WRITTEN QUESTION E-3125/98

by Astrid Thors (ELDR) to the Council

(19 October 1998)

Subject: EU's conduct during the latest crisis in Albania

The latest crisis in Albania began when a member of the parliamentary opposition was murdered on 12 September. This event sparked off serious disturbances in Tirana, during which the Albanian government building came under heavy fire and the Ministry of Justice was looted.

The first international organizations to issue public statements on the crisis were the Council of Europe and the OSCE. The EU took part only in a brief joint statement of 14 September. Subsequently, the EU was offered an opportunity to take part in a joint delegation to Tirana on 19 September together with the OSCE and the Council of Europe. The EU participated at a low level only, without any visible results whatever before the joint declaration of 23 September drawn up by the Council of Europe and the OSCE. At the same time, the EU is represented on a substantial scale in Tirana in terms of human resources and property. Despite this, the EU's efforts to resolve the crisis were modest.

What does the Council intend to do to play a more active part in the ongoing crisis in Albania and not let slip another opportunity to act as a purposeful player in international politics in line with its ambitions under the CFSP?

Reply

(18/19 January 1999)

The Council regrets that the Honourable Member assesses the EU's efforts to resolve the crisis following the assassination of a member of the parliamentary opposition on 12 September 1998 as having been "modest" and would like to inform the Honourable Member on the full extent of the EU's recent activities with regard to the situation in Albania.

On 13 September, the Presidency, in light of the urgency of the situation, issued a statement on Albania in Tirana, i.a. condemning the murders of Mr Hajdari and his bodyguard, calling on the Albanian authorities to urgently investigate the murders, calling on all Albanian parties - especially the Democratic Party - to show restraint in their declarations and actions and reiterating the EU's readiness to continue helping Albania.

Furthermore, the acting President of the Council of Ministers phoned Sali Berisha on 13 September to inform him of the contents of the above-mentionned declaration and to urge him to exercise maximum restraint.

On 15 September, the President of the Council issued a press statement supporting the endeavours of President Rexhep Meidani who tried to call on all parties to practice restraint.

Furthermore, on 15 September the Presidency sent Ambassador Grubmayr, who had been Resident Representative to the Personal Representative of the OSCE's Chairman in office for Albania in 1997, as the Presidency's Special Emissary to Albania. His mandate was to promote a cessation of violence and to encourage all political forces in Albania to take up constructive discussions with a view to leading Albania out of the crisis.

The European Community Monitoring Mission (ECMM) presence in Albania has, on a daily basis, kept the Council informed on the latest developments on the ground with a view to informed decision-making by the Council and its working bodies.

Furthermore, the EU was instrumental in setting-up the "Friends of Albania" Group in Brussels on 30 September, to be co-chaired by the European Union and the OSCE Presidencies.

As regards the International Conference on Albania which took place in Tirana on 30 October, the Council adopted an EU position which has been substantially reflected in the operational conclusions of the conference.

At the Conference, the Council reaffirmed its commitment to assist Albania to make progress in the process of stabilisation, recovery and democratisation, recalling however that the main responsibility in this regard lay with Albanians themselves. The relations between the EU and Albania will be taken forward on the basis of the Trade and Cooperation Agreement of 1992 and the declaration on the establishment of a political dialogue, and the possibilities of this framework will be fully exploited. Assistance will continue to be provided namely through the PHARE programme focusing on priorities established together with the Albanian government after the 1997 crisis which remain fully valid (public administration reform, including customs, the judiciary and the police; large infrastructure/roads; agriculture; local community development).

Moreover, the EU will continue to provide humanitarian assistance for the Kosovo refugees in Albania. For full implementation of ongoing assistance programmes, rapid progress is required in terms of security and public order. The EU will continue to support the Albanian police in cooperation with WEU/MAPE (Multinational Advisory Police Element), as well as the Albanian customs services via the EC Customs Assistance Mission. A strengthening of these activities is currently under consideration.