Following the expel of two Albanian diplomats by the Russian Foreign Ministry in response to all the countries that supported Great Britain after the poisoning of former Russian spy Sergei Skripal, the Albanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs reacted.
Through a statement stating that this decision was not surprising after the decision taken by the Albanian side a few days ago for the expulsion of the two Russian diplomats, while adding that diplomatic channels remain open in the function of constructive bilateral relations, peace and security.The names of diplomats who have been expelled from the embassy of Albania in Moscow are; Albert Jerasi, who holds the office of deputy ambassador and Arben Doçi, adviser. The diplomats who have been expelled must leave Moscow until April 5th.
Full Foreign Ministry Reaction:
On March 30, 2018, the Ambassador of the Republic of Albania to Moscow was summoned to the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. During the meeting, the Ambassador was notified about the "non-grata" of two Albanian diplomats accredited in the Russian Federation.
Moscow's reaction is no surprise to us. The decision taken by us a few days ago about the two Russian diplomats, co-ordinated with the views of our strategic allies, was proportional to the chemical attack in Salisbury. We point out that our diplomatic channels remain open in the function of constructive bilateral relations, peace and security.
The Russian Foreign Ministry calls on the Albanian ambassador. How many diplomats will Moscow expel?
About four days ago, Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Ditmir Bushati communicated to Russia's Ambassador to Tirana, Alexander Karpush, the expulsion of two diplomats, Vladislav Filipov, a military attaché, and Alexey Nikolaevich Balashov, the first embassy secretary.
Today the Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has called in office the Albanian ambassador to Russia Arben Gaci to communicate the expulsion of the two Albanian diplomats there.
The expulsion of two Albanian diplomats comes as a response that Russia is giving to all countries that supported Great Britain after the poisoning of former Russian spy Sergei Skripal.
Albania is in tune with a number of countries of the North Atlantic Alliance, starting from the United States who announced at least 150 diplomats "non grata"
US President Donald Trump ordered the expulsion of 60 Russian diplomats, while Germany, France, Ukraine, Canada and other European nations have also expelled Moscow's representatives.
Earlier on Monday, EU Council President Donald Tusk announced that 14 EU states had decided to expel Russian diplomats, respectively the following: France (4); Germany (4); Poland (4); Czech Republic (3); Lithuania (3); Denmark (2); Netherlands (2); Italy (2); Estonia (1); Croatia (1); Finland (1); Latvia (1); Romania (1). Outside the EU, Ukraine (13) and Canada (4).