“Results needed for the judiciary”

Eduard Kukan, who has led the Delegation for Balkan at the European Parliament, says in an interview for Top Channel that the new composition of the European Parliament will make more room for the voices against enlargement, that’s why he says that stability and dialogue between parties is required.

Interview:

TCH: Mr.Kukan, although the joint declaration was not made possible in the Committee with Albania, as you declared by the end of your mandate, the European Council approved the candidate status. What challenges are there for the real accession?

Kukan: There is still much to do, but the most important thing is that Albania received the candidate status. As we all know, there were some member countries that were hesitating before the meeting with the Council. I am happy that Albania finally received the candidate status, because I think that it deserves it and it will have a positive influence for encouraging the European ambition of Albania. However, it was important for Albania to receive the candidate status, and now it is necessary to show to all member countries that they did the right thing. This means that the reforms must continue, and it is important for Albania to give results in the judiciary, the administrative reform, the fight against corruption and the organized crime. These would be really strong evidence. For this, it would be necessary to continue the constructive dialogue between the political parties with objectivity. Without this, I doubt that the country would progress in this approach, because we all remember, including us at the European Union, that this was the reason why Albania had to wait so long for the candidate status, due to the lack of a normal political dialogue. For progress, it would be necessary to continue with this and show that it is stable, and it is not only about some positive signals, but for this to really work in Albania. Without this it would be difficult, because the candidate status for Albania was unclear until the last days, which means that Albania will be watched closely by the member countries who want to see that the progress is reviving the political atmosphere in Albania and that this is stable and continuing. Due to the political conditions, the situation is more demanding for Albania.

TCH: Keeping in mind that the new legislature will have no delegation for the entire Balkan. How will the European Parliament leadership affect the delegation for Albania?

Kukan: There is really a different structure of the delegations, and this will make possible a more detailed focus on Albania, because Albania used to be one of the five countries that the delegation covered. Now it will have its own delegation, with special meetings and with more detailed discussions about the developments in the country. I would advise the colleagues in Tirana to use this chance for proving that the situation has changed and that it is constructive, and that this delegation will be a better space for transmitting these messages through them. I am convinced that regardless of the composition of the delegation, it will be for the better for Albania. There are European MPs who have been even more supportive for the enlargement process, but the composure of this Parliament is different from the previous one. I am certain that the voices of those who speak against enlargement will be heard more frequently. You should not be discouraged from this, but this is the reality. If you are doing your job, that will make them silent. But it is important to be prepared for this. The traditional political groups are aware and want to cooperate closely and preserve this course in the possible enlargement process of the EU in the future. But let’s face reality as it is.

Prepared by: Arta Tozaj

Top Channel