7 March EU-Albania

AMIDST growing calls for EU action, Dutch Foreign Minister Hans van Mierlo visited Albania to express the Union's “great concern” at the violent unrest in the country and its possible implications for the region. Although he recognised a need to restore law and order, Van Mierlo said that he expected “maximum restraint from all sides” and an end to violence. His visit followed a meeting of EU political directors which polished a statement prepared by foreign ministers in late February. Reacting to widespread concern at a government clamp-down, the Union “firmly called upon the Albanian authorities and all other parties to respect human rights, including minority rights, and fundamental freedoms consistent with Albania's international obligations”. It added: “The EU calls upon Albanian political forces to engage in dialogue, to work together in a responsible manner to solve the present crisis as soon as possible, and to establish a government which enjoys broad support.”THE debate over where to go next continues. The EU appears unwilling to give President Berisha's government macroeconomic aid, especially in the light of difficulties over Union technical support for economic reform. But its statement welcomed plans by theInternational Monetary Fund to broker an economic solution and confirmed its own readiness to continue technical assistance programmes. For the long term, “once political and economic conditions are right” the EUis “ready to consider the strengthening of relations with Albania within the context of its regional approach, and with a view to promoting stability in the region”, said the statement.