“Maybe I am an optimist or idealist. I personally wouldn’t want to live in a Europe in which I wouldn’t feel safe. I wish that we all had a chance for a safe life, more trust, more solidarity, more justice and dignity for everyone in the region. This is why I am a strong supporter of further enlargement of Western Balkans...”, she told Albanian Free Press.
It’s been several weeks now that the Albanian opposition has started a protest in the main boulevard of the capital, in front of the Prime Minister’s office and it seems that it’s not willing to move from there until a caretaker government is formed, which will hold free elections. What is your comment about these current political developments in Albania?
First of all, of course I’m concerned about the recent political developments in Albania. There has been a lot of efforts put by the international community, including the European Union and my colleagues of the Parliament European, to really bring the opposition back in the Parliament’s dialogue, which I think is crucial for a normal democracy.
There is one development that is positive and this is the agreement to elect Meta as President, but of course this doesn’t bring the opposition back to Parliament, or make it part of the elections. It’s good for all the political parties, including the opposition, to participate in a fair and democratic election.
I do understand that there is a still a window of opportunity for some candidates to register for the elections and I hope this will be the case and I hope for this to be a very democratic and transparent process of elections.
So, still, what is on the table from the European side is the agreement. I think that it is a very comprehensive and a balanced agreement. I do hope that it will be the way for the opposition to go back as soon as possible in parliament, and the dialogue is the key, I would say, instrument, for a highly democratic society.
A caretaker government is an option for Albania. Will it be the end of the world if this government is formed?
I’m not an Albanian politician. It’s always important that the decision is accepted on the ground, between responsible Albanian politicians. The technocrat government can be the way forward, if the sides agree to such thing. But in any case, it’s very important to ensure the conditions for proper, fair and democratic elections.
Can there be elections without the opposition? Will it be a regular process without it?
As I said before, it is very good if we have an open process and the opposition part of elections. I wish to see that. But I understand that elections can be held without the opposition, and be recognized as valid, so, whether this is good for a stable political situation in a long run is another question. So, I can just once again stress that I feel it will be very important that there would be a way for a dialogue in the Parliament and also for the opposition to be part of the elections.
The two MEPs from Brussels, Fleckeinstein and McAllister could not solve the Albanian political crisis. What does this mean for you? Who is really to blame for this?
Yes, I was following the efforts of Fleckeinstein and McAllister in Tirana. I know that they put a lot of efforts and focused a lot to help the politicians find consensus. There was a disappointment that they were not successful, but I think that it’s not the end of the efforts of the European Union. There are still going to be efforts by the international community. I am here today with my colleague Ulrike Lunaçek, to provide support, to try to help, because Albania is still a very important country aspiring to become part of the European Union and a factor of regional stability, especially seeing what is happening in the neighboring countries. So I do hope sincerely, especially after the last attacks that democracy runs smooth in Albania.
As an MEP, at what stage is the current process of Albania's integration to the EU? Is it affected by the recent political crisis?
It is very crucial for Albania to finalize the justice reform. Everything is focused. If the justice reform moves forward and if it is implemented and if the European Commission offers a positive opinion, then I hope that Albania opens the negotiations early next year. I will do have to do everything to ensure that the process of reforms continues, because they simply improve the life of citizens in Albania.
As rapporteur for Kosovo in the EU, can you tell us what is the real progress in terms of Kosovo’s visa liberalization regime with the EU, at a time when several political parties are against the border deal with Montenegrop? When will the people of Kosovo really travel without visas?
For Kosovo and the visa’s liberation and demarcation with Montenegro, I’m doing everything to ensure that Kosovo’s people to benefit the visa free regime as soon as possible. This is the last country in the region that is a “black point” on the map of Western Balkan and the visa free regime is especially important for the young generation.
I’m very concerned about the developments as regards the discussion between Kosovo’s government and the opposition, between all the important and relevant stakeholders as regard the demarcation’s border with Montenegro. That has been one of the criteria set up by the commission and agreed by the Kosovo’s government. So, we still do hope that this agreement will be ratified and if there is no way to do it, then we need to see an alternative. But an alternative that is jointly agreed by the politicians of Kosovo.
