Knut Fleckenstein, the rapporteur for Albania, in an interview with Top Channel’s journalist, Muhamed Veliu, gave details about the debates that the European MPs had with the leader of the Socialist Movement for Integration, Monika Kryemadhi, during their meeting at the EU Delegation Headquarters in Tirana.
“She gave us the impression that she doesn’t care that much. This is something new, because our impression so far had been that political parties, regardless of the conflicts between each other, wanted to see Albania in the EU. But now it seems that changing governments is much more important”, said Knut Fleckenstein.
“The future of the EU negotiations will depend on what Albania’s politicians will produce in the upcoming weeks”, says Knut Fleckenstein, who disagrees with Basha’s stance that the country’s European integration is blocked by the fact that Albania is like Columbia, but by the opposition’s boycott.
What is your general opinion regarding the meetings that you had?
Initially, my colleagues and I, who come from seven different countries, agreed that the judiciary reform and Vetting process are an ongoing procedure. This is very important regarding the decision that the EU Council of Ministers will take this June. We had the good feeling that even for other matters, such as the fight against corruption, we were able to see at least the first steps, and with the fight against organized crime as well. It is a start. This is what we were expecting and we are happy to see it.
Do you think that the EU Council of Ministers will take a decision in June, or will it be postponed to autumn?
I cannot give you an exact answer on that, because I am not a member of the Council. I come from the European Parliament. We are very clear that the accession negotiations should open now. On the other hand, it is up to some of the member countries, which are skeptical and critical. However, it also depends a lot on the images that we will see from the streets of Tirana in the next week.
Mr.Fleckenstein, you said in the press release that you were very disappointed by what Mr.Kryemadhi said in the meeting. Why this disappointment?
She said that they had taken a decision and wanted to remove this government, and this is a handicap for opening of the negotiations. She gave us the impression that she doesn’t care. This is something new, because so far we had had the impression that political parties, regardless of their conflicts, wanted to see the country progress with the EU the soonest possible. But this time we see that changing governments is much more important.
You had a meeting with the Parliament Speaker. Is it true that you said that the First Lady of Albania should not try to block the integration process?
It is true, because with the images we see on the streets, you must take in consideration the impression they leave on those who think that now it is the right time to open the accession negotiations with Albania.
After your declarations, Mr.Basha said that the main obstacle for the country’s EU integration is the fact that Albania is just like Columbia. Do you share the same stance?
No.
Do you see a light in the end of this tunnel for this political crisis?
I hope that despite the political divisions – and I take very seriously what Mr.Basha said – they must not forget that the impression that they create in Brussels is also very important. They must think what measures are OK, and what not. The protests are a fundamental right for the parties of the opposition, but violent ones should not happen.
What did you ask from Mr.Basha, Mrs.Kryemadhi and PM Rama when you met them?
It is always the same thing. We don’t like parliamentary boycotts and resignation of mandates, may that be here in Albania, with the Democratic Party, or in Bulgaria, with my friends. This is not how democracy works. The battleground for an elected Parliament, is the house of Parliament. Everything else can come as an addition, but it will not replace it.
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