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President Bajram Begaj, speaking about the conflict in Gaza, said that Albania supports any diplomatic and conciliatory solution to the conflict in the Middle East.
President Begaj emphasized that Albania's position in this case has been clear and that Albania has condemned the terror practiced by Hamas against Israel, supporting Israel's right to self-defense.
"We have also expressed concern about the destruction, the victims and the humanitarian situation in Gaza ," Begaj said on ABC News' "Real Story" show.
Excerpt from the interview:
-Mr. President, let's talk a little about another situation that is certainly dominant, the conflict in Gaza and the way some EU countries, including Great Britain, have responded by recognizing the state of Palestine. You said that Albania is for the protection of the United Nations Charter, do you think this will be denied to Palestine?
President Bajram Begaj : Albania supports any political, diplomatic and conciliatory solution to the conflict in the Middle East. Of course, any solution will be acceptable if international law and reciprocity are respected.
-We have a problem with Palestine that was solved in the past after the communist regime recognized the state of Palestine, so let's say the two-state thesis is a thesis that we have supported and de facto and de jure implemented, but since then all governments have been hiding behind the fact that we have recognized Palestine, we recognize the two-state thesis, we find a peaceful solution. But when it comes to taking a stand, we don't take it.
President Bajram Begaj : Albania's positions have been clear. We have strongly condemned any kind of terrorism. We have condemned the terror exercised by Hamas against Israel, we have supported Israel's right to self-defense. On the other hand, we have also expressed concern about the destruction, the victims and the humanitarian situation in Gaza.
-As you said, the situation is dualistic. We agree that the September attacks were terrorist attacks, they attacked civilians at a concert in disbelief, they even kidnapped babies. They killed babies and we all agree now that Hamas is a terrorist movement and should not be part of the solution to the problem. But 70,000 killed in Gaza, many of them civilians, women and children, what name can we give to this?
President Bajram Begaj : War and conflicts bring fatal consequences but mostly affect ordinary people, we would like the war in Gaza to end, a sustainable ceasefire with the return of all hostages and discussions for a diplomatic solution to the situation would be the right stance. Albania has condemned and declared Hamas a terrorist organization, as well as the so-called military wing of Hezbollah, and we are in favor of a diplomatic solution, a long-term sustainable solution for the benefit of both peoples.
-6-7 Western countries recognized Palestine this year and countries that we would never have thought of, like France or Great Britain, but the US called this a damage to the solution while Israel called it sponsorship of Hamas. Your comment
President Bajram Begaj : Albania is in favor of any diplomatic, political and conciliatory solution in the Middle East and of course I cannot comment on the statements from the US and Israel, but what I can say is that a peaceful solution in the region would be the best solution.
-Meanwhile, here, the sounds of a large Pro-Palestine demonstration were heard, just 24 hours ago another protest was held in Tirana. What I see and feel is that there is a growing sensitivity, from Albanian Muslim believers, but not only towards this issue. Do you think that at a certain moment this could put the authorities to some extent in the face of this opinion?
President Bajram Begaj: Tolerance and religious harmony is a characteristic that identifies us, it is a value that represents us and that must be promoted. I do not want to put this situation in a religious context. But what I think is that the authorities in their positions have been aligned in foreign policy with the national interest of Albania.
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