“We must keep threat away from the Balkans,” Prime Minister Edi Rama told an interview for the leading Austrian newspaper “Die Presse.”

 

“Albania’s Prime Minister Edi Rama is concerned about Russian influence in the region, but shows understanding for Serbia’s anti-sanctions course. Albania will still need years to join the EU.

Prime Minister, how much does the Ukraine war threaten stability and peace in the Balkans?

PM Edi Rama: The conflict is a potential threat to our region, because Russia traditionally has a strong influence in parts of the Balkans. This applies in particular to Serbia, Montenegro, North Macedonia and the Republika Srpska in Bosnia-Herzegovina.

What does that mean for the EU’s sanctions policy against Russia?

PM Edi Rama: We must do everything we can to keep the potential threat away from the Balkans. Therefore, no further pressure should be exerted on Serbia to impose sanctions on Russia. Such sanctions are not possible, because Serbia cannot survive without Russia. In addition, the government and President Aleksandar Vučić would not politically survive sanctions against Russia. Serbia has already taken a stand. We must not forget that Belgrade has already voted against Russia three times in the UN. This is a big surprise. It is also a sign that there is a strong will in Belgrade to integrate into the EU.

You are seeking to build a kind of mini Schengen zone between Albania, Serbia, and North Macedonia. What are the chances of that happening?

PM Edi Rama: We need the free movement of people, goods and services between our countries. This is part of our path to the EU. It is very important because it increases the chances of higher economic growth. Each of us in the Western Balkans represents a very small market. Further isolation is therefore very disadvantageous for WB 6 economically. We are already seeing the benefits of the closer cooperation in the Western Balkans through an increasing trading volume.

 

On July 19, the EU opened accession negotiations with Albania and North Macedonia. How fast will the negotiations proceed?

PM Edi Rama: It is pretty difficult to predict a possible progress in the accession talks. It won’t be an easy journey. It will take us years to make the journey to the EU. After all, it will eventually depend on the WB 6 countries themselves how quickly we will meet all the requirements. But the EU’s constructive enlargement approach in the Western Balkans is also very important. 

 

What is currently happening?

PM Edi Rama: We are very happy about the know-how transfer how to the WB 6 countries. No other world body is more capable than EU to improve state organizations and support countries in their reform efforts to build a functioning administration or an independent judiciary. Therefore, countries like Albania are fortunate enough to have the EU support at this time. 

Austria sees itself as the bridge builder in the region. How good is the support from the Vienna government?

PM Edi Rama: In fact, Austria is an ideal bridge builder for the Western Balkans due to its historical roots. I am aware of the fact that some in Austria regard these ties more as a nostalgic legacy. Nevertheless, the government in Vienna has always demanded the full integration of the Western Balkans into the EU. We appreciate this special sensitivity very much. 

 

Europe is struggling with a threatening energy crisis. What do the high electricity and gas prices mean for Albania?

PM Edi Rama: We are blessed with an advantage. We can meet the domestic needs for electricity through hydroelectric power. Therefore, our energy generation is already 100 percent green one. We are in no way dependent on the Russian gas. But we depend on the blessing of Lord.

 

What for?

PM Edi Rama: We depend on the blessing of the Lord in heaven above to pour sufficient rain for us despite climate change. After all, in the past five years we have experienced the most prolonged drought in our history. Therefore we risk becoming dependent on energy imports and would then become as dependent as our neighbours in the region.

 

What are the measures your government has taken to improve the energy security in times of climate change?

PM Edi Rama: In principle, we will diversify our energy generation. We are currently building two large solar power parks in Albania. More natural gas pipeline projects are being explored. In the meantime, we will expand wind power projects. In addition, liquid gas – i.e. LNG – is an issue for us. Finally, the Trans-Adriatic pipeline brings gas from Azerbaijan via Greece to our southern coast and on to Italy. We are also involved in the Ionian-Adriatic pipeline project, which will supply natural gas from Albania via Montenegro, Bosnia and Herzegovina to Croatia. This new pipeline will be connected to the Trans-Adriatic pipeline line. 

 

Will there be built a NATO naval base in Durres?

PM Edi Rama: The NATO naval base project is related to the construction of a modern commercial port outside the city of Durres. We are working closely with NATO to develop this project. It is important for Albania, as well as for the security of the entire region. But the project is still on is early stages. 

 

How much is China influencing the region?

PM Edi Rama: We do not have a strong Chinese presence in Albania. For example, the Chinese no longer operate Tirana’s international airport.  They still run an important oil field and a number of smaller companies. That’s all. But one thing is clear: Beijing has strong long-term economic interests in the region.

 

What about the influence of Türkiye?

PM Edi Rama: It is a myth that Türkiye is said to have built many mosques in Albania. That’s not true. There is a mosque right now that was built with Turkish support. On the other hand, the importance as trade partner is growing. 

 

Recently you were heavily criticized in an article on the “Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung” for not respecting freedom of the press and journalists?

PM Edi Rama: I am really very saddened that this fake news being spread by reputable quality media in major democracies. Honestly, I wonder how we can respond to such unfounded allegations?

 

By providing facts?

PM Edi Rama: My comments were taken out of the context. It’s all very saddening for me. Such contributions put Albania in a corner on the issue of freedom of the press where we do not belong. We are a country where everyone is liberal about everything. Everybody can say anything without being disadvantaged or discriminated against. 

 

The organization Reporters without Borders ranks your country 103rd out of 180 countries. Not exactly a compliment?

PM Edi Rama: That’s a terrible review! The fact is: No journalists are threatened or are in prison. There are no restrictions on editorial offices, nor are there any government court cases against journalists. I am not an enemy of free media. Despite everything, I’m the target of the attacks. I have never told journalists “you’re pigs or parasites.” Never! But such unjustified attacks result in bad ratings. 

Besides serving as Prime Minister for many years now, you’ve also been an artist for a long time. Do you still want to paint?

PM Edi Rama: For time reasons, I create my art mostly when in my office. There is a gallery in Berlin that offers and exhibits my pictures. It also takes care of the exhibition of my paintings and sculptures. I don’t have the time for that.