Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 20 Mar 1997

Vol. 476 No. 6

Written Answers. - Crisis in Albania.

Ivor Callely

Question:

46 Mr. Callely asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will give details of the current situation in Albania; his understanding of recent difficulties; the measures, if any, which have been taken to prevent human suffering; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7830/97]

Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Spring)

The current situation in Albania continues to be a cause of grave concern, both to the European Union and to the wider international community. Due largely to pressure from both the European Union and the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) a Government of National Reconciliation, supported by all political parties in Albania, was established as a first step to bring about a political solution to the crisis in Albania. Whilst the new Government enjoys cross-party support, and also appears to have the endorsement of a wide section of the population in the south of the country, it has not yet been able to restore civilian structures and administration as well as law and order throughout the country.

The main priority for the Albanian Government is a return to political stability and in particular the surrender of arms seized by the population to the authorities. To date a large number of people, including children, have been injured or killed through the accidental discharge of weapons seized during disturbances. In addition the existence of a large amount of weapons in the hands of rebel factions, criminal gangs and the wider population has produced the fear and insecurity which has led to large numbers of Albanians fleeing the country in conditions of distress. Until all arms are surrendered and normal conditions of Government and local administration are restored, the Albanian people will continue to be faced with an increasing level of deprivation, suffering and insecurity.

The European Union is strongly committed to assisting Albania to restore law and order and achieve a return to normality. It will co-ordinate its efforts in this regard with both the OSCE and the Council of Europe.

The Union has sent, as a matter of urgency, a high level mission to Albanian to assess, in consultation with the Albanian Government, how it can best contribute to assisting the Albanian Government to resolve the current political and economic crisis. The European Commission is ready to provide emergency humanitarian assistance as soon as conditions are sufficiently secure to assure its delivery to the people in need in Albania.

The present crisis in Albania stems largely from an insufficient level of political and economic reform being introduced in recent years. It was brought to a head by widespread public outrage at the collapse of pyramid investment schemes which resulted in a total loss of savings for the majority of ordinary Albanians. The public disturbances consequent on the collapse of these schemes, many of which were promoted by the Government as safe investment, developed into widespread rejection of Government authority which has precipitated the current political crisis and the breakdown in law and order.

It is clear that the Albanian Government and people need to accept the responsibility for rebuilding their country and society. The European Union stands ready to help them with this task. Albania is the poorest country in Europe and has only recently emerged from a prolonged period of communist rule. It is recognised that the process of political and democratic reform, as well as economic revival, will require to be sustained over a period of years.

Both the European Union and other international organisations and institutions have an important role to play in giving political and economic support to Albania and its people in this process. The European Union has been providing economic assistance to Albania under the Community PHARE programme. This assistance has amounted to about 450 million ECU since 1992, when the PHARE programme was extended to Albania, and is currently concentrated on developing infrastructue and human resources, sectoral restructuring and macro-economic stabilisation. Humanitarian and food aid and balance of payment support have also been provided.

In the light of the current ongoing crisis, the European Union will seek, in co-operation with other organisations, to assist efforts to stabilise the situation in Albania and to assess what further measures, by way of political and economic assistance, can be provided to Albania.