Rama for “Der Spiegel”: We're like Afghans, but the Afghans of Europe

We are divided for everything in Albania and sometimes disagree on what time it is. But our parties don't change in this matter. We have had half a million refugees registered during the Kosovo War”, Rama has said.

Spiegel: Your country has become home to Afghans, who have fled when the Taliban once again took power in mid-August. How many and how long will they stay?

Rama: There are now about 10,000 Afghans and Americans are still bringing in. We can get up to 40,000. These people were in front of the Taliban and served NATO troops, for example as translators. We should not disappoint them. They'll stay until they get visas for the US. The procedures will take a long time.

Spiegel: Albania is not the largest and richest country in Europe. How did this come about?

Rama: We were first introduced by nongovernmental organizations to help Afghans. We immediately said” but” was demanded by the American government. They were under pressure because there were only a few places they wanted to take refugees.

Spiegel: Why did Albania agree?

Rama: We couldn't have refused! The Albanian honor code comes from the Middle Ages. Hospitality plays a central role, and that is true today. ” Your house belongs to God and your friend”, says this honor code. It's not just about that friend you invite, for all those who knock on the door. Traditionally for us impossible to refuse anyone. That is why Albania was the only country after World War II that had more Jews than before its beginning.

Spiegel: Does this mean that even the population supports it? The decision to make thousands of Afghans?

Rama: We are divided for everything in Albania and sometimes we disagree about what time it is. But our parties don't change in this matter. We have had half a million refugees registered during the Kosovo War. In recent years more than 3,000 Iranians came to us, members of the opposition who were brutally persecuted. We're like Afghans, but the Afghans of Europe. Our country was completely isolated under Enver Hoxha's regime, not even part of the Warsaw Treaty. At the turning point, all institutions collapsed and the country was like civil war. At that time many ships were filled with men and headed toward Italy. We've experienced being refugees.

Spiegel: In other European countries migration policies are highly controversial, there is fear of refugees who are the fuel of right-wing populist parties. So are Albanians immune to discontent?

Rama: Our opening is a great inheritance, and many must be the ones to receive it. We too are a member country NATO, only Albania's military contribution is not great. But many believe that we can help differently. NATO is a community of values. We just can't turn our backs right now. It is shocking how the right extreme is detecting debate over immigrants in many countries today, especially in rich ones.

Spiegel: By 2018, Albania has refused to build refugee waiting centres on behalf of the European Union. Why did you tell this “ ”?

Rama: We did not want to be transformed into a gathering place for unwanted refugees from the EU. Otherwise we would have to serve an anti-imgration policy of truly rich countries. We didn't want that.

Spiegel: Albania long aims to join the EU, but has not noted progress in this. Are you disappointed?

Rama: We are not disappointed, but we have become more realistic. We have idealized the EU, we continue to be one of the most pro-European countries on the continent. But today we know better how the EU works. We learn from Europe how to build a transparent and democratic state. Europe owns knowledge and provides it. This too is a value in itself. Membership happens when it happens. It's all clear to me: we were the last to give up the idea of communism and we'd be the last to give up on Europe. Someone may question the Vatican, but not God. The idea of a united Europe is God.

Spiegel: Today, above all, you are in favour of a greater approach to the United States. What kind of relationship would you like to have with the United States? That of a special partnership, for example? Many other countries that have difficulties with the EU would have dreamed of it.

Rama: During the period of communism, we were told that the U.S. was the incarnation of evil. But we became worshipers of America. Albanians are more pro-American today than they are to the state. Fortunately, we are not obliged to choose between the United States and the EU. We want good relations with both.

Spiegel: Will you miss Angela Merkel, who has always been interested in the Balkans? French President Emmanuel Macron, for example, even blocked membership talks with Balkan states.

Rama: Emmanuel Macro is far more honest than many other politicians who hide behind beautiful promises. It was Merkel who escaped the honor of the continent at the time. Europe would have lost the splendor of its morality if it had closed its borders. Merkel will miss us very much, as she had a vision for the Balkans. /Attish/