Regional co-operation key to ensure peace and stability, says OSCE Secretary General on visit to Albania
TIRANA, 27 May 2015 - The OSCE Secretary General, Lamberto Zannier, today concluded a two-day visit to Tirana, during which he participated as a special guest at the summit of Heads of State and Government of the South-East European Cooperation Process (SEECP) and met with Albania’s highest officials. Throughout his visit, he emphasized that regional co-operation is key to ensuring peace, security and stability.
“Recent events in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia have highlighted why we all need to keep working to strengthen stability and security in the region, as well as the importance of collective engagement in promoting dialogue, tolerance and non-discrimination throughout South-East Europe,” said Zannier.
Zannier noted that the OSCE has played a significant role in the post-conflict transition process in the region through its Institutions and field operations, and that, twenty years on, the Organization remains fully committed to supporting the efforts of the South-East European countries to strengthen democratic institutions and the rule of law and to promote respect for human rights.
He noted that the 2015 Serbian OSCE Chairmanship has set intensifying regional co-operation in the Western Balkans as a priority, creating a positive agenda aimed at advancing reconciliation processes.
While pointing out significant progress, Zannier said that there are new challenges facing the region that can only be tackled through a joint regional approach. “The phenomenon of foreign terrorist fighters is a particularly alarming security threat which affects many parts of the world, including the Western Balkan region.”
Regional co-operation and OSCE assistance to Albania were discussed in the Secretary General’s meetings with President of Albania Bujar Nishani, Assembly Speaker Ilir Meta, Foreign Minister Ditmir Bushati and Chair of the opposition Democratic Party Lulzim Basha.
The upcoming local government elections set for 21 June, which are being observed by an OSCE/ODIHR Election Observation Mission, were also discussed. Zannier underscored the importance of free and fair elections.
Secretary General Zannier and Minister of Defence Mimi Kodheli participated in an event marking the conclusion of the second phase of a project to remove and destroy highly hazardous chemicals stored near populated areas. In all, 116 tonnes of chemicals that are toxic to both people and the environment have been safely packaged and will be transported abroad for destruction. This project, which is run by the OSCE Presence in Albania with financial support from the Czech Republic, Turkey, Germany, Austria and Norway, has made a significant contribution to improving the security and safety of the people of Albania.