The European Parliament Member, Eduard Kukan, says he has been informed
by his colleague, Knut Fleckenstein, that Albania has had small progress
with the justice reform and decriminalization. But he says he was
surprised when heard that difficulties came from the drug test. He says
such debate must not continue, for the image of Albania.
TCH: “There are voices you could take the leadership of the delegation for Albania, since Mrs.Macovei might leave that post. Is that true?
Eduard Kukan: No. This issue is very fresh. It will be part of the discussion for political groups. I believe this position is up to the European People’s Party, because there have been difficult negotiations and as result we reached this agreement between the political parties. This is why after Mrs.Macovei will leave our political family to join the reformist conservatories, I think it is reasonable and logical for this position to return to the EPP, and I expect Mr.Brok, who is responsible for this negotiations, to speak with the counterparts of other groups. As for me, this is hasty because I am leader of the delegation for Serbia, and there are many able MPs in the group who want to take a position, and it would not be honest for me to take it. I am interested on Albania. I have the necessary expertise for it, with all modesty. I know the country, I like it and I love the people, but in these circumstances I will demand to become member of the Delegation for Albania. Not to be Chair of the delegation, because that would be excessive and it requires many political considerations with our leaders.
TCH: You declared in Madrid that decriminalization is necessary to start the accession talks. Rapporteur Fleckenstein believes that the Commission, the Institution that has not published the progress reports of this year, will make a positive recommendation during the next year. Did you discuss with him after the visit in Tirana, for the intervention method at the Albanian political parties, to reach a common approach on the judiciary reform, including decriminalizaiton?
Eduard Kukan: We had agreed that after he returned from Tirana, we would sit and evaluate the situation, to see how we could be useful for Albania. Because the justice reform and decriminalization are a process that need to be closed. I heard there is not enough progress. I was surprised to hear that issues such as the drug test are creating difficulties. It should not be such a big problem. There is something wrong when this is opposed by someone, because, normally, all politicians should be clean on this issue. I am surprised it appeared to be a difficult problem. The image of Albania has some features and I don’t think the drug test should continue. The sooner it is resolved, the better it will be for the country. I don’t think it is necessary to say the accession negotiations must start when the judiciary reform is done. If I have said this, I have expressed wrongly. All five criteria should be taken in consideration. I hope we will have the progress report soon, because we have a special situation this year that has never happened before. I remember that the enlargement package would usually be published on October 10th. I think this situation is because of Turkey and the treatment of refugees. But on November 5th, when it will be presented at the College of Commissions, I trust it will be published. I want to underline a point, when we speak about the possible negotiations in 2016. I remember that Serbia received the date for the negotiations, on March 1st. This means if the priorities are completed, the Commission will be able to make its recommendation. The Albanian politicians should keep this in mind.
TCH: Based on your experience at the European Parliament and at the Slovakian government, how can the economic reforms be synchronized with the tax measures and social policies in a small country like Albania, without giving the impression that harsh measures work better than softer ones?
Eduard Kukan: Based on my personal experience, it is difficult to present and implement economic measures. In Slovakia we implemented all of them at once, thinking every problem should be resolved with one operation. This was very harsh for the citizens. They were more discontent for two or three years until they understood they were necessary. My advice would be to be realistic. Don’t play with populist tones. The people must understand that this will be useful in a long term. These reform must continue in parallel, not step by step. People must understand the truth that this is not about Brussels or the EU, but for the best of the future of Albanians.
Prepared by: Arta Tozaj
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