“Prove that dialogue continues”

TCH: Mr.Kukan, how important is a joint declaration with recommendations after the seventh Committee in Strasbourg?

Eduard Kukan: It is very important for the country, because everybody knows that these kinds of inter-parliamentary meetings, in the format where Albania is now, is a signal that there is a political willingness of the parties to reach some kind of compromise, which is a prove that the discussion with the European counterparts brought some results on which they all agree. Albania right now is in the time between the December Council and the June Council. In the December Council Albania did not receive the candidate country status, and the reason was that Albania needed a track record of the reforms which were implemented in Albania, and the new positive internal political situation which was reached there, that the political parties started cooperating, so, any kind of prove that this is true, that this kind of development is sustainable, it would count a lot during the June Council meeting, when all this process will be evaluated. To achieve this agreement now it is even more important, because here in the European institutions we are getting some varying news that there might be a boycott of parliament, no participation of some opposition members of the parliament and so on. For this kind of official meeting it would be very good for the country if there is a concluding document that would prove that the dialogue is going on.

TCH: What happens, if not? It wouldn’t be the first time that Albanians do not agree  on the approval of a final document.

Eduard Kukan: Yes, it happened a couple of years ago, but now it is more important. Albania is waiting again for the candidate country status, so I would say that the development brought Albania a little bit forward. If it doesn’t happen, the world is not going to end, but the chances of Albania getting a positive assessment from the European Union will be in danger.

TCH: As the only EMP who followed the three hour debate for the final conclusions, how do you evaluate the issues mentioned by the parties? Do you think their review in Tirana will have a result?

Eduard Kukan: There is one thing which encourages me. It is the fact that despite all those very difficult issues and very different contradicting opinions, the talks didn’t break down. It is a positive sign. They didn’t say that there is no sense and let’s finish it, and that there is no agreement. In that sense, there is still the willingness to discuss. There is still the readiness to meet again in Albania. I take it that there is a willingness to talk, to discuss. This is a very difficult issue. That, for me, is positive. But it will be definitely positive when we see them agreeing on something, that they reached the compromise. In the past we have finished the meeting saying that there is no agreement. Now they don’t want to say that, they are still trying to get that agreement. That is a change for the better.

TCH: What if there will be an agreement from Tirana, will it be considered as approved by you? How does the procedure continue?

Eduard Kukan: If there is an agreement from our Albanian colleagues, we will be informed about it and I will distribute it to the other members of the European Parliament delegation. I am sure that it would be approved in the words that have been agreed by the Albanian parties. But it requires the approval of the European Parliament, and that can be done by distributing the text in writing. There is such an administrative procedure.

TCH: In this case, do you think that the status will be given in June?

Eduard Kukan: I can only say that I would like to hope. But let’s be realistic. If Albania gets the candidate country status in the June council, that would be a small miracle.

Prepared by: Arta Tozaj

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