Edi Rama: I won't grow old in politics like Sali Berisha and freak out children

Edi Rama opened his second personal exhibition in Berlin within a short time in Germany. During his private visit, Rama had no meeting with official representatives.

Deutsche Welle: Kosovo artist Petrit Halilaj when he entered the exhibition said: It's like entering a mental space, in Edith's head. True?

I was so glad Petrit came. He's a superstar, he's a great guy and it was really fun that he was here and expressed his positive considerations for this exhibition.

Edi Rama: You paint water on political documents, is there any connection between the content of the letters and what you paint?

Politics here has nothing to do with it. I just draw, I draw, I draw during the meetings, I draw during the calls, during the pauses, and it's a perfectly natural process, where the hand follows one eye and one eye follows the hand, while the attention is all focused on discussions, on work, on decisions to be taken, on issues to address.

So you haven't seen any co-dependence, any changes, suppose, between painting on a letter you made for Chancellor Angela Merkel and a letter to President Ilir Meta?

No, I haven't seen that.

In an interview with the German press, you had said that you entered politics in the early 1990s because of a civic obligation, that being an artist did not relieve you of this responsibility. Now you're a politician and you're still doing art. It's a conscious decision, taken by intuition, or a “exit” strategy.

It's organic. It's like the air you breathe. Actually, it doesn't bother me, but it helps. Because in the meantime, my work continues normally, and this rest of it continues normally.

When you come to Germany, the media label you as Chancellor Merkel's sympathies. Are you somewhat disappointed by its policy towards the Balkans?

I absolutely have no reason to be disappointed. She is a true friend of people throughout our region, a visionary and extremely clear leader for the future. Above all, it's a fantastic example of leadership and a determined torching of our idea.

I ask, because the impression has been made that recently you are getting closer to the United States of America, which is actually putting a lot of pressure on the Kosovo issue.

The United States of America has been engaged and supportive of Kosovo since one day, and without the United States of America, Kosovo would not have been free of Belgrade's grip and could not have been the independent state that is today. Thus, the United States of America has been a steadfast supporter of democracy development in Albania since the day, and since one Albania has been clearly expressed for strategic partnership with the United States, regardless of who was in government, left and right.

What exactly do you expect from the German government in the coming months?

I expect nothing special, because the German government has always done the right things in the world and in the region. It is a very serious government of a very serious country of a truly friendly state that has been extremely present in Albania amid support programmes and which invest enormously much for the democratisation of the region and for the European integration of the region, including Albania.

Germany opposes changing borders as a solution between Serbia and Kosovo. One argument is that this solution to Serbia-Kosovo dialogue would delay the region's entry into the EU. Do you agree with this argument?

In my view, there is a necessary process of dialogue, which must be finalised and certainly must be finalised in a historic agreement between Serbia and Kosovo. As far as we are concerned, we support any agreement that has without equivocal support from the United States and the EU. That's it. The rest are then “dorks hin”, as Father Gjergj Fista said.

An agreement reached in the Balkans was Prespa's, which was crowned Friday with the vote the Greek Parliament gave him. How do you see the future of Albanians within northern Macedonia?

I believe it was an absolutely important historical step. A long period of deadlock, conflict, obstacles, but even a courageous leadership has taken place to realise an agreement that eventually frees a major stalemate in the region and opens up prospects for all peoples involved in this process, whether Macedonians or Albanians.

An internal policy question. The opposition has joined and has warned protests to oust you from power. Do these threats frighten you?

I never talk about domestic politics when I'm abroad.

Where do you see yourself in the future, when you are no longer the prime minister of Albania? As an artist or as an international mediator?

I don't see a cup. The beauty of this life is never planned. It can only dream. As for the way I dream about it, it's too intimate to share it with you. But I guess I won't get too old, like some people who can't get away from politics and that kids insist on being part, while they could do something much more noble in the last active life.

*) The window of the carlier gebauer gallery was wearing paper-wall, where his previous paintings were printed. Characteristic for Rama's paintings is that he paints documents and letters he usually uses in everyday life. With a similar letter he has also worn his office in Tirana. A letter in English to German Chancellor Angela Merkel is also on display at the Berlin exhibition, as well as a letter to Albanian President Ilir Meta for the appointment of interior minister.
The exhibition, titled “Works”, remains open at the carlier gebauer gallery in Berlin until March 9th, 2019.