We're very close to a maritime border agreement, which will be fair to both countries.

“Territorial preferences do not exist”

What is your assessment of bilateral relations Greece-Albania today?

The common people, in Albania and Greece, always manifest one another's warmth and hospitality. History has brought us together from ancient times, and there are many examples along it where one side has done good for the other. Albanians sheltered their neighbours, offering support to the unfortunate captives of the Greek-Italian war, and the Greeks did the same for us when we came out of the disastrous period of communist dictatorship.
Our people and nations have always sought out and deserved a fine relationship, but politics has not always reflected their desire. This is unfortunate and at certain times throughout history, it has made our relationships difficult or even dark.
As prime minister, I have been committed since the first day to build a strategic relationship between Greece and Albania based on mutual respect, trust and a desire to walk hand in hand towards a very good future for both our peoples. It wasn't easy. We've had our tensions and friction, but anyway, we've faced issues with sincerity on both sides.
Despite the fact that in this period we have not had higher-level contacts between our two governments, we have been able to develop a proper and clear understanding of concerns on both sides.
I believe that we now find ourselves in a favourable position to significantly improve our relationships by building them on this work done by both sides, to face the issues of the past, and to enable ourselves to move towards a better future for our people, for our nations and for our region.
I am convinced that all the hard work that we have undertaken can, in turn, produce its own fruit and make us proud.

The two countries are in negotiations to resolve different issues. As Prime Minister, you have smoothed the trigger. What exactly is required from Tirana?

From the Greek side, this issue is perceived as the appearance of a secret agenda on our part for creating “Greater Albania”. I want to be perfectly clear, as we are with our friends in Athens, that such a territorial claim simply does not exist. I cannot agree more with you than that, that no territorial issue between Greece and Albania can exist.
Sources that promote such a fantasy, which sometimes find room on the edge of our political scenes, threaten distorting the truth and minimizing the future.
So, everyone needs to understand clearly that as far as we're concerned in Albania “the enormous issue of” certainly exists, but only as the fundamental issue of the rights of our Albanian countrymen who once lived in your country. And nothing more.
I honestly don't believe that any wise man would be at odds with our attitude, that those people would enjoy the right to travel and visit Greece or that they or their children would have the opportunity to gain their right to wealth in legal ways, just as everyone European citizen naturally enjoys this right.
Can you imagine today, in 21st century Europe, that old men and women in Albania are forbidden to cross the border of neighbouring Greece because their roots are from a region of your country?
The same is true of the absurdity of maintaining the Law of War between Greece and Albania, a vivid ghost of the past that stands between us, whose legal consequences create unbearable obstacles to citizens I mentioned above, but also to many others.

How close are we to defining the maritime border between Greece and Albania?

I am very pleased that while we have agreed, to sit at the table together and discuss, with open hearts and minds, as do our people living as neighbours, both in Albania and Greece, not only can we resolve any differences and misunderstandings of the past, but we can also find the best solutions for our common future. And yes, we are close to an agreement on the maritime border, which will be fair to both Albania and Greece.

On Tuesday, the EU will begin discussions on its expansion towards Balkan countries. What do you want to hear from the EU?

Today, the EU needs the Balkans as much as the Balkans need the EU. Whoever does not believe that does not really understand the importance of the Balkans for peace and stability in Europe.
I want to hear from the European Council a clear strategy for joining the Balkans with the European Union, as part of a broader strategy for the future of the European Union. In a period of such important changes in the world, we need an EU with a strategy, with a leading role, dedicated to its vision and values, not guided by short-term tacticalities and short-term political decisions.
Albania has the right to a direct recommendation to open membership negotiations, and I expect nothing less from the European Commission as a start and from the Council a little later.

The Greek government is facing a solution to the FYROM name issue. What is your opinion on this subject?

It's time to settle this case, and there's always a way. Greece has been through difficult times because of a painful crisis, which had as a side effect to keep the only EU member state in our region far from developments and efforts in the region in recent years.
But thanks to the strong political desire to fight painful reforms and difficult measures, it seems that your country has found its way and is returning to regional policy. This is excellent news for all of us in the region.
The resolution of the name issue is in the interest of all and in the best interest of your country as well. A Macedonia (no matter what to call itself on the basis of the agreement) stable, democratic and prosperous is important for the future of its peoples, the region and Greece as well. I hope the strategic vision and determination to resolve this issue prevail, as short-term policy tactics cannot lead to a future in which both sides enjoy their freedoms and rights.

*Based on the front page of the newspaper Ta Nea 06.02.2018 - taken from the official profile of Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama.