Lajcak: Albania, limited progress

In an interview for Top Channel, the Slovakian Head of Diplomacy adds that besides the reforms, the elections of the next year will have an important influence in the European aspirations of the country.

Lajcak: “My country is offering strong support to the European Enlargement of the Balkan countries, including Albania, and this is a fact. When it comes to Albania, which just celebrated the 100 years of independency, which is a great anniversary, the fact is that the country did not use its time to the best of possibilities last year and this year. Albania is a country that has everything on its hands. It is not limited about resolved issues, about territories, about names or something that is blocking the country from a greater European integration. Nonetheless, the progress was rather limited. It is clearly reflected in the Commission’s report, and I have a feeling that it will be also reflected in the December summit of the European Union. I want to express my hope that the message of the European leaders from Brussels will serve as an alarm bell for the entire political leaders who really think about the benefit of all Albanians, so that they can start working and accelerating their efforts to fulfill the expectancies of the Albanian citizens”.

TCH: You followed the elections of 2009 in your previous post. What is your message for the next year, and will they become a condition for the status?

Lajcak: “I hope that the next year’s elections will fulfill the European criteria for free and honest elections. I really hope that we will have an interpretation of the electoral results. I hope that these elections will be a strong impulse for promoting the European ambitions of Albania.

The leaders of all political parties know very well what is expected from them. They know what has been recommended by the EU and the OSCE in order to improve the legislation. It’s their responsibility to guarantee that this will reflect not only on the electoral process, but also the electoral results.

I’m not in a position to say officially if the elections will be a condition or not. But I can guarantee that the electoral process, the elections and the post-election situation, such as the ballot count, will have a great impact in the European aspirations of your country”.

Top Channel