22 July 2018

Full press conference:

 

Minister Bushati:

Welcome to Albania Minister Roth, dear Michael. It was a special pleasure to have you again in Albania given the fact that your visit in May was mainly focused on our expectations regarding the conclusions of the Council of Ministers of the European Union regarding the recommendation of the European Commission to start accession talks. Whereas now the focus of this visit and of our conversation was on the path that member states have drawn for Albania in the process of accession talks.

In this context, I would like to thank you personally, the German Government, the German institutions for the generous support you have given to Albania, not only in the difficult process of the reforms we are undertaking, which have a direct link and impact to/on the progress of the country towards European Union membership, but mainly also for the fiery discussions as I would call them, which took place in Luxembourg, where your country and you were part of that large majority of EU member states that supported the immediate launch of the accession talks with Albania.

Secondly, I was able to inform my friend Roth about the latest developments. As you know, last week Commissioner for Enlargement Hahn, together with the Albanian government, took the first step in the screening process. I would like to avail myself of this opportunity to once again underline the great importance of this process, that although apparently looks like a technical process in which we will have to make the inventory of laws and institutional conducts in accordance with norms of acquis communautaire or the norms of the European Union; actually, we consider it of political importance because through this exercise, the sphere of influence of the European Union will penetrate the heart of the way Albanian institutions operate and thus we will have a clear view of what is European and what is national in this process.

Thirdly, I believe we share the view that the year ahead of us is a challenging year both for the European Union and for us. The way ahead is not easy, the more we take steps towards EU membership, the more difficult the process becomes. We have a clear picture of the challenges and difficulties that lie ahead of us. Internally, we need to continue consolidating the reform process mainly in areas that are critical to the rule of law, in the economy, the fight against organized crime, the fight against corruption, the deepening and consolidation of the vetting process and the setting-up of new judiciary institutions. These are not battles that can be won within a month or a year, but it is very important that our trajectory remains only positive. It is very important that after three months, six months, one year, two years or three years when our citizens are asked about the quality of life and the provision of services, there is a fair balance between the reforms we have undertaken, how much we are approaching the European Union and the improvement of the quality of life.

Another point of our discussion was the possibility to involve more the civil society, young people who are in fact the main beneficiaries of the business transformation process to have a critical voice in the reform process; in addition to the need to improve the political climate between us as the ruling majority and the parliamentary opposition, mainly in reforms that are not related to party programs or ideological divisions but reforms related to European statehood. In this context, I had the opportunity to inform my friend Michael Roth about some projects that are currently at the Albanian parliament, being them projects that address the OSCE/ODIHR’s recommendations for a healthier electoral process, or projects for further implementation of justice reform, to enable first and foremost the School of Magistrates to function optimally, but on the other hand to give Albania the Constitutional Court and the High Court that the 21st century Albania deserves.

Last but not least, we were able to exchange views on the situation in the region, with a focus on developments in Skopje. We really appreciate our partnership with Germany. I have said it several times and I will not stop repeating that Germany is a strict critic and honest partner. It is the country that has invested heavily in the region and Albania, both in the political and economic spectrum but above all in the human spectrum. It sufices to see the investment in human capacities, that were made possible thanks to the cooperation and with the help of German expertise, for you to understand the difference in quality with other similar projects. And in this regard, I received the guarantee that Germany, Michael, the German government, the German Bundestag will continue to be present in Albania and the region.

Thank you once again.

 

Ministri Roth:

Dear Colleague Bushati,

Dear Ditmir,

Dear ladies and gentlemen,

In fact, I have come here today to express once again my great appreciation regarding the hospitality of my colleague, Mr. Bushati and the hospitality of all the friends I have found here. I have also come to congratulate Albania for its successes. Albania is making good progress on its path towards the EU. Albania has received for the first time a positive recommendation from the EU Council for launching accession talks. If everything continues this way, I am convinced that next year this will be the very reality and this will become a reality.

I am also convinced that Albania will continue its reform course. First of all, it has to do with establishing and building a strong and solid rule of law, the establishment of an independent justice system, as well as the fight against organized crime and corruption. With the so-called vetting process, Albania is on a road second to none in the whole region and I think so far it has shown that this process has been successful. The fact a considerable number judges and prosecutors were detached from the system means they have realized that the government is serious in its efforts of creating an independent justice system. But these reforms will have to be followed consistently and firmly. Some of these elements were also mentioned by Minister Bushati in his speech, so we need to be determined on the path of reforms.

If through a fair and transparent but at the same time strict process, at some point we will have to fire certain judges or prosecutors, then we will need at a later stage to have new judges or prosecutors who with the expertise would have to fill these gaps, because a non-functional justice system would affect other important areas of life in the country. It is exactely this process, both very important and difficult for Albania, which requires on the one hand a high level of consciousness and awareness on the part of the government; and as much consciousness and awareness is required on the part of the opposition. Therefore, I avail myself of this opportunity to appeal to all responsible persons, all responsible politicians of Albania, to take their responsibilities in such a way as not to endanger Albania’s path towards the EU.

I personally have been part of the German Bundestag for over 20 years and as a member of the German Federal Government for 4 years and a half, I know very well how important political debate is for a more vibrant democracy in the country. On the other hand, we would need a basic consensus on issues pertaining to the constitution, the elections, and the path towards the EU in particular because many things are at stake at present. It is about the economic, political and social stability of the Balkans, and this stability is very important for Albania as well. Reconciliation and peace have played an important role in this region and are equally important in the integration process.

Given the current international conflicts, it is very important that we as a European continent, both the EU countries and the Western Balkans, stay together in order to to ensure the stability of this continent. For this reason, the EU, the Federal Government continues to stick to its word that the stability of the South East European region is linked to a concrete and realistic perspective of EU integration of the Western Balkan countries.

During our conversation with my colleague Bushati, I made it clear that we will continue to give our support in this direction not only with words but with concrete actions, so that the reforms that are still ongoing can be implemented as soon as possible and the next few months until June next year will be decisive. I also expressed my gratitude to the EU Commission for launching the so-called screening process in order to argue and document as objectively as possible all those reform steps that are expected from Albania in the coming months.

At the same time, I would like to express my appreciation regarding the stance of my colleague Ditmir Bushati and all the Albanian government in their willingness to involve civil society in this important process for Albania. Certainly, during my conversations I had the opportunity to find out their willingness to involve civil society. We need young people to get involved in these processes and to be able to contribute to this process with their success. For me, this has been a very positive day since I had the opportunity to see how seriously the Albanian Government is in taking the necessary reform steps. Our colleagues in Athens can testify what can be achieved from these efforts. Reconciliation is completely possible, constructive debate is entirely possible if all politicians courageously accomplish their homework. I would like for everyone to be optimistic and up to our responsibilities towards our citizens, because all they eventually want is democracy, security, jobs and a better prospect for children and their families. And in this context, I would say that the EU and prospect of EU membership would be the best security.

Questions from journalists

Journalist: I have two questions, one for Minister Roth and one for Mr. Bushati. I am Ani Ruci and I work for DW in Tirana.

For Minister Roth:

One of the conditions for Albania next year for the opening of negotiations is to close the new path of emigrants from the Middle East and North Africa so they will not be able to go through Albania to the European Union countries. How can Germany support Albania in fulfilling this condition? Why was this condition not mentioned in the package of conditions during this press conference? President of the European Council, Mr Tusk has mentioned it as one of the conditions that Albania must fulfill. Thank you!

Minister Roth: I am very grateful for the questions you asked me as it gives me the possibility to unequivocally explain Germany’s stance on this issue. In fact, we have set to Albania no such condition of closing the borders for immigrants coming from North African countries or to open processing camps for these immigrants or refugees. There is absolutely no direct link to between this problem and the integration issues. We are certainly interested, all European parties, to find a common solution regarding the issue of asylum seekers or immigrants. On the basis for finding these solutions should be the values ​​that unite us, those of solidarity and humanity. In this context, Albania and Macedonia are certainly welcome to contribute. Again, I would like to emphasize that there is no connection between the integration issues and this problem. I do not believe you will find this in the conclusions of the Council on General Affairs.

Journalist: Mr. Roth mentioned the importance of peace and a region without conflicts and a comprehensive stability. Albania is negotiating with Greece to resolve its divergences and disputes, and this is one of the issues, part of the obligations that must be met in the coming year, to enable the opening of negotiations in 2019. How are the negotiations going, Mr. Bushati, and do both parties have a consensus on the sea agreement? Both parties say the negotiations are progressing but the agreement is not yet concretized. Thank you!

Minister Bushati: Firstly, I would like to thank you for the clarification you made to the local public regarding the contribution of each Western Balkan country in coping with the illegal migration phenomena, which originates from conflicts and extreme poverty in the Middle East. I have personally accompanied the Prime Minister at the meeting with President Tusk. It has not been part of the discussion but at the press conference, President Tusk mentioned it as one of the challenges that societies in the Western Balkans countries face. Not wanting to comment on how this was reflected in the Albanian media, I hope that today you received an exhaustive response from a representative of the German Government and a representative of the Albanian Government.

Regarding the second question, we are engaged in intensive dialogue with Greece. Time is important in international relations, in some cases it is also critical. We have taken substantive steps for some issues that were considered taboo years ago. We are discussing either for the delimitation of maritime zones, as well as for issues related to the land border, border pyramids and border incidents management. But on the other hand, unfortunately, we see clearly every day there is an obviously orchestrated strategy to rather hold hostage than allow the Albanian-Greek relationship to release the eventual energy. We need to fully understand that, first, it was not easy at all to sit at the negotiating table on matters whose existence was denied. Secondly, at a negotiating table would never triumph the will of one party, but the principles of international law, the equality of parties involved in an already 10-year process of discussions on the delimitation of maritime zones conducted in various formats, with a much bigger intensity form 2014 and on.

Following the debate, but not only the media debate and political consultations on this issue, based on the Authorization issued by the President of the Republic and the Plenipotentiary which I issued for the whole negotiating team, I have noticed that in some cases there is uncertainty about what is required to be achieved. We believe we are on a good track to reach an agreement on all three issues I explained, whether on the sea or on the land borders, an agreement that would be viable, fair and far better than what we have seen in the past and starting also from the fact that we have learned some lessons from the mistakes of the past and despite the fact that those who made those mistakes in the past shout louder in any kind of media today for allegedly tearing Albanian lands apart, or the next betrayal to the Albanian nation, and so on.

I think that all political actors need to be more accountable to this file. I do not know if there is a well-defined strategy or it is a coincidence that both the opposition in Greece and the opposition in Albania seem to share the same stance on the issue, the fact that there is controversy in Greece for what we are doing with the Greek side, shows that we are on the right track.