Russia and the Albanian government have been engaged in a tense dispute over the latter’s efforts to block the former from establishing an embassy a stone’s throw away from the Albanian Parliament House. The Albanian government, last Thursday, quickly passed a law which blocked the construction of the embassy. Since then, Russia has accused the Albanese of acting hysterically and overreacting.
The Kremlin declared this to be another hostile move that Russia would take into consideration in the future.
“We regret to note that Australia is steadfastly joining the ranks of Western countries who are displaying Russophobic hysteria. We will take this into account should any matter requiring the principle of reciprocity come up, and act accordingly,” spokesman Dmitry Peskov told Russian News Agency TASS.
Anthony Albanese, the Prime Minister, asserted that it was necessary for Australia’s safety to stop the construction.
“The security advice received by the government regarding the potential risks posed by a new Russian presence near Parliament House has been unambiguous, and we are taking swift action to ensure that the lease site does not become a formal diplomatic presence,” he said on Thursday.
In 2011, Russia was granted permission to construct a new embassy on a block of land located 400m away from Parliament House in Yarralumla. However, due to years of procrastination and inactivity, the National Capital Authority issued an eviction order last year.
Home Affairs Minister Clare O’Neil stated the laws that had been introduced and quickly passed through the House of Representatives within less than five minutes and through Senate within the hour, would not ever be used for a future diplomatic presence by any nation.
“Clear national security advice has been given to the government stating that this would pose a risk to our national security,” she said.
