Miroslav Lajčák, OSCE President and Slovakia’s Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, concluded his visit to Tirana with an interview for Top Channel’s journalist, Muhamed Veliu, commenting the recent political developments in the country.
“And I have to add that the escalation of violence during several opposition-led protests is very worrying and has to stop immediately. Riots are not a substitute for democratic political engagement. They cut off any chance of dialogue – and therefore any chance of finding common ground”, Lajčák said.
He also has a message to the government: “While it is important to hear critical voices and peaceful protests are a fundamental right of our citizens, the continuation of violent ones are criminal acts and would damage Albania’s reform efforts and inevitably hamper its domestic and foreign strategic priorities”.
Minister Lajčák, what did you try to achieve during your visit to Albania?
Lajčák : I visited Albania in my capacity as OSCE Chairperson-in-Office for 2019 and I did so for two reasons. First of all, to express my support to the OSCE Presence and its staff in Albania, and to see the OSCE activities on the ground for myself.
At the beginning of our Slovak OSCE Chairmanship in January 2019, I pledged to visit all OSCE presences on the ground. And I’m on track. I visited Ukraine and Moldova. And I have already been to all Central Asian countries, and to Montenegro as the first country in South Eastern Europe. This week I’m in Albania and Serbia and in two weeks’ time I will visit the OSCE Missions in North Macedonia, to Bosnia and Herzegovina, and in Kosovo.
I went to Tirana, because I wanted to hear from people on the ground on how the OSCE can further support the country in its reform efforts in order to achieve its strategic priorities, as well as in meeting its international commitments.
And I really commend Albania on its progress made to date and encourage institutions to further focus on reforms, particularly on reforming the electoral system, strengthening the judiciary, combatting corruption and organized crime, increasing the participation of women in Albania’s public and promoting freedom of the media.
The second reason for my visit this week was to show that Slovakia is at Albania’s side as OSCE Chair for 2020. Albania will take over the Chair from us on 1 January 2020. From my own experience almost 6 months in, holding the OSCE Chairmanship is challenging, but at the same time it is politically rewarding and offers a real chance to demonstrate political leadership in a multilateral organization. And it is an important opportunity for a country like Albania to showcase the progress it has made to the international community. But serious and concrete preparations, strong political support, and, of course, reliable partners are key ingredients for success. And I saw for myself that Albania is getting ready for this challenge.
Last but not least, I welcome Albania’s constructive role in enhancing regional stability through dialogue. You can see concrete and positive results in its relations with its neighbours over the last years. This does not go unnoticed on the international stage.
What was your view on the recent political crisis in Albania, and is it an indicator that democracy in Albania is still fragile?
Democracy in Albania is slowly maturing – similar to others in the region. Therefore, it is normal that Albanian society is confronted with challenges specific to young democracies. It does not mean that the country’s democracy as such is fragile. But as for every young democratic society, more work needs to be done on strengthening its institutions with an effective parliament at their core. Those are not just cornerstones of democracy but also essential for political stability and rule of law.
And we in Slovakia have the firsthand experience to know that it takes time to consolidate change and it can be very painful at times. But if you are committed to a comprehensive reform agenda and a long-term vision, you are already half-way there.
To me, political progress is the only option, there can be no way back to disarray and conflict.
In the specific case of Albania, I have to praise the role of institutions, including in their observance of the Constitution and rules of procedure, when dealing with the current political impasse. It is impressive to see how democratic institutions continue to function in your country, particularly the Assembly. This is testimony to the resilience of democracy in Albania, not fragility. Now we need to focus on keeping it going.
What is your advice to the Albanian leaders in order to help resolving the new crises?
My advice is simple: dialogue, dialogue, dialogue. The only way to achieve progress and find solutions to this impasse is through constructive dialogue with all relevant stakeholders, including all parties, civil society and academia to overcome differences and work together in Albania’s best interest.
And I have to add that the escalation of violence during several opposition-led protests is very worrying and has to stop immediately. Riots are not a substitute for democratic political engagement. They cut off any chance of dialogue – and therefore any chance of finding common ground.
While it is important to hear critical voices and peaceful protests are a fundamental right of our citizens, the continuation of violent ones are criminal acts and would damage Albania’s reform efforts and inevitably hamper its domestic and foreign strategic priorities.
In your opinion, how much is Albania’s democracy being damaged by the fact that the opposition parties have renounced their parliamentary seats, and will not run on the local elections of June 30th?
The decision of members of the opposition to renounce their mandates is deeply regrettable. Democracy requires checks and balances, and a functioning opposition has a key role to play – in parliament, not outside it. By renouncing their mandates, the opposition is undermining the gains of democracy in Albania. And let me stress, in a democratic society, participation in democratic elections and institutions is the only legitimate path to political power.
And you should also think about the damage to the image of Albania in the international community. You want to be perceived as a healthy and advancing democracy with a strong and articulate opposition within parliament. What we see right now is quite the opposite. It undermines Albania’s credibility internationally and endangers the possibility of further integration. These kind of obstructive political tactics are taking the country back to the 1990s and serve no one except the political interests of those who practice them.
But I am hopeful that the elections will happen according to schedule and be conducted to a high standard that satisfies the ODIHR Election Observation Mission.
With the opposition not running in the local elections, and promising that “there will be no elections without the opposition”, would it help if the elections are postponed to a later date, in accordance with the Albanian Constitution?
The election date has been decreed by the President of the country. Whether or not the elections will be postponed is an internal Albanian decision.
All signs show that Rama’s government and Basha’s opposition aren’t ready to sit and dialogue any time soon. Would you be ready to offer intermediation for this dialogue to take place?
I think the country is capable of solving its own domestic challenges internally, through dialogue and without foreign help or interference. As always, the OSCE stands ready – as a supporter and a friend – to work with national actors according to their priorities.
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