I ask EC to start membership negotiations with Albania

Rapporteur for Albania at the European Parliament Knut Fleksenstein says Albania passed the election test despite irregularities in the election process.

In an exclusive interview for AB C# source files NEWS, he says he has called on the European Commission to open negotiations for Albania's membership.

Question: European Union institutions have considered Albania's general elections a test for the country's democratic maturity. Was this test successfully passed?

Despite the irregularities there have been in the process, also presented in the OSCE report, I would say that in general terms, Albania passed the election test, as the process was calm and accepted by all sides. So the test passed, but there is room for further improvement.

Question: You've been tough on punishing the phenomenon of vote trading during local elections. Are you worried about trading the vote again very present in the June 25th election?

I have heard this and I know there is already stronger law in Albania condemning the sale of the vote. I don't have proof of vote sales, but if there's evidence for that, they should be presented to the Court. To me, buying a vote is a matter of honour. Those who buy the vote and sell it have no honor and destroy their country. And if this goes on, then goodbye. This is a matter of society, and civil society must especially work against these phenomena until they are reduced and punished by all.

Question: Now that Brussels considers the election test passed, do you think conditions for opening membership negotiations have been met? Commissioner Hahn has recently indicated that besides elections and enforcement of the Vetting law, concrete results of the fight against drug trafficking will be seen. Do you share his opinion, or do you have to step out now?

No, I disagree with Commissioner Hahn, that we have said there are two points to be met for opening negotiations. Elections and the beginning of the Vetting Process. We have to stick to this and open negotiations as soon as possible. Other criteria should certainly be discussed, but this can be done during negotiations. I ask the European Commission and the Council of Ministers to open membership negotiations with Albania. We have much to do, but I think Albania deserves the opening of membership negotiations.

Question: You have become the lawyer for opening negotiations for a long time in the interest of the country and citizens. Do you think it's feasible this year or early next year? Commissioner Hahn made it clear that it doesn't change much if it's a matter of months.

If the commissioner saw what Balkan citizens think of our position, he would not say that. We have been clear about conditioning before the opening of negotiations. Now we must keep our word. It's not about closing negotiations, it's about opening them. The Commission and member states must prove reliable and open negotiations now.