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| Olta Xhaçka while speaking over sanctions to Russia because of the Ukraine invasion |
The Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, Olta Xhaçka presented the sanctions that Albania will impose on Russia.
In a statement to the media, Xhaçka said, "I do not remember another event so much united in indignation, solidarity but also determination, the citizens of a democratic Europe, rather than the unprovoked and illegal Russian aggression against Ukraine."
"I believe that I express what all Albanians feel today when I say that the heroic resistance of the Ukrainian people against this aggression has won the respect and admiration of all of us," she said.
"The war in Ukraine is much more than a war for the freedom of Ukraine. "It is a struggle for the future of a democratic Europe, for the architecture of security and co-operation on our continent, and for the future of the international system."
"Let's say it bluntly and openly because this is the position of Albania and the Albanians: Russian aggression against Ukraine is unprovoked. "This is not a defensive war and it is not a war waged in the name of the legitimate security interests of Russia or the Russian people."
Xhaçka noted that “this is a pure aggression, an illegal and criminal war against a country and innocent people who have never threatened Russia, whose only sin is the desire to build a modern state in Europe according to a model that does not match the dictatorial regime in Moscow."
"The responsibility for this war lies on Vladimir Putin and the Russian leadership and no one else. I believe that during these days you have seen and followed in the media the reactions of allied countries with us for measures and sanctions against Russia and support for Ukraine. In this dramatic and epochal confrontation of our time, we are proud that Albania is playing a very important role, but also giving the first-hand contribution, especially in the field of diplomacy. "From the OSCE and NATO, where our proposals have been concrete and courageous, to the UN Security Council, where in cooperation with the United States Mission, our country is playing a primary role in dealing with the Ukraine file." said the minister.
According to her, a few days ago, together with the US, our country proposed a resolution in the Security Council calling on Russia to stop the attack on Ukraine and withdraw all its troops from this country, forcing Russia to use its veto and showing quite clearly in the eyes of the whole world how isolated Russia is in this criminal venture against a sovereign state.
Today, Xhaçka continued, the Security Council will vote to discuss this resolution in the General Assembly, which will once again demonstrate the extreme isolation of Russia in the international arena.
"Albania has also, without any hesitation, joined the austerity measures taken by the EU against Russia. "Currently, the Albanian government is drafting the legal basis for the implementation of austerity measures against Russia and its entities, approved by the Council of the European Union from February 23 to February 25, 2022. These measures have an individual and economic character", declared the minister.
Xhaçka said, "We have joined the individual sanctions on the freezing of assets of individuals ranging from the Russian President, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Russia, the members of the National Security Council of the Russian Federation, who supported the immediate recognition by "Russia, the two non-governmental controlled areas of Donetsk and Luhansk, as independent entities and members of the Russian State Duma, which ratified the government decision of the Treaty of Friendship, Cooperation and Mutual Assistance between the Russian Federation and these two entities."
In total, she said, these restrictive measures will apply to 654 individuals and 52 entities. In addition, a travel ban has been imposed on Albanian territory for persons listed by the EU, while regarding visa policy, the cancellation of facilitation policies for the movement of diplomats, other Russian officials, and business people is under consideration. Economic sanctions include restrictive measures in finance, energy, transport, and technology.
Provision of relevant technical and financial assistance will also be prohibited. Further restrictions on exports of dual-use goods and technology will be imposed on the technology sector, as well as restrictions on exports of certain goods and technology, which may contribute to Russia's technological improvement in its defense sector, and security. This will include products such as semiconductors or the latest technologies.
"In addition to these measures, considering the unprecedented situation created, following the measures taken at European level, the airspace of the Republic of Albania will be closed from tonight for all Russian air operators or any aircraft registered in Russia. , except when such flights are performed for emergency reasons, humanitarian or medical purposes, or interstate needs. Also, Albania will no longer participate in any sports competition with the Russian Federation until the end of the occupation of Ukraine", said the minister.
Finally, she said, we are working to provide within our capabilities assistance in military and hospital supplies, etc., for Ukraine.
"In the coming days, we will have more information to share with you regarding the implementation of these measures. While I want to emphasize that Albania will continue to join every initiative and measure of our allies and partners. This is an obligation that every democratic country has today not only to Ukraine but also to the societies of our peoples and the future of our children," said Minister Xhaçka.