Schultz: This government failed

Mr. Schultz, who will soon be the President of the European Parliament, declared that only a government that can come out of the new elections can bring the country in the integration path.

TCH: What were the reasons that made Albania fail with the candidate status, and how do you see the government stance when it blames the opposition’s boycott for this failure?

Martin Schultz, President of Socialist Group in the European Parliament: I think that the country needs democracy and a strong international affiliation, based on the EU values. We have criteria and with the government in office, Albania failed. But it is always easy for a government to say that it is the opposition which is responsible, but normally, in democracy, the opposition is not governing. The government is governing and the government has to take the responsibilities. Therefore, I hope that in the future, perhaps with a better government, Albania will fulfill the criteria.

TCH: Before the elections of 2009, you and Ilir Meta asked the left wing parties in Albania to come together for moving Berisha from power. Today, Ilir Meta’s party is keeping Berisha’s coalition on its feet. What relations do you have with Ilir Meta’s party now?

Schultz: I think that for open cases, all parties, but especially the government parties, must give the answers. There are many unclear things and I have no deeper knowledge for their background. I can see only the facts and what is reported to me by the news, which raises more questions rather than giving answers. I am not a judge. I cannot judge if someone is guilty or innocent. But from a Deputy Prime Minister, a party leader and especially a colleague with whom I cooperate for a long time, I expect everything to be clear. When everything is clear, there is democracy. If there are open questions, they must be answered. In my eyes, it is difficult to make an evaluation. But it is more than clear to me, and based on my experience: the government in office doesn’t have the majority of the people, and for this reason, the next elections will bring the country to a change.

TCH: What’s your opinion for the initiatives of the Socialist in justice and the 10 point plan about the EU integration?

Schultz: It has been impossible for me to evaluate the justice system and the judicial reforms. It is impossible. The only thing that I know is that the dialogue is the most important part. My impression is that the Socialist Party is prepared for this dialogue, but it is up to the governing parties to give an answer. I did what I could, personally, for making the parties talk together. But I am not Albanian, I am a foreign friend and the impression for the Socialist Party, although I haven’t always agreed with its leadership, is that after their returned in Parliament, the platform is there, ready for discussion, and it is up to the ruling parties to respond.

Prepared by: Arta Tozaj

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