And as long as politicians of Kosovo are divided and keeping this visa liberalization as hostage for their political bargaining or speculation on the early elections, my hands are tied and those of my parliamentary colleagues, because we can’t move further with the visa free regime. But as I said, we should join our efforts to find the right ways, even if we have to search for any alternatives, but for that I would say the ball is certainly in the court of the Parliament of Kosovo.
How would you comment the release of Ramush Haradinaj by the court in France?
I think it’s good for the stability, for the region, to take a decision, to respect the decision, to not manifest excess emotions. I always say that when a court takes a decision, I always welcome the decision. Haradinaj will come back to Kosovo and I think that is also a positive note if the emotions of either sides do not manifest themselves excessively.
Recently, Macedonia is going through a state of emergency following the violent episode that protesters caused in Parliament, after the election of the new Albanian Speaker Talat Xhaferri. What is your comment on this event?
I was very shocked and I’m very concerned about this attack. This was an abrupt attack on democracy. To the members of the Parliament I would like to express my full solidarity and that of my colleagues and friends. This is something that we must strongly condemn. And I do appeal to everyone in Macedonia, especially those who are behind this attack, to allow democracy to run smooth, because no one wants to be judged for bringing down the fundamental values and rules of the democracy in any country. It’s a lot at stake in Macedonia. I’m following the situation very worryingly and I take with the very positive note the appointment of the Speaker of the Parliament, as many others international bodies took it. It was a positive step. In terms of what happened yesterday with the attacks and those who are behind it, I’d like to say that the red line has been crossed. The words don’t count anymore, so I think that the international community has to act very strongly and allow Parliament to work and respect the constitution.
Do you think that Balkans appear threatened by a revival of nationalism? On the other side, do you think that events such as the Berlin’s Process represents the continuation of a new wave that is blowing in our region? Can it be considered as a "Wind of Change" in the Balkans?
The enlargement is still alive, despite of the difficulties in the European Union. European Union is going through several crises. Bur after Brexit and Trump, and after recent geo-political developments, Europeans feel more than ever concerned and wish to work together, especially when it comes to security, creation of jobs, migration; Europeans wants to see more of Europe. We have to work with the countries of Western Balkans. We need each other for peace and stability in the region. The Western Balkans is becoming a playground for different geo-political interests. but Western Balkans has always been the east part of Europe. So, I don’t see other alternative than that we in the region try to build bridges with solidarity, with reconciliation, by working together, with all the regional initiatives that exists, for cooperation, for connectivity, in order to offer more chances to young people to have vision and prospective in the region, and as a strong region, to be competitive, and a partner of European Union. And I do hope that we will, through a process of painful reforms, improve the life of citizens in the Western Balkans, and of course make Western Balkans as soon as possible part of European Union, because in the in the face of global challenges surrounding us, such as terrorism, migration, environment challenges, energy challenges, we need each other. Not a single country in this continent, be it Germany, be it Slovenia, or Albania, can fight these challenges on his own. So, I hope that with commitment and reforms, we can continue the process of making Western Balkans part of European Union.
Lately, we hear more and more about the so called "Russian influence" in the Balkan’s region. Do you think that such reality exists and in which countries does it exist? Where do you see the negative side of this, and also is this a threat to the EU and why? Why should we care if the Balkans intensify their relations with Russia?
Yes, certainly. We should not close our eyes. Russians are playing an important role in the region in terms of financial resources. It is a strong influence. Is nothing wrong to have a dialogue and partnership, if this is sincere dialogue with respect to the values, the rules of the democracy, solidarity and the improvement of the life of the people. But I see the only future for the region is being part of European Union, because this is our continent that we share. We share our history, we share or future...
To conclude, what is your appeal to the political elite of Balkans? And Albanian elite too. How do you see the future of this region?
Maybe I am an optimist or idealist. I personally wouldn’t want to live in a Europe in which I wouldn’t feel safe. I wish that we all had a chance for a safe life, more trust, more solidarity, more justice and dignity for everyone in the region. I wish that the young generation grows up in an environment which offers them opportunities for jobs, for creativity , but also an opportunity to leave the country but come back and contribute for the country. So I see the future of our region as being united , being strong together and an important partner in the international environment. This is why I am a strong supporter of further enlargement of Western Balkans and I would also like to call on the politicians in the region to be aware what is at stake, to be sincere and to put the interests of people and citizens above private interests and to look beyond national borders to the European space we are living in to make sure that we have this peace, stability and prospective for people in the region.
