British Minister, in an exclusive interview with Sokol Balla. Great Britain was part of the European Union member countries that opposed Albania’s candidate status in December.
The British Minister for Europe, David Lidington, who visited Tirana these days, says in an interview for Top Channel that his country will support the European perspective and that London is optimistic that the candidate status will be given this June.
In an exclusive interview for Top Channel and with , Lidington says that Great Britain is encouraged by the good will of the Albanian government for reforms, especially in the judiciary, and expects the opposition to support it to.
Top Channel’s journalist Sokol Balla: Mr.Minister, thank your for being on Top Channel. You have visited Albania several times. What changes this time, from the other visits?
The British Minister for Europe, David Lidington: I think that from my last visit in Albania, now we have a different government, which naturally is a huge change. We have seen Albania with both governments, the previous and the current one, both progressing towards their mutual objective, which is the European Union. There have been some essential reforms, especially as regards the rule of law. It is important for these reforms to keep progressing.
Sokol Balla: What are the reasons that made Britain join a group of countries that held a harsher position against Albania?
David Lidington: Let’s return to December. I understand why people in Albania considered our decision very disappointing. I don’t want to say that there is no progress in Albania. Certainly that there have been significant changes. Our position in December was that the new government had been in power for only nine weeks, and was something that we didn’t know yet. It wasn’t only the Great Britain, as you said, but several other countries that held a position for wanting to get to know this government first, their determination to progress with the reforms. Our Prime Minister thinks that the issue is not if Albania will join the European Union or not, but it is simply a matter of time. This is our position in December, and it is the same even today. What I declared to your Ministers during my visit is related to the fact that it is on your own interest too to deepen the reforms, especially as regards the rule of law.
Sokol Balla: Polls in the UK show that UKIP is a party that in the European elections would have very strong positions in the European Parliament, if elections would be held today. Maybe second to the Labour Party. How much do these events affect the important decisions in Brussels, such as that for Albania in June?
David Lidington: I never knew that UKIP was an important political force even in Germany. It was a group of countries that took that decision in December, because it was not the right time to give their consent about Albania’s status.
Sokol Balla: In Netherlands it was clear that the decision was taken due to the delicate situation and the balance in government, due to a right wing political force, which is extreme and against the European Union?
David Lidington: It was voted in the Dutch Parliament. Their Minister may have more to say about this than me. One of the messages that I have for our colleagues in Tirana, is to build an opinion in favor not only with the European governments, but also with the Parliaments of these countries. To continue enlargement after Croatia, we need to see be strict on the implementation of the rules on terrain, for this European trip. This is all that we want to see from the Albanian government. What I heard from The Albanian Prime Minister, Edi Rama, in his speech for the justice reform, his comments in Prizren and his plan for the historic visit in Belgrade, which will be a historic moment for the region and that sends messages for good neighboring, is part of the European Union admission and very encouraging signs.
Sokol Balla: Based on the contacts that you have had with the leaders of the new opposition from the center right, do you think that it will be easy to find consensus from the opposition for these important reforms, such as the one in justice?
David Lidington: I held a meeting with Mr.Basha. I had already met him in Londer. The conclusion of this dialogue was clear, that the Democratic Party remains determined for the European destination of Albania and the reforms that are necessary for this process. The Parliament Speaker, Ilir Meta, and the Prime Minister, Edi Rama, declared that all they want is consensus. I hope that they will find a path in reaching an agreement in public, beyond the political differences, but only for all issues that the country has, and especially for the European Union membership.
Sokol Balla: You said that there is some kind of vision for the reforms by the new government. Will this be enough in June for receiving a positive answer? And what are the chances for receiving a positive answer in June?
David Lidington: I’m not a man who bets. I don’t want to give coefficients, because this is a very important issue, so let’s not talk about bets. I hope that there will be an agreement in June. I cannot talk on behalf of the 28 governments, of what they might have to say after some months. Everything is based on the developments that will take place until then. What I can say is that a public and complete dedication of the Albanian political leaders for continuing the reforms especially in those that are related with the rule of law, or said plainly, for independent judges, an independent Prosecution, and strong measures against corruption. All these are welcome. Naturally, it will be a test. Most importantly, the promises must turn in to political actions.
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