Bushati: “Expelling of Russian diplomats, Albania in alignment with NATO and EU countries”

In a live interview for Top Channel, the Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, Ditmir Bushati, said that this decision was taken in the past 48 hours as coordination within the NATO alliance, a response to recent actions, such as the killing of a former Russian spy in Britain.

“Albania is a NATO member and EU candidate. We have reiterated that we have an alignment of our policy with these organizations. We have moved to another phase, coordinating our actions with our NATO partners, and this is a decision coordinated with them, in response to the recent developments, especially after the case that became public in the UK.

Top Channel: “Were there signs about the activity of these diplomats, the attaché and the first secretary, which that goes against their diplomatic status?”

Ditmir Bushati: Albania is a country with a clear strategic priority, especially as regards the Euro-Atlantic principles and values. There have been some official stances in the past from both the Ministry of Defense and other state structures. I can tell you that during the past 48 hours there has been coordination within NATO, with important partners, EU members, about how we could respond to what happened in the UK.

Top Channel: What risks is Albania going against as regards the relations with Russia, after this decision?

Ditmir Bushati: “There is no discussion that this is a difficult decision. Of course, Albania has taken in consideration all consequences that could come after this alignment with the Western camp, and maybe it is not by chance that some other events took place today in Western Balkan. Today we have the same alignment from countries that aspire to become EU members. Our alignment is based on values which we defend and which we need to promote.

Top Channel: Should we expect our diplomats to leave Moscow, of course?

Ditmir Bushati: We need to wait calmly and see what will happen in the days to come. There are several developments in the political and diplomatic agenda since there will be a NATO ministerial in a few days. This topic will be discussed in this ministerial and also at the NATO summit, from where the NATO and EU countries may give a more unified response.

Top Channel: How did the Russian ambassador react when you communicated them this decision? Your job involved personal relations as well.

Ditmir Bushati: The Ambassador was summoned by the respective structures at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in accordance with diplomatic practices. Albania doesn’t have a rich story of expelled diplomats, and this is not one of those meetings one wants to face.

Top Channel