyone.