Renowned Colonel, Myslim Pashaj, who denounced the agreement on the division of the Albania-Greece sea border in 2009, which was later overturned by the Constitutional Court, has made a statement on the debate of recent days following the Greek ambition to expand its territorial waters with 12 miles to the Ionian Sea.

In an interview for the newspaper "Panorama.al", Pashaj showed why such a Greek desire could violate the territorial waters of Albania. He said that for the demarcation of the border as was done in 2009, but even now, in the delimitation of 12 miles should not be considered the uninhabited rocky micro-islands.

Taking as an example the Barketa rock, much discussed in 2009, Pashaj said that it can not be taken as a point to start measuring the 12 nautical miles required by Athens. Colonel Myslim Pashaj also made a criticism to the negotiating group that is working on the division of the Albanian-Greek sea border, as according to him there should be high-level experts with high national responsibility.

Furthermore, Pashaj pointed out the problems that Albanian institutions have on this topic, which according to him are unprepared, as they have not dealt with the maritime pact at all. Myslim Pashaj appealed to the Albanian government to make transparent the progress of the negotiations so far with Greece and to come up with an official stance if it is agreed to apply the principle of the midline in the division of the sea border.

Also, in his interview, Pashaj urged the political parties to cooperate when it comes to such issues of high national interest, in order not to repeat once again the story that happened with the 2009 agreement.

Interview:

-Colonel, what do you think of the published Greek map claiming the expansion from 6 nautical miles to 12 miles in the Corfu Channel?

Years go by. The Ionian Sea is sacred, but it still remains inseparable. In 2009, no one knew what to do with the maritime division between the two countries, but the time came for an agreement between Albania and Greece. Then sensitive matters began to be exposed when it was said that "we have divided the sea since the time of dictator Enver Hoxha… etc." Albania was so unprepared in this great national mission. Then they released a list of coordinates, which was the beginning of unprecedented media fuss. I am involved in this story, which is also a history of cartography.

We overthrew that invading act so that within a year, negotiations would take place and the sea would be divided by the "median line method equidistant from both shores", which quickly equalized the factors of the Ionian Sea of ​​Albania and I was found in the Constitutional Court opposing the Socialist Party, in an unusual attempt. The Albanian government at the time stumbled, but did not give up, and began unsuccessful attempts to support the pact. And that is embarrassing! It was unable and did not know where the human and institutional resources were, to have made this preparation to face our southern neighbor. Greece in its national goals has undertaken a major offensive.

Expansion to 12 nautical miles is not that scary, but it is the case when a neighbor must find the most rational ways, so that within the Greek claim to not allow evil intentions to jeopardize territorial integrity. The map published these days, where 12 nautical miles have been joined without agreement to the maritime delimitation line in the Corfu Channel, “according to the mid-line", has been turned down since 2010. Greece's intentions there have been expressed with the clarity and commanding manner. This is very serious.

-And what happened next?

You can see how the explosion has resumed even now, just like in the period 2009-2010. Albanian institutions are unprepared, because there are some institutions and universities that have not even dealt with the maritime pact.

-What about your stance?

I am an Albanian citizen in my cartographic front. I have fought in all ways to defend the great cause of defining and maintaining the state borders of southwestern Albania in 110 km in length. All this sea length is not just water, but just it is like the land of Albania.

In this period of turmoil I continue to be in that stance of mine same as 11 years ago. From a political point of view, this is an issue of the Socialist Party and the Democratic Party, while in terms of professionalism and expertise, I remain an independent part of this opposition, no matter how long it lasts.

-Who is the common denominator? This is a national problem. Why are you disappointed !?

I, as a military official and cartographer contributing in these areas, am disappointed. The essence of the work of Albanian institutions should be known, which are not in their mission. And we are unprepared, incompetent. Does the negotiating team have these average values? That's sad, of course!

-Do you have any details?

Not details, but there are some professional things that put us to shame. For example, a new diplomat says with a smile that "expansion by 12 nautical miles is nothing new for Albania." Then, I would call on the Albanians to look at the map that accompanies the Foreign Ministry statement, where the right of 12 nautical miles and the advancement from 6 nautical miles to 12 nautical miles is drawn. In 2009, the sea was divided by a pact that is already overturned. 11 years ago, Greece and Albania recognized in the Greek territorial sea 6 nautical miles, declared by Greece.

The division “according to the mid-line", blindly selected by the Albanians, allowed the "occupation" at the border of 22.22 km from the island of Othonoi, regardless of geographical circumstances. See on the map how the maritime law of the 12 nautical miles of Greece attacks, which successfully achieves its goals. This is among the simplest. But there is more. I have asked the Albanian public whether “does they know anything, to which country does the already known Barketa Rock belong? Greece or Albania? No one answers.

So, this rock is a history of irresponsibility and Albanian state responsibility, as rock is located on the Albanian side of the territorial sea in 1913. This rock has been taken as the center to divide the Ionian Sea of ​​Albania. And this is our Albanian misery. And the diplomat says "nothing new for Albania!"

-Can we talk again on the issue that has become a daily alarm for Albanians. Does it look like a sea creature is swallowing us up?

I would say this is a big misunderstanding. International law is cited, according to UNCLOS-82. Both neighbors have the right to expand (to get this right) and it remains as if it were the continental land of both states. What requires recognition, professional and legal training is the negotiation of those cases when geographical conditions do not allow enlargement. That’s where the issue is disputable. And for this, the Albanians have the right to be badly disturbed because they were ‘burned’ during the "surrender-occupation" that took place in 2009.

No one in the state hierarchy said a word to clarify the negotiation, but the new diplomat said that there is no negotiation behind this. How is it possible?! This is how the opponent will "pave the way" to "swallow" the maritime space, because it does not want to accept the other dividing factor of the Law of the Sea "Equitable Solution" (fair and honest division). I was glad that Mr. Cakaj in one of his press statements mentioned the fact ”where geography allows" (thank you!). So there will be evaluation and analysis, as well as negotiation. Cakaj also mentioned the Constitutional Court.

-But will the negotiations that are taking place now be successful?

I know nothing about negotiations as they are confidential. There is a draft agreement but is not known what it contains. There is no talk of principles either, at least. For example, Mr. Cakaj should have told us whether the "Mid Line" or "Equitable Solution" was accepted in the talks, what about the effect of islands? Nothing is said.

-You said they should resign, right?

This is a civic and intellectual opinion of mine and does not jeopardize the fate of their careers. When expertise, profession, science and intellectual preparation do not speak the wrong way is paved. The Socialist and Democratic parties must unite in this agreement by putting the national interest at the forefront.