Prime Minister Edi Rama’s interview with the FRANCE 24 TV Channel:

France 24 TV: Albania aspires to join the European Union. The negotiations have been opened. Ten days after the Sofia summit, Bulgaria, today we have invited the Prime Minister of Albania, Mr. Edi Rama. Thank you very much for being with us tonight. Before talking about the negotiations due to open between Albania and the European Union, I want to go back to an incident that took place last weekend. Indeed, a journalist was injured during an opposition protest. They ask for your resignation, the resignation of the Interior Minister, what’s happening?

PM Edi Rama: I think this is not a news story to hit the headlines on the international newspapers, but it is part of our country’s internal life. The opposition is protesting and there is a government in power.

France 24 TV: So you have no intention to step down?

PM Edi Rama: Calling on the Prime Minister to quit is something that happens often in Albania since the country established democracy.

France 24 TV: But why this time they are demanding your resignation and are also criticizing the Interior Minister for alleged ties his brother has had with drug. You put it simply saying this is the inner democratic life of your country?

Prime Minister Edi Rama: Yes and indeed when I speak in a foreign language I never talk about the opposition, because I think it is an internal issue of Albania.

France 24 TV: You said this is Albania’s democratic life. The opposition is there and you are declining to comment further on that. So there is nothing to be surprised at, because this is the internal life of your country and you will not resign?

PM Edi Rama: Yes, that’s right. Albania has seen much bigger manifestations. This is the country’s democratic life and it is quite normal.

France 24 TV: Okay, let’s stop here then. Are there any other concrete results regarding the fight against crime, organized crime and drug trafficking, because it is part of the commitments Albania must meet before joining the European Union?

PM Edi Rama: We have achieved many fundamental results. Otherwise, the European Commission wouldn’t have made the unconditional recommendation to open negotiations with Albania. And on the other hand, of course we are aware there is still a lot to be done and we are knocking on EU doors not to become members, but we are preparing to open the accession negotiations, which will continue for many years to put into practice all the necessary reforms and improve everything we can do in terms of lawmaking. It’s an ongoing job.

France 24 TV: In fact, Europe is suffering from criticism …

PM Edi Rama: Yes, it is suffering from criticism levelled from within the EU. I think there are many reasons for this criticism and one of them is the most essential according, according to me. Europe today is actually for the first time in its history living a moment when the today’s new generation has not recognized the war, while we in the Balkans have experienced the war. I was not young, but an adult, even serving as Minister of Culture when we had a terrible war that forced 500-600 thousand Kosovo Albanians fled the country to seek sanctuary in Albania.

France 24 TV: Following the disintegration of former Yugoslavia …

PM Edi Rama: Exactly. We know, we recognize the war and this is the reason why Europe to us is what it has been to the founding fathers of the EU. It is the place of peace and security.

France 24 TV: The EU-Western Balkans summit took place in Sofia about ten days ago. Did you get the impression in this summit that the EU doors were open to you given the today’s criticism?

PM Edi Rama: In fact, it is not in fact about the EU enlargement, but it is about continuing in line with what your President Macron has said. So on one hand it is about moving towards deepening the EU Union itself before expanding and on the other hand it is about deepening the reforms in the Balkan countries before we become members.

France 24 TV: So it is not an actual enlargement …

PM Edi Rama: No, it is not an actual enlargement. It happens when new members join in. For now there is no way for new members to join in, but it is about helping the Balkan nations, like Albania, Macedonia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, and Montenegro, to move them towards making progress.

France 24 TV: You are not asking money from Europe?

PM Edi Rama: We are asking no money from Europe. The negotiations cost nothing to Europe. The negotiations are simply an away to move forward on reforms and inspections to check whether we have or we haven’t delivered on these reforms.

France 24 TV: Are there still many reforms you need to address?

PM Edi Rama: Yes, there are many chapters. For our country it is a path of trust and we are doing this not to become members, but for the sake of our children, because we intend to break once and for good away from the past and become states where the rule of law prevails just like in the EU member countries.

France 24 TV: So, for you, Europe is the future?

PM Edi Rama: It is the only potential future.

France 24 TV: Albania has the highest percentage of young population emigrating to EU. What is the reason why young people leave Albania?

PM Edi Rama: In fact there is a period which followed after Albania’s isolation. The country opened and people leave and return home. On one hand, it is the change of the system that causes it and on the other I think it is quite normal for people to leave and come back home.

France 24 TV: Don’t you feel sorry about them?

PM Edi Rama: No, I don’t feel sorry because history has it that rich countries, the wealthiest nations in today’s Europe have once been poor countries and people have emigrated and have helped then their families back home. They have learned a lot of things around the world and they have returned bringing home new cultures and capacities and growing their countries rich.

France 24 TV: A question about the Turkish President Erdogan. He has stated that Turkey has invested 3 billion Euros in Albania, including a new airport in Vlora. Do you support these projects?

PM Edi Rama: It is actually about a balance of a 30-year-long cooperation. The three-billion euro investment has not been made today but throughout 30 years of cooperation. Just like it happens in other countries too and everyone is free to do business either with Chinese, Turkish, or European enterprises.

France 24 TV: Are they all welcomed in Albania?

PM Edi Rama: Yes, they are all welcomed in Albania.

France 24 TV: So Erdogan is not seeking to expand his influence in the Balkans and Albania in particular?

PM Edi Rama: Turkey has long-lasting friendship ties with Albania. Albania is an EU-oriented country. Albania is home to both Muslims and Christians alike, but it’s today religion is Europe.

France 24 TV: Thank you very much for being with us today Mr. Prime Minister of Albania, Edi Rama.