Albanian Premier Comments On Kosova's Status

Albanian Prime Minister Sali Berisha (file photo) (epa) PRAGUE, March 27, 2006 (RFE/RL) -- Albanian Prime Minister Sali Berisha has reaffirmed his country's position on Kosova, saying Albania is opposed to Kosova joining any neighboring country.

Berisha made the comment today in an interview with the Kosova subunit of RFE/RL's South Slavic and Albanian Languages Service at RFE/RL headquarters in Prague.

"Albania, as has been its long-standing policy, supports the position of the international community, including the United Nations, against any change of borders or a return to the situation before 1999, and it's against the idea of Kosova joining any neighboring country," Berisha said.

Berisha said Albania supported the return of minority Serbs and appealed to Kosovar Albanians to respect all minorities.

Representatives from Serbia and Kosova's ethnic Albanians are engaged in talks to resolve Kosova's status. Kosova is formally part of Serbia, but has been ruled by the United Nations since NATO air strikes in 1999 ended an anti-ethnic-Albanian crackdown there by the Serbian government. Ethnic Albanians are calling for full independence.

"Albania supports the return of Serbian minorities and other displaced persons to Kosova and it has given full support to the dialogue between Prishtina and Belgrade," Berish said. "Albania is convinced that the only solution that brings peace and stability to Kosova is one that respects the will of the people of Kosova for self-determination, the independence of Kosova."