Ministria për Evropën dhe Punët e Jashtme

Remarks of the Minister of Foreign Affairs Ditmir Bushati at the Counter-ISIL Coalition Meeting Brussels, 3 December 2014

 

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Secretary Kerry,

Excellencies,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Let me start by expressing my appreciation for the initiative to convene this meeting of the Counter-ISIL Coalition. Albania reaffirms its commitment to fight terrorism and all forms of violent extremism and radicalism, guided by respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, effective law enforcement and full international cooperation.

My country was one of the first to respond to the request of the Iraqi Government for support in countering ISIL. The Government of Albania donated a considerable package of military goods to the Iraqi Government in August 2014. In line with the long-term nature of our commitment to fight ISIL, we have prepared a second donation to support the military effort of Iraq against ISIL.

Besides providing military support to the Government of Iraq, Albania has also been at the forefront of efforts to stop the flow of foreign fighters. Albania cosponsored UN Security Council Resolution 2178 (on Foreign Terrorist Fighters). We have taken legal and institutional measures to discourage the phenomenon of foreign fighters, such as by criminalizing participation and incitement to participate in conflicts or wars in other countries, as well as the promotion, organizing and financing of foreign fighters. We are also working closely with all religious leaders in the country, in an effort to deter and de-radicalize.

Amidst this combination of preventive, monitoring and repressive measures, we have also been mindful of communicating at every opportunity on the risks posed by foreign fighters, especially those returning from conflict 2 areas. We have been careful to communicate with our citizens, particularly those susceptible to ISIL propaganda. We have also been in constant communication with other governments, recognizing that intelligence and information sharing are crucial in our fight against ISIL.

Today, we are all sitting around this table, because countering ISIL is our shared responsibility. Each coalition member brings something to this common effort. Speaking for my country – and I will venture to generalize for the Western Balkans – we see our role primarily as that of gatekeepers, making sure to address the challenge of returning foreign fighters within our – often, porous – borders, stopping them before they spill over the rest of Europe, making sure that those considering joining ISIL are stopped before they do so. It has always been clear that the effort to degrade and destroy ISIL does not take place in Syria and Iraq only. It is more than fighting ISIL on the ground, and making sure that once defeated, it does not make a comeback. A substantial part of our fight is within our borders, taking the form of deterrence, de-radicalization, monitoring, prosecuting, punishing.

The military, humanitarian and reconstruction efforts require common resolve and action; so does the fight against foreign terrorist fighters. We believe that it is crucial to enhance the capacities of countries at the frontline of countering FTF flows. Offering them targeted support to implement national or international policies that boost their capacities to fight transnational threats linked to terrorism, violent extremism and radicalism, should be part of the coalition’s collective efforts.

Thank you.