Holtekemper: Integration based on merits

In an interview for Top Channel, the German Ambassador to Tirana, Carola Muller Holtkemper says that integration means the implementation of the 12 priorities, and Albania needs to deserve the EU candidate status.

The Ambassador commented the political situation in our country while the Democratic and Socialist Parties are divided on their stances regarding the passing of the three laws that demand qualified majority in Parliament, which are essential for the EU candidate status.

Top Channel: Your Excellency, what’s your comment about the current political situation in Albania, with the DP and the SP remaining divided in their stances regarding the passing of the three laws that demand qualified majority in Parliament and which are essential for the candidate status?

Carola Müller-Holtkemper: I am hopeful that the Albanian political class will be inspired from the national celebrations to resolve the remaining issues for the best of the Albanian people. You must be proud for our history, since, by what I have understood, the founding fathers overcome the religious and political problems, and many other differences, for the sake of the common goal. I hope that this will serve as something inspiring for today.  

TCH: Do you think that Albania has fulfilled the 12 recommendations of the European Commission?

Carola Müller-Holtkemper: Albania has made visible progress, which has been reflected in the progress-report of the European Commission. Naturally, there are detailed issues in this progress report. We, as Germans, and some other partners, believe that the progress reached so far with the legislation should turn into an implementation, a practice. There are some very important areas for us, such as the implementation of the rule of law, war against corruption, organized crime. I think that it is possible to realize the necessary progress.

TCH: Do you believe that the progress reached so far is enough for the status?

Carola Müller-Holtkemper: The European Commission report underlines that some issues are still to be fulfilled, together with the laws that are about to be approved. Allow me to reiterate that this is the time for their implementation.

TCH: Has Germany come up with a stance about Albania, after the recommendations of October released by the European Commission on October 10th?

Carola Müller-Holtkemper: Naturally, the German government has its own position on this issue. For the moment we are negotiating with our partners. I can only say that the promise for the EU countries to join the EU still stands as it stood in 2000. With our projects and determination, and together with our partners, we support Albania in its path to fulfil all the conditions that are required to become a member country. This process is based on Merit.

TCH: And if Albania will fail to fulfil the conditions, which will be the stance of your country?

Carola Müller-Holtkemper: As I have said before, the Albanians can make it. They have shown in the past that they are in perfect positions to overcome complicated problems.

TCH:  Is there any scepticism in the German government for the integration process in Albania, while Netherlands has made their position very clear, by not being satisfied with Albania’s current efforts in fulfilling the recommendations?

Carola Müller-Holtkemper: Some duties have not been realized yet by Albania, but I believe that the political class will realize them, inspired by the celebrations for the independence. As regards their implementation, I believe that there are the perfect conditions for this to happen. I am not sceptical. If Albania will have political will, they will be realized.

TCH: Is it correct to say that your message says that there is no integration without implementation?

Carola Müller-Holtkemper: Yes, there is no integration without implementation.

TCH: The media have reported that Germany will use the elections of 2013 as an additional condition for the EU candidate status. Do you confirm this?

Carola Müller-Holtkemper: You must understand that I do not comment information or gossips from various sources.

TCH: What will be the future of the Kosovo-Albania power line, which will receive funds from the German KFW Bank, while the Albanian Ministry of Finances refuses to sign the agreement?

Carola Müller-Holtkemper: Recently we have received positive comments. We are keeping contacts with the Transmission System Operator and the Ministry of Finances. The first signals are that the project will return on the right track again.

TCH: When do you think that this project will be finalized?

Carola Müller-Holtkemper: I think that the respective documentation must end as soon as possible. As regards the construction of the system, I’m not a construction engineer to tell you when, because it really is a great challenge for the geological factor, the mountainour issue and other things for which I need to consult experts.

TCH: The correspondence between KFW and the Ministry of Finances it’s shown that the energy project for the southern axis remains problematic. Do such problems affect the Germany-Albania relations?

Carola Müller-Holtkemper: We have received positive signals for this too. The reports that we have are undergoing an evaluation process. We don’t have a clear panorama yet. My impression is that we are on the right track even for this issue.

TCH: Is it true that you have sent a protesting letter to the Albanian government regarding the KFW Bank issues?

Carola Müller-Holtkemper: We don’t work like that. We have a constant contact with the Foreign Ministry in Albania, with our Ministry of Finances, the KFW Bank and all actors involved. Everyone is aware of the eventual problems. As I have previously said, many of the problems can be resolved so that everyone involved can be pleased.

Prepared by: MUHAMED VELIU

Top Channel