Fule: Cosnensual President

A few days before his visit to Albania, Commissioner Fule explained from Brussels the main messages that he will transmit and the expectancies regarding the EU reforming agenda of the country.

“I am looking forward to this visit for a special reason. Last year was not the best year for Albania’s EU integration. Too much time was lost with internal matters, and the lack of comprehensiveness in this process was seen as an infected wound from here in Brussels.

But on November there was an important understanding. There was a recovery by all interested parties, about a series of issues in the EU process. Certainly, things are not perfect, but they are going in the right direction. I am going there not for addressing the issues and problems of the future, but for valuing what the politicians are giving to the expectancies of their citizens, not to Brussels.

Secondly, I want to have a discussion about where we stand today. Which is today’s view? If we are seeing the same thing when we speak about progress that we have and the issues that have remained open. Secondly, I want to confirm a very realistic guide, with the hope that this will bring Albania, even this year, to a higher level with the enlargement agenda”, Fule declared.

TCH: Besides the political reforms, how important are the results about the rule of law, the independency of the justice system and war against corruption?

Fule: “I think that you just mentioned the most important issues, the rule of law, war against corruption and organized crime, the reinforcement of democracy. These are important not only to move forward with the enlargement agenda, but these are also the most important elements for the country’s transformation.

We have realized that with the enlargement process, and especially the membership negotiations, we can help the country in the transforming process. For this reason, the Commission had this new approach by the end of last year, for two of 35 negotiation chapters.

This doesn’t mean that some chapters are more important than the others, but by treating them in the beginning and not in the end of the process – chapters 23 and 24 that are related with the judicial system, with security, basic freedoms and rights – this allows the country to not only pass the legislation and establish institutions, but it also goes to the citizens’ benefit for guaranteeing through a series of evidence that this will be one of the most important membership negotiation issues. For this reason it is very important and there is so much focus by the Commission on the discussion with the Albanian representatives”.

As for the Presidential election, the Commissioner expects the political parties to agree.

“They cannot hear from us what they must exactly do. Our goal is not to impose this or that solution. However, what I will underline in Tirana is that the role of the President is important, even with the Albanian system. He must be President for all Albanians. He guarantees not only the Constitutionality, but also reflects the points of view and concerns of all Albanians, not only from one party. He must be an important element for comprehensiveness, and for the next reforms and steps that are related with the EU enlargement. Therefore, I hope that all interested parties, all political parties will make an agreement that will guarantee that the new Albanian President will reflect these expectancies”, Fule declared.

TCH: Do you think that Albania has enough time to give the results that would grant the EU candidate status recommendation by autumn?

Fule: “There is a clear and short answer for this question. Yes. Absolutely yes. If there is will, there are solutions. We are decided to assist Albania for accelerating the reforms, using this new positive atmosphere as good as possible, and also for the comprehensiveness, as regards the approach for the enlargement agenda reforms.

I also think that this is a second important element, because it is clear what remains to be done. We are not speaking about unknown issues. There is no such ambiguity. There is a very clear list of issues for pushing Albania forward, on the citizens’ behalf, first of all. I think that the combination of the political power with the awareness of what is needed to be done is the necessary coordination for Albania to make significant progress this year.

 I hope that during my visit I will see this high level of ambition not only by some, but by all Albanian politicians with whom I will discuss”.

Besides the meetings with the President, the Parliament Speaker, the Prime Minister and other government and opposition representatives, Stefan Fule will meet with the Ombudsman and will hold a speech in the Albanian Parliament for the first time.

Prepared by: Arta Tozaj

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