Haxhinasto: Three messages for Albania

21/06/2011 09:10

While the European Union expressed their concern on the political
situation, the second person in charge in the Albanian government is
proud of Albania’s international developments, leaving a part of the
blame to the domestic political events and the journalists, who he
accuses of lacking patriotism.

This was the declaration of Albania’s Foreign Minister after the meeting with EU and Balkan Foreign Ministers. He listed the messages taken by this forum that was held to discuss the challenges of the Balkan region, especially for the elections, in presence of OSCE-ODIHR representatives.

Haxhinasto:
Albania came took the message that this is the moment to implement the logic of respecting law. Albania must respect independent institutions, its courts and laws. Secondly, Albania is coming out with the message that it is necessary to realize an election reform with wide political consensus, to take the assistance and advices of specialized institutions, such as ODIHR and Commission of Venice. The third message given to Albania is that the political class must commit in an institutional way to focus on the implementation of 12 key priorities set by the European Union.

Top Channel:
Mr. Haxhinasto, in all the points that you mentioned, the key word is the political class. Is it embarrassing for you, as a politician, when you participate in meetings of this level, when you must justify your position and that of the Albanian political class? And I am not talking only about the government.

Haxhinasto:
Not at all. I represent Albania. Albania is a country with extraordinary progress…

Top Channel:
Including political maturity?

Haxhinasto:
Politics is one of the general developing elements in Albania. There are many things to be proud of, for what is happening in Albania: its economic development; its contribution to the region and in other parts of the world, such as in Afghanistan and most recently in Tunisia. But not everything must be based on the politics. You journalists must be more optimists, because you should be aware that you also have a patriotic duty. By showing Albania’s development with realism, you perform your duty as citizens.

A preliminary impression if Albania has fulfilled the Copenhagen’s political criteria, especially the evaluation of the local elections, will be given on July 18th and 19th, in the Association and Stabilization Council between EU and Albania. The final report about the country’s progress for this year will be published on October 12th, as promised by the European Commission.

Prepared by: Arta Tozaj

Top Channel