Kukan: January 21st delays, a bad signal

Kukan underlined that the European Parliament will keep asking this to the authorities of Tirana. He says he hopes that the negotiations will start within this year, but Albania must confirm a new political environment. Mr.Kukan gave an interview for Top Channel’s journalist, Arta Tozaj.

TCH: Mr.Kukan, four years have passed from January 21st, when four people were killed, and no justice has been done. Things are not good in Albania, as you say. How can the European Parliament help with this, and when could the accession chapters open for justice?

Kukan: The truth is that Albania needs a clean record in order to progress, especially as regards political developments. What happened on January 21st, four years ago, should have been investigated and justice should be made. The fact that it is being delayed for so long is a bad sign. The Parliament of Europe might mention it and make appeals about it to the Albanian government during inter-parliamentary meetings. They might note that this is needed for Albanai to fix before continuing with the accession process at full speed. I am convinced that the delegation will mention this. To be sincere, I am surprised that it is taking so long, because the government changed and the situation is the same. I am sure that the members of the European Parliament still have it in their memory. They have not forgotten and history is very important for a country. I am convinced that they will mention it, with the hope that things will get fixed. As regards the European future of Albania…

TCH: The opposition returned in Parliament after your intervention. What are your concerns? What remains to be done?

Kukan: What remains to be done is what was already on the table before. Normal political dialogue, nromal communication of political parties, discussion on the five key priorities of the Commission. Nothing new. Everything was already on the agenda. The government and the opposition must cooperate. We need confirmation that the new political environment in Albania is more stable, and that the events predicted for the future, such as the local elections, will be held with democracy. I must underline that we wo not expect politicians to embrace each other every time tey meet. The discussions may be dramatic sometimes, because each party will follow its own political interests, but they must focus first on the future of the country. I would expect them to resolve problems on their own. It is not a good signal that every time that Albanians have difficulties, they appeal the international community for help. We are ready for this, but we expect a level of dialogue that would resolve these sisues. As for the accession of Albania in the EU, the country must take the date for opening the negotiations. The mood in the EU and in Albania is positive. IF we receive information for 2-3 months that the situation has changed, that the political parties are discussing especially on the European agenda, then the thought for taking a date is realistic…

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