Sequi: Immunity is not enough

Sequi complimented the Albanian political class for the efforts made after the agreement of November 2011 in the integration processes, but he declared that there is still too much work to be done. Sequi declared that the immunity removal is only one side of the medal. The other side, according to the EU diplomat, is fighting the corruption culture.

Top Channel: Some Progress Reports of the European Commission underline the concern of not punishing high rank officials for corruptive affairs and power abuses.

TCH – Mr.Ambassador, what is your evaluation for the work that has been made so far regarding the 12 priorities that Albania must fulfill for receiving the EU candidate status?

Sequi – As you know, the progress report will be published on October and we are working for this. If we compare the current situation with what we had on November 2011, I can say that there has been progress. The majority and the opposition must be congratulated for this, because they have shown political will and determination. But this is not enough. Besides the electoral reform, other cases need to be addressed to, such as the Parliamentary Reform, war against corruption, immunity, etc.

TCH: The electoral reform will be voted this week in Parliament, but the Parliamentary Reform is still incomplete, while the immunity issue doesn’t seem to have an easy solution. If these issues will not be resolved, is it safe to say that Albania will have zero chances to receive the EU candidate status?

Sequi – I prefer to see the future based on the achievements. And when I talk about achievements, I refer to the recent ones, such as the electoral reform, which was a complicated issue, but for which the majority and the opposition showed political will and determination. It is difficult to speak about the percentage of chances, but I think that this political will keeps being there, the chances will increase.

TCH – The opposition says that they have done what they were asked to for the political priorities from 1 to 4. Has the opposition done its homework for completing these criteria? And what about the government?

Sequi – Thank you for the question, which is really interesting. I wish to see the integration priorities being fulfilled as a main and continuing process. As for what has been achieved so far, I would say that both parties are to be congratulated, since they have found compromise often, when it was difficult to be realized. Naturally, there has been progress, but the government and the opposition are in different positions, since one party is in power and the other in opposition. The merits should go to everyone.

TCH – Some progress reports of the European Commission underline the concern for impunity of high rank officials for corruption and power abuse cases. Will the lifting of immunity be enough for the war against corruption?

Ambassador Sequi: The immunity lifting is an important step, but clearly it will never be enough. War against corruption must be all inclusive, and it is a process in its own. Every brick that is added on the wall is very important. You know that this is one of my favorite expressions, that one brick after another and there will be a wall. We must build war against corruption and most importantly, war against the corruption culture in all ways. Lifting immunity is one of the bricks in the wall. We are following closely all the propositions. Our experts, with projects financed by the EU, Euralius and PACA, and also the US projects from OPDAT, including the OSCE, are working for evaluating what these propositions can bring.

TCH – Your office is working with the creation of the integration club. What does this project involve and what are you aiming to achieve?

Sequi – I am a partisan of the concept that everything is up to the Albanians. The role of the international community is very important with the help, the encouragement and the views. But the Albanian intellectuals are the powerful motor of the efforts that are being made in the road towards Europe. These efforts have been described eloquently by Commissioner Fule as a transformation power; hence I think that we must encourage the Albanian citizens and intellectuals, including the civil society, to increase the perception of importance that integration takes for Albania, together with what I would call co-ownership of this process by the Albanians. This club will be called the EU club.

TCH – It is clear that the Albanian politicians are acting on interests and agendas that have nothing to do with the citizens. Some weeks ago, ambassador Arvizu launched the “Act now” initiative. How do you see this initiative and what do you expect from the people?

Sequi – The initiative launched by ambassador Arvizu is a very good one, and I have supported it from the beginning. I think that our initiative is completive, because it has a very clear focus: the path towards the EU, based on same principles. As you know, one of the sentences that I have used recently is “we must move”, which is an expression that goes on the same line with “Act Now”. The role of the citizens, the intellectuals and the civil society is decisive in these aspects. Ambassadors don’t vote. People vote. For this reason, the Albanian ownership on the transforming processes will serve for pushing the politicians towards the right direction.

TCH – Do you think that the Albanians are pessimistic towards integration or the desire to be part of the European family?

Sequi – I believe that the Albanian people are extremely motivated to go towards Europe. I have asked a study, the results of which are interesting and show that more than 85% of the Albanians, if there would be a referendum, would vote in favor of EU integration. The Albanian people know what in on their interest and I would encourage this feeling, hoping that the efforts for the European path will never cease. I want to use this word: “No rest, but integration”.

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