The Albanian Prime Minister, Sali Berisha, attended the conference of
the Balkan right wing parties in Brussels. He declared that his
government is working for the EU candidate status. Berisha underlined
that his government is committed to remove immunity and that this is a
serious reforming process in the war against corruption.
Asked about the EU candidate status opinion, which will be released for Albania this autumn, Berisha expressed his conviction that the government will make everything in its power for fulfilling the obligations. I can say that the opposition has been fulfilling their duties.
TCH: What about the government. Did they fulfill their duties..?
Berisha: The government is working hard for fulfilling them. This is a process that is constantly improved. The government is working with the greatest seriousness in all fields, in order to reach the standards.
TCH: Mr. Berisha, you spoke about corruption….
Berisha: Certainly, and I will still speak about it.
TCH: Corruption was a serious problem before you came to power and even after. What’s your opinion that during the two mandates of your government, no Minister or Deputy Minister has ever been accused of corruption, let alone getting trialed?
Berisha: It is important to note that this is the first government that will remove immunity.
TCH: Immunity was not a problem on Ilir Meta’s case.
Berisha: First of all, immunities are removed. This is the first government that realizes this, and there is no other government of any other country that brings to justice 708 officials at once, as it happened two days ago in Albania. This is the first government in which there is a serious process of reforms in the war against corruption, and a penal policy against it. How do you explain this fact? I can say two things. The Albanian justice, regardless the problems, has made achievements that speak more than all other accusations. In 2005, the prison population in general was 1800, today it is 5000. These are judges that bring justice each day. Secondly, 60% of the cases when the government are sued are won by the other parts.
TCH: But not with Minister, only with citizens…
Berisha: The government is penalized, and the government is composed by the Ministers and the Prime Minister.
TCH: Which Minister has been penalized?
Berisha: If 60% of the decisions are not in favor of the government, it means that this justice functions independently. We are not discussing if we need to have scapegoats or not, this is something else. I say that we have a strong rule of law. This is all that I can say.
Prepared by: Arta Tozaj
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