Rama: The Netherlands cannot undermine our hopes

The Netherlands cannot undermine our expectations, says in an interview for the Dutch media group, NRC Handelsblad, also known as Noc.nl, Prime Minister Edi Rama.

“Finally we have the instrument to profoundly change our society”, Rama points out.

According to him, the story was written last week, when the European Commission opened the doors to the poor Balkan country. Brussels wants to start membership negotiations with Albania, the ATSH writes.

At a separate EU meeting for Western Balkan countries to take place in May, European leaders are expected to expand this plan.

EU integration is important for building democracy in Albania, where civil servants will serve the people rather than the opposite.

Rama, tall, extravagant politician with a painter's profession, is known for his determination. But he realizes that there is a long way ahead.

Albania must criminalise corruption, according to Rutte's government. Only then will we talk about more. Do you understand?

At the same time, the Netherlands says our future is in the EU. In other words: We're getting married. As engaged, we should at least talk to each other. We're just knocking on the EU door. We're not in yet.”

Your country has been poorly assessed by international corruption barometers for decades. True?

We still have a lot to do, but remember where we come from, centuries under Ottoman rule, then chaos and royal family, then fascism, and then a murderous communist dictatorship. Other Eastern European countries that are EU members have had democracy in a distant past. Albania has not had such an experience. But now we have hope”.

Unless places like Holland do not interfere.

The Netherlands cannot undermine our hope. And if Albania ever gets in, Rutte and I will no longer be prime ministers and we will be out of this picture for a long time”.

How's the fight against corruption going?

“in the judiciary system, 21 public officials, high-level judges and prosecutors were removed from the system in a short time because no reasonable explanations were presented for their enormous wealth. The same will apply to the police service. We have given international observers, including a Dutch expert, a constitutional mandate to participate in this operation. We've taken this war very seriously”

Albanians, in Albania and in neighbouring Kosovo have to settle disputes with Serbs. You yourselves added fuel to the fire, speculating of a major union between Albania and Kosovo.

This, obviously, is not what I want. In interviews I just warned of such scenarios. If our path to the EU is interrupted, then strange things can happen. Alternatives are dangerous”.

European Commission President Juncker says: “We must include the Balkans, because we don't want to go to war again”.

“Peace and prosperity in the Balkans are also important for the safety of the Dutch. The EU must find strategic solutions for the Balkans. We are saying that Balkan countries co-operate politically and economically. This is unique in view of the violence of past wars. That's self-aware. The EU should enjoy this dynamic”.

How big is the risk that the signal launching negotiations will not be given and young people will remain disappointed by the EU?

“in Slavic countries like Serbia and Macedonia is more sensitive. There's an alternative: Russia. Russian propaganda v. - The EU has an effect there. Not in Albania. We are the most European people on the continent. I can't imagine this thing can't go on”.

“Alternatives are dangerous”, you say. Is there a plan B? Return of the Albanian royal family?

The crown prince, Leka II, of the Zogu dynasty is located in his former parliament in Tirana. A return of them? I can tell you that there is a difference between the Balkan kingdoms and your kingdom. Our princes want more weapons than tulips”.