President Begaj: Pristina to follow US suggestions for dialogue with Serbia, we need self-isolation

“We do not need self-isolation, we need friends and support”, President Begaj said in an interview for Voice of America, adding that Albania supports the dialogue mediated by the European Union and supported by the United States.

As for the issue of the arrest of the elected mayor of Himara, Frede Beler, who has led to the frustration of relations between Tirana and Athens, President Begaj said the justice decision should be expected, expressing confidence in its independence. “When justice is spoken, then we can act”, President Begaj said.

Regarding the maritime border agreement with Greece, President Begaj said he is praising the Foreign Ministry's request for authorisation for the start of negotiations, and that a group of Presidency experts and this ministry are working to achieve a version of authorisation in full accordance with the Constitutional Court's decision.

President Begaj: Before I answer your question, I'd like to start my interview by expressing my most sincere condolences for your colleague's life, your regular family, American Voice contributor Rudina Dervisi. For me, it will remain an example of inspiration for all journalists not only of the Voice of America, but of journalists and media throughout Albania.

To come to the answer to your question, I at every meeting that I have held as head of state, with every international partner, in every international organization, have expressed the need for support of Kosovo not only as moral support but also in terms of new recognitions.

In fact, Kosovo's support is imperative, necessary not only for Kosovo, but for the entire region, for the fact that the Albanian factor is an important factor for peace, security, well-being and sustainable development.

The Albanian factor has its own European spirit and Euro-Atlantic travel in DNA.

During the time Albania has maintained its non-permanent position at the UN Organisation Security Council has always called for support of Kosovo and for new recognitions of the Republic of Kosovo.

It is the duty of every citizen, every statesman, to support Kosovo.

To come to the current situation, Albania and I in my address to the UN yesterday strongly support dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia, which is facilitated by the European Union and strongly supported by the United States of America, which is our partner and strategic ally.

We don't need self-issolation, we need friends, we need support. So, of course, any recommendation given by our strategic ally must be heard. More needs to be heard by Kosovo politicians, those who are decision-makers. I would advise that, all Kosovo politicians, all Albanians, should understand that we have only one compass, that compass should lead us to Euro-Atlantic travel.

Voice of America: Mr. President, the arrest of the president-elect of the Himara City Hall, Fred Beler has brought considerable frustration in your country's relations with Greece. How do you view the positions of Athens, which requires Mr. Beler's release, speaks of human rights violations and threatens to block Albania's integration?

President Begaj: I would say that Albania's relations with Greece are relations of a strategic partnership and that it is understood that they are based on the best values of neighbourliness and mutual respect of each other.

I've been waiting in my office for the prime minister of Greece, we've discussed matters of old and new. This issue you mentioned is not in the hands of the president, nor of any other personality, I think this issue is about justice and we should let justice do its job. When justice is spoken, then we can act.

Justice in Albania, following reform made with full political consensus, is on track, and is independent.

Voice of America: Mr. President, another issue related to Greece is that of the maritime border agreement. The sides have agreed to send it to the International Court of Justice to The Hague. The Foreign Ministry has asked you to authorise the start of negotiations. You and recently stated that you are considering the request, which was submitted four months ago. Is something wrong?

President Begaj: The assessment of the request made by the Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs is not a matter of time, the assessment should be made based on certain legal and constitutional requirements that should contain authorisation in question. Of course, the president has