TIRANA, August 17: In an apparent effort to shed the perception of Albania as part of the Muslim world, socialist Prime Minister Fatos Nano said Sunday the country was no longer member of Organisation of Islamic Conference (OIC).Albania, which has a mainly Muslim population, became the only European member of the OIC in 1993 under former president Sali Berisha. ``The acts of Sali Berisha to legalise such a membership are illegal,'' Nano said in an interview with the ruling socialist newspaper Zeri I Popullit yesterday. ``Albania has no other future but to be integrated in Europe.''
Nano added, however, that Albania would continue to cooperate with the Arab countries.
The government has repeatedly condemned Berisha's personal decision to take Albania into OIC membership.
Copyright © 1998 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.
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