Good news for Albanians from the EU

According to him, if the government and Parliament continue to do the job as they have done so far, there is no further argument against opening negotiations. Flickenstein claims that the issue é Tahiri) does not influence government heads of 2728 countries' decision on opening negotiations, while adding that Brussels is not the prosecutor and is unable to judge on specific issues.

Asked about Greece's veto potential, Flickenstein says Greece should not even think about it, as it would not be fair. As far as Russian influence in the Balkans is concerned, the rapporteur for Albania in the European Parliament states that the EU clearly enjoys having other players in the region like Russia, Turkey and even Saudi Arabia, as well as China. So we as the EU should see that we are the only actors.

Asked about the Democratic Party Chairman Lulzim Basha's request for the creation of an anti-mafia government, the rapporteur for Albania at the European Parliament considers this request a party game. By stopping at this request, Flickenstein said he could only talk about serious issues, giving a strong message to the opposition. Brussels' official also said drug trafficking is one of the most serious issues facing the country, while adding that the EU expects Albanian authorities to fight this phenomenon. He said there are still drug trafficking despite the right steps to fight.

-Mr. Knut Flickenstein, drug trafficking has turned into the main words of the opposition political battle in Albania. What is your attitude toward drugs?

I'm sure drug trafficking is one of the most serious issues facing the country, but we expect the government and state officials to do their best to reduce the phenomenon, not just for a certain issue, but in a substanial way.

- Do you think the opposition is right on its accusations against the government?

It's obvious that there's still drug trafficking despite seeing the right steps to fight it, at least some, now we have to continue these efforts, and I really hope this will happen as I think.

-How did the opposition leader comment on the anti-mafia government?

I don't comment on all these party games, I only talk about serious facts, how the opposition government calls it not up to me to comment.

- But what's your comment about the Tahiri case, I believe you're familiar with the former interior minister charged with involvement in narcotics trafficking?

Whether or not there is enough evidence for Parliament to lift immunity, I cannot speak about the documents handed down to the Parliament, but I hope parliament is doing what is needed. On the one hand to protect people who are accused without sufficient evidence, and on the other hand, Parliament must lift immunity if there is sufficient and serious evidence for its implications. So the prosecutor should do his job and that no one should be protected because he is a member of Parliament. I've heard that parliament has removed some of its immunity, I can't talk about details, but the main question is that the prosecutor does his job.

-With this climate and the political situation opening negotiations with Albania in 2018 is something easy or difficult?

No, it shouldn't be hard, if the European Union is reliable and I really hope the Commission is reliable then we should open negotiations in the first half of 2018, because the Albanian people deserve it and that the government and Parliament have done much for what was needed.

- Remaining on this topic, has implementation of Veting's law already begun in Albania, where the first files of prosecutors and judges are being considered? Is Veting enough to open negotiations?

Does that mean you now stop working in Albania? Of course not. Of course, we expect the government and Parliament to continue working, and if this happens there will be no arguments against the process of opening negotiations in the next six months of 2018.

- Do you think the Tahiri case poses a problem for this process?

I don't think so, if anyone does their job, it's okay. We are not prosecutors in Brussels. We are also unable to judge any particular issue, but the main thing is. Is the prosecution able to do its job? I think he's in a position.

- Albanian people expect opening negotiations next year, you said earlier, but let me insist is it certain it will happen next year?

The latest word always has the Council, which means the heads of governments of 2728 EU nations, but the European Parliament is quite clear. If you in Albania, Parliament and Government continue working as you have done before, there is no single argument for us not to open negotiations.

- What contribution can the opposition make to opening negotiations?

I think they can contribute. They have clearly said they are in favour of opening negotiations and we should not mix things up. It is the opposition's duty to be highly critical of the government, but it is not the opposition's duty to create a situation as if the whole country is in danger and I do not see the opposition doing so. I see that the opposition is doing its job and there is nothing where it can contribute more than integration. There are some reforms for which we expect and all sides should be prepared to compromise, but this does not belong only to the opposition, since it certainly belongs to the majority. Both sides should try to negotiate, and in my view that both sides are doing.

Are there EU countries that could prevent the opening of negotiations with Albania, for example, Greece that continues to pressure Albania on the maritime border agreement?

I really hope that Greece shouldn't even think about it, because it wouldn't be honest. And we're not talking about closing negotiations, but starting negotiations. These problems should be solved during this period, and that would be possible. I must remind you that even within the European Union there are countries like Croatia that have problems with Slovenia for the border. I don't mean that solving this problem is not necessary even should have been resolved before the start of negotiations. There is plenty of time to settle this issue.

- Prime Minister Edi Rama has confirmed a few months ago that if the EU follows to close the doors to enlargement, Albania can consider the possibility of joining Kosovo, what is your comment?

It is amazing that the EU is not considering closing enlargement, so the prime minister can focus on reforms and the benefits for the country and the people. There is no need to think of a theoretical future that will not happen.

- Nice answer, Mr. President. Mr. Flickenstein but Mr. Juncker, when he came to the helm of the European Commission, said he would stop the enlargement process by at least 2019? Should this approach change for Western Balkan countries?

This is a discussion of three years ago, you're right, in my view it was an unfriendly approach and even a little silly because everyone knew there was a lot to do about accession and that it couldn't be achieved for four or five years. But please on the one hand with Frederick Mogher and others we've always made very clear that this means that we should not continue on our common path. Second, President Juncker announced a strategy for Western Balkan countries that should not only include the two countries Serbia and Montenegro, but the entire region. We in the European Parliament with all sides will see to it that Albania is adequately and well treated in this strategy.

- The US has raised concerns about Russian influence in the Western Balkans? Does the EU worry about the Russian danger and no solution offer not to leave the region in Moscow's hands?

We see quite clearly that there are other players in the region like Russia, Turkey and even Saudi Arabia, as well as China. So we as the EU should see that we are the only actors. On the other hand, we must understand that we are not in a favourable context. If Western Balkan countries want to join the EU, two things must happen. Reforms must initially be carried out and no doubt about it. And on the other hand, we EU countries need to show more clearly and openly that we truly want all six countries in the region in our union. This is something we need to think about.

It is very important to support governments and parliaments through consultation to do their job so that these institutions have knowledge about what is happening in our countries. On the other hand, we have to show that we want the membership of these countries and that is why I favour another step, such as the involvement of Western Balkan countries in our community. This would be positive for young people and businesspeople, and it would show that it is not just bureaucratic instruments and a waste of time but something successful for peoples. For that reason, the EU should be more present than it is now.

-The last question, do you think there should be a date for membership throughout the region?

It would be very nice if we had a date, but the date could be determined by the parliaments and governments of countries in the region. When all reforms are carried out the date is there. There would be no sense to stress that at the end of 2022 enlargement, the process would take place when the Copenhagen criteria are met and until then we should be sensitive and helpful to these countries.

- Thank you. Flickenstein for the interview for Report TV.

Thank you and all the best for Albania.

Tahiri case

I don't think so, if anyone does their job. We are not prosecutors in Brussels. We are also unable to judge any particular issue, but the main thing is”. Is the prosecution able to do its job? I think he's in a state of”.

Negotiations

It should not be difficult if the European Union is reliable and I really hope the Commission is reliable then we should open negotiations in the first half of 2018, because the Albanian people deserve it and that the government and Parliament have done much for what was needed”.

Anti-Mafie Government

“I don't comment on all these party games, I talk only about serious facts, how the opposition government calls it not up to me to comment”.

Message for Greece

I really hope that Greece shouldn't even think about it, because it wouldn't be honest. And we're not talking about closing negotiations, but starting negotiations. These problems must be solved during this period, and this would be possible”.

EP '%okı for Albania, Council of Ministers decision in hand

The European Union's Council of Ministers decided at the end of last year not to have a progress report for the candidate countries started in 2017 and by the fact that it would be an electoral year for many European countries. This decision blocked decision-making for Albania as well. However, EU countries had left an open window if candidates realised their agendas. For Albania, reform in justice and free and fair elections were key. The elections were considered a successful test, while the EU called for implementation. More specifically, the creation of a history of investigations, arrests and penalties for large fish of crime and corruption in Albania. In addition, Brussels also turned its attention to hashish. The EU wants to reduce this phenomenon. But the problem with Greece is also emerging on the horizon.

The latter has warned of the possibility of blocking negotiations after the collapse of residences in Himara, not resolving the sea issue and some other lingering issues. However, the European Parliament has recommended to the Council of Ministers of EU Countries opening negotiations for Albania since November 2016. “Albania has made remarkable progress, and the EC recommends opening negotiations with Albania. But reforms in justice remain, or Vettingu, or known as the law for the assessment of prosecutors and judges”, says the European Parliament report. The decision-making is already in the hands of the Council of Ministers. /Albanian. com