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U.S. Department of State Office of the Spokesman Press Statement

Press Statement by James P. Rubin, Spokesman
February 1, 1999

Meeting of Secretary Albright With
Albanian Prime Minister Pandeli Majko

Secretary Albright and Albanian Prime Minister Pandeli Majko met in Washington on February 1 for productive discussions on Albania's democratic and free market economic reforms, on developments in Kosovo, and on U.S.-Albanian relations. The Secretary commended the accomplishments of Prime Minister Majko's first four months in office, citing the successful adoption of a new constitution, improved dialogue with the opposition, and rapid progress toward membership in the World Trade Organization. They also discussed developments in Kosovo, deploring the latest atrocities and examining the next steps required in the international bid for peace.

The Secretary encouraged Prime Minister Majko to continue his successful efforts to reinvigorate Albania's domestic political dialogue, and both expressed the hope that the opposition Democratic Party would soon end its boycott of Parliament. The Secretary underscored the importance of continued progress in the Albanian Government's fight against corruption and for the re-establishment of public order. This includes institutionalizing the rule of law in general, vital components of which are stronger safeguards for human rights and due process, as well as reforms to further professionalize Albania's judiciary and police. The Secretary, while recognizing that so much of the burden for devising and executing the process of political and economic reforms falls to Albanians and their institutions, also reaffirmed the United States' continued determination to help Albania take these necessary steps. The Secretary underscored her support for the Friends of Albania group of countries and multilateral organizations dedicated to assisting Albania on the path to political stabilization and economic development.

Prime Minister Majko provided Albania's perspectives on the Kosovo situation and the Secretary briefed the Prime Minister on the efforts of the United States to find a settlement to the Kosovo problem and an end to the bloodshed there. In addition, the Secretary sought Prime Minister Majko's assistance in securing the participation of the Kosovar Albanian leadership, including the KLA, in the settlement negotiations to get underway in France by this weekend. The Secretary expressed her hope that a successful conclusion to the upcoming peace settlement would continue to assure Albania's territorial integrity.

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