Albania’s five years in NATO

He underlined that Tirana supports Kosovo’s NATO accession and the NATO open-door policy.

Top Channel: Five years have passed since Albania’s NATO membership. What has brought this accession to our country?

Ditmir Bushati, Foreign Minister of Albania: First of all, Albania’s accession to NATO is a marked day in the history of Albania’s return with the Euro-Atlantic nations. This is the most important meeting point of the new history of Albania. Certainly that as a member country, Albania has tried to be a stabilization factor in the region. Albania has tried to have a constructive policy in the region, to create a democratic stability, and to have an interaction with our allies in the diplomatic and military sense. Even today I believe that Albania is among the member countries who want the enlargement process to be made concrete and to reunify the continent with quality and reforms.

Tch: What is Albania’s stance for the creation of the Kosovo Armed Forces?

Ditmir Bushati: The creation of the Armed Forces is a very difficult process. It requires energy and vision. Albania has supported this process and the vision of the Kosovo government in this transformation process. We are ready to give support not only in the political view, but also in logistic and practical means, in order to prepare this force which in the future will be able to face the challenges for the NATO membership. Kosovo is a country which has clearly declared its euro-Atlantic vocation and desire to be part of the European Union and NATO. Albania will always support Kosovo.

Tch: The NAC will gather in Tirana for the first time on May 22nd and 23rd. Why was this organized in Tirana?

Ditmir Bushati: This is the reason why we agreed in the Ministerial Meeting of this December to establish a working group which would review the progress of all countries that aspire NATO membership and we want to give a clear message by welcoming the Northern Atlantic Council in Tirana, in order to focus attention on our region. So, NATO; for our region; on the verge of the Wels summit; for reviewing the progress of this process and for giving our political support. Certainly, we have a modest role in the Alliance, which is adequate to our ambition. We would like to see a push forward of the NATO enlargement which is facing difficult moments.

Tch: What chances are there for Montenegro to become a member in the next summit, and what is Albania’s position on this?

Ditmir Bushat: Albania’s position in favor of the open-door policy is clear, from the moment that the aspiring countries have fulfilled the standards and after they are certified by the NATO institutions and the member countries. It is important for all security gaps to be addressed by NATO. We are for a synchronized position between NATO, the EU and the USA, so that the security issue will not be divided by political matters, by state-building or social-economic convergence matters.

Tch: The Ukraine crisis is the focus of the ministerial meeting. What is the position of Albania on Georgia and Moldavia? Will Albania keep the ties with Russia, or it will respect only the sanctions?

Ditmir Bushati: It is understandable that the ministerial meeting will focus on the developments in Ukraine and the possible precedents that the Ukrainian crisis might bring in some areas of Europe or of the world. As the US State Secretary declared, we have a typical behavior of the 19th century in the 21st century, and Albania’s role has been very clear. We have contributed with observers in Ukraine, through the OSCE. We were among the NATO member countries which declared their disagreement against the illegal actions taken by Russia in Crimea, and we have agreed with the position held by the European Union not only because our foreign policy is harmonious with that of the EU, but also because it is an obligation that derives from the Stabilization-Association Agreement. Unfortunately, our region saw some events that are not very positive. Some Balkan countries, which have contractual agreements with the EU, didn’t join the sanctions against Russia. This is not about Russia or Ukraine, but about the principle of the international right, about the rule of law in international relations, processes that are very important for Europe and the world of today.

Albania’s NATO membership

Former Spokesperson Apathuraj: Albanians must feel proud

 
Top Channel: On April 1st 2009, in a press conference organized at 16:00, you announced the signing of the accession agreement. What are your memories today?

James Apathuraj: I remember it very well. When you are a NATO Spokesperson, you don’t have always good things to say. This was one of the best things that I had to say. It was a positive and historic event for NATO and Albania. I was very happy to announce this. From that moment, it has been mostly a confirmation of this good news. I think that the Albanian people should be very proud for their five years in the NATO. Allow me to list three very important things: first of all is Albania’s contribution in operations such as Afghanistan; secondly, the contribution with the skill-development projects through our intelligent defense plans; thirdly and most importantly is Albaina’s political contribution in Western Balkan, since Albania knows the region very well.
Albania’s voice is very clear. You have wonderful ambassadors and now there is a new one who is also doing a good job.

Prepared by: Arta TOZAJ / Top Channel

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