Experts: Balkans risk disarray after non by EU

“The consequences will be felt more in the social, psychological and domestic policy. On the social side, it will be difficult to expand domestic business or foreign investors, psychologically the percentage of skeptics to the European project as a set of values and principles will be increasing, in terms of domestic policy falling prospects for a reform of the political system, for more accountability and in the name of stability will continue the tendency to personalise power” Prof says. Dr. Africa Krasniqi, director of the Institute for Political Studies.

Edlira Johni, an independent analyst, director of the Centre for Public Influence in Tirana, sees the failure to make the decision as bad news, primarily for citizens.

The “is a scourge for ordinary citizens, an undeserved movement for them and the two countries. It is an attitude that seems to be supporting all the dark forces that want to leave Albania behind like corruption and organised crime, it seems to give these forces oxygen, adds operational capabilities to”, says John.

According to her, France has erred not only with preventing the decision but also with the idea of the EU's need to reshape the enlargement strategy, since it means it takes many years to understand and decide what should be done.

France always hesitant

Alexander Cipa, independent analyst, thinks that “Finance in relation to the delayed Western Balkan countries, which are now at the highest point in their aspirations to be EU members, has long been in a conservative and refraractar position, especially to Albania”.

This situation is generating anger on citizens who, for the first time, use the language of disbelief, frustration, fatigue “, according to Edlara John.

And this is happening when Albania and BP as the region are in economic, social stagnation and serious institutional confidence crisis. The EU's stance rather than extinguish it, added gasoline to this crisis of trust and led it from domestic institutions to those of the EU.

Polls show that Albanians trust more in NATO and the EU than in religion, government, judiciary, media, health or political party” think Edlira Gjoni.

Prof. Dr. Krasniqi and Edlira Gjoni join in their opinion that the consequences of failing to make the decision to open negotiations will extend throughout the region. The consequences of the European Council's decision on Albania and Northern Macedonia will have regional impacts.

They are a blow to the countries' aspirations of the region for progress that brings about the integration process and European support to politicians of the liberal, pro-Western political currents. Failure to make the decision undermines the political process between Pristina and Belgrade, as there is no longer any guarantees that important political agreements will be accounted for as investments towards integration, as happened in the Macedonia and Greece case of”, says Africa Krasniqi.

Even for Edlira John, the consequences at the regional level are expected to be serious.

“Today the EU and the Balkans are further apart than five years ago, when the Berlin process began to give new impulses to the European integration process in BP. All six countries have seen the membership process as a compass, as the engine of efforts to move forward. If this line compass worked, if postponed, reformed, or whatever they name diplomatically, the consequences can be severe and tragic. Peace and stability can endure, but young people cannot. They're gonna go, they're gonna empty the Balkans at a high rate, and this depopulation could be the true tragedy. It is the result of protest response to even this isolation, this unworthless treatment they now receive even from the EU, where they have maintained high expectations and which are wiping out the EU itself, ” points out John.

The negotiations will burden the political crisis in Albania?

The “Do not make the decision to open negotiations, in Albania will not cause political crisis, as the entire political class has been essentially invested in pro-a negative decision, due to its fear of a deep monitoring process, accountability and higher democratic standards.

In the long term if the same decision-making follows, the consequences could account for strengthening nationalist political lines, and possibly religious ones, as well as weakening pro-Western parties and traditional ties with some EU countries” think Africa Krasniqi.

The Democratic Party, which leads the opposition abroad, already called for Prime Minister Rama's resignation Friday evening.

The Albanian opposition's request for Prime Minister Rama's resignation is an additional argument, an additional pretext since Albania has so long been characterised by an abnormal political reality, which is decomposing some consequences and negative effects on administrative, institutional, economic and social life. We have standard deviations that have brought and will add to the consequences” says of DW, Alexander Cipa, independent analyst in Tirana. /DW/