Christopher Hill: Albania outstanding progress, disappointing EC decision

Former American Ambassador to Albania Christopher Hill declared today during the Southeast Europe Peace Summit, which is being held at the Palace of Congress facilities in Tirana that there will be no real free Europe without the unification of the Western Balkans.

The American diplomat, who is staying in Tirana for the Southeast European Peace Summit, said that not opening negotiations is a disappointment, but that work should not be put off for reform implementation.

“Balkan is trying to be part of something better than united Europe, a Europe that is full, free, prosperous, I know that and all here we know, the recent frustration that in some way we will have postponement of negotiations with the EU. I personally have worked in this region for many years and feel this disappointment myself, and I think it's important for people to realize that the road to moving forward is open and still is dead. However, there will be problems, turns and difficulties ahead. The problem is not celebrating challenges, but rather understanding the fact that our task is to overcome challenges and not remain in the country and count. I am very convinced that this trip that people of Western Balkan countries have started is a journey that has helped these people in difficult times until their goals are realized. I have no doubt that there will be no real free Europe without the unification of the Western Balkans”, he said.

Furthermore, Hill added that “I think the people of this region should behave the same as this European Union trip has ended. Do not start to apply the principles of the European Union when you join. Start with these standards right now, this is a thought that has worked with NATO, in the case of Albania since 1991, if I had stood before an audience I would say it's too soon to be a member of NATO, I don't think I would have been entrusted with a lot of members of the audience. But you see the remarkable progress Albania has achieved and how Northern Macedonia has coped with it, and the answer is that reforms have been established both in the military and in changing the minds of the military so that there can be co-operation among NATO member states, these NATO member states that before they were confirmed as NATO states have initiated principles. I think this is something very clear and this performance should not be slowed by anyone beyond the challenges that are faced before”. / A OVR