Xhaçka with the diplomatic corps: The annulment of the agreements for the movement of Russian diplomats, officials and businessmen in Albania is under consideration

The Minister said that Albania has aligned with the EU and is implementing in its territory the restrictive measures adopted by the European Council against Russia for violating or threatening the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine.

According to the minister, it was decided to ban entry into Albanian territory for persons listed by the European Union.

“As you all know, there are two main categories of sanctions, economic and individual. We have approved sanctions related to the freezing of assets of 654 individuals and 52 entities. Individuals, starting with the President of Russia, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Russia, members of the National Security Council of the Russian Federation, who supported the immediate recognition by Russia as independent entities of the two Donetsk and Luhansk regions, members of the Russian state Duma, which ratified the government decision on the Treaty of Friendship, Cooperation and Mutual Assistance between the Russian Federation and these two entities. “Also, a ban has been imposed on entry into Albanian territory for persons listed by the EU, while in relation to our visa policy towards Russia, we are considering the annulment of all agreements for the movement of Russian diplomats and officials and businessmen”, said Xhaçka.

Our country has also joined the EU economic sanctions that include restrictive measures in finance, energy, transport and technology.

“We have also joined the EU economic sanctions, which include restrictive measures in finance, energy, transport and technology. Yesterday, we also lined up and started adopting legislation to implement the Council decision on further restrictive measures related to finance and aviation. Restrictions include:

• Prohibition of any transaction with the Central Bank of Russia; and
• denial of permission to land, take off from, or fly over EU territories for any aircraft operated by Russian air carriers, including as a marketing carrier, any aircraft registered in Russia and for aircraft not registered in Russia that are owned or authorized or controlled otherwise by a Russian legal or natural person.

Further, yesterday Albania joined the restrictive measures aimed at Belarus for its role in this war. “Finally, Albania will no longer participate in any sporting activity faced by the Russian Federation until the end of the occupation of Ukraine.”according to the minister.

The Minister stated that the events in Ukraine prove that the isolation of the Western Balkans is a high cost for the EU.

“The events in Ukraine are proof that our concerns were justified. This makes it very clear that the cost of insulation is much higher than the cost of integration. The signals we are receiving now show that the EU is focused now as it has not been for a while. If the EU is united and committed, if it shows the same determination as it is showing in support of Ukraine now, our region, the Western Balkans, will no longer be vulnerable to attempts to incite trouble and strife, and will gain security. of Europe as a whole“, Underlined Xhaçka.

US Ambassador Yuri Kim also addressed the meeting; the ambassador of Ukraine in Tirana, Volodymyr Shkurov and the ambassador of the EU, Luigi Soreca.

The Ambassador of Ukraine in Tirana, Shkurov praised the position of Albania, while emphasizing that despite the provocations, the basic systems of his country and the energy sector are functioning steadily.

The American Ambassador in Tirana, Yuri Kim said that “we are all surprised with ourselves, for speed, determination, perseverance, seriousness and sacrifice; this does not come without sacrifices – with the way we are responding, defending Ukraine, but also defending our way of life”.

Kim also said that they will defend Ukraine, expressing appreciation for Albania as a co-host in the Ukraine issue.

According to the ambassador of the EU delegation, Luiggi Soreca, the European Commission is considering the application of the temporary protection directive, which if approved tomorrow in the Council of Ministers of Justice and Interior of the EU member states will provide full protection for Ukrainian citizens up to three years in each EU country.

The meeting, where support was expressed for cooperation in coping with the difficult situation, was attended by ambassadors of NATO member states of the EU, the region and other countries which have expressed the alignment with sanctions against Russia after the aggression. in Ukraine.

Tensions on Ukrainian territory are rising as we enter the sixth day of the war. The Russian military has intensified bombings in Kharkiv and other cities, while a 60-kilometer Russian military convoy has now arrived at the gates of the Ukrainian capital.

At an unimaginable procedural pace under other conditions, the European Parliament is voting this afternoon to formally grant Ukraine EU candidate status and pave the way for bloc accession.

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