Gabriel Partosh, analyst at the “Economist Intelligence Unit” in London;
Bern Fisher, Historian and Eriona Canaj, Tirana Europea University
expert for asylum in Schengen areas, spoke on Top Channel about the
recent immigration masses in the EU, saying that it is not the first
time this happens.
“It is being perceived negatively, like related to an insufficient economic growth, like many would like to portray it. I want to give it a wider view. Albania is not an EU member country that can export jobs. The former communist countries of Eastern Europe, now EU members, valued as countries with a stabilized democracy and healthy economy, have thousands of their citizens emigrating to England and Germany. I would call this a normal phenomenon, because people move to where there are jobs, higher living standards and bigger opportunities. There is nothing unusual here, but in Albania, after the developments in the 90s, we have seen a horrible wave of people crossing the Adriatic. Today, this is seen in a negative light, but I want to underline that it is normal and it will continue for as long people feel free to move. Albania is one of those countries with no visa regie, which makes it easier. Finding a job in the west is easier today than years ago”, Partosh declared.
Historian Bern Fisher says that the movement is related to an economic problematic which has originated in the past.
“Certainly, this is something concerning. I have seen the numbers in the past, which suggest that immigration has existed during a long period. These figures have increased recently. I see it as the government’s incapability to create an economic system where people can ave a normal life. From what I can understand, since I have made a concrete research in the past days to understand who are these people that are leaving. I have learned they come from areas with smaller development advantages, who have maybe been ignored by the central authorities in Tirana for many years. As result, this encourages them to give up in front of this reality and look for a better life elsewhere. It is a pity and I hope this will push the government and the opposition to work together and create a healthy economy”, Fisher declared.
Eriola Canaj, professor at the TEU, thnks that this is a massive flux, but not an exode.
“Figures are concerning, because hundreds and even more than 1000 people have been returned from border checkpoints. This is concerning for the period of time in which these numbers have been created if compared to previous years. This is not for asylum. We are having economic immigrants who want a better life, not because they are going due to discrimination”, Canaj declared.
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