Prime Minister Edi Rama’s interview at the Deutsche Welle television studio in Berlin:

 

DW: Joining us in the studio today is the Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama. Welcome to our show! Thank you very much for being here with us! We saw you talking about building a European Albania. So what are you going to tell Chancellor Angela Merkel in order to gain her support for this objective?

Prime Minister Edi Rama: Honestly there is not much to tell the Chancellor as she is well aware of the region, its challenges and the need for a clear perspective. But we will be discussing the progress to date, the fact that the European Commission made a clear and unconditional recommendation and the need to launch the accession negotiations no as soon as possible without wasting time, for it is not the end of the process, but the end of a stage and the beginning of a new and much more difficult phase, which will require more efforts and sacrifices.

DW: When you say for the negotiations to start as soon as possible, do you have a date in mind?

PM Edi Rama: Today.

DW: Today? I am sure you will discuss the date with the Chancellor. We saw the President of the European Council Donald Tusk in Tirana yesterday who was cautious about Albania’s prospect of European Union membership. So, all EU Member States should be convinced. Do you see any difficulties in this?

PM Edi Rama: This is not to be taken for granted, because on one hand we have received the recommendation, which, as I said, it is a clear and unconditional recommendation, which actually means that technically we have already fulfilled our obligations. We have done most of homework for this stage. So it is already a decision-making process based on political judgement and when it comes to political judgment there is always war, because there different viewpoints and different interests. But, what I would like is that Albania does not become hostage to any internal political dynamics and is not be used by political forces or individuals as a sort of “scapegoat” to advance agendas that have nothing to do with what we have done to do our homework.

DW: Do you expect diplomatic help from the Commission and Berlin in order to avoid and overcome these obstacles?

PM Edi Rama: In this process, Albania has plenty of friends and partner. First and foremost I strongly believe the Chancellor, a European champion and who has championed the transformation processes in the region starting with the so-called Berlin Process, will be in favour of moving ahead with this process for us and Macedonia at a crucial moment when some countries are already negotiating, namely Serbia and Montenegro, and we are ready to join them on a journey that will be difficult, which will be long but that is absolutely essential to further change Albania and the region.

DW: Do you see Montenegro as a topic or a potential issue for discussion in regard to the diplomatic discussions taking place there and as basis for security in the Balkans?

PM Edi Rama: Yes, Montenegro is a clear NATO and EU partner and it represents a case showing there are vulnerable parts in the region, there are third actors seeking to interfere and influence. Therefore, strengthening the European perspective is essential to the region’s stability and to the security of Europe itself.

DW: You are set to meet many people during your Berlin tour today, while the Committee on the Affairs of the European Union, one of your destinations, and the Committee’s chairman has given some advice to Albania: so less corruption, less organized crime, a more open economy. How long do you think it will take for your country, Albania, to move on this path to this progress?

PM Edi Rama: It depends on the point of view, in the sense that if we were to see these issues based on the stage we are at, then we have made not only substantial progress, but also a surprising one. Let me point out that some 21 heavyweight judges and prosecutors are now out of the justice system during the first steps of the vetting and justice reform process. So the justice system is being cleaned. Let me also add that the Progress Report, as well as the enlargement package have clearly stated this is a model that needs to extend to other countries in the region. There are countries that are already negotiating today and need to move further based on this model.

Let me point out the surprising results in the efforts to eradicate the cannabis cultivation last year, results that have been recognized by the European Commission based on the aerial surveillance mission operated by Italy’s Guardia di Finanza. Looking at it from the perspective of entering a new phase now it is more than enough, but if we look at it from the point of becoming an EU member, yes, I absolutely agree with the gentlemen that we still have a lot to do. But I have to make it clear, this is not about becoming a member state tomorrow, but it is about launching a great job in order to be ready. If we were ready in all these aspects, then why not become a member state. So it has not to do with membership. It has to do with continuation of efforts. If we were to talk about the economy, I would emphasize that Albanian economy was growing at a zero rate when we took office and it is now returning to about 4 percent annual growth rate. There are many independent reports recognizing significant progress.

DW: In short, I would like to ask you about regional stability. This is not just about Albania and its membership, but it is also about security and stability in the Balkans. How important is this?

PM Edi Rama: To put it briefly in one single sentence, I would say it is precisely for those reasons that Euro sceptics, or anti-European forces and individuals who are preaching that Europe does not need to look beyond its present borders. Europe needs the Balkans for security, first and foremost, because a safer and more secure Europe is more and more linked to the Balkans that becomes part of it. Otherwise, Europe is less secure.

DW: – Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama, thank you for being with us today and good luck with all your meetings in Berlin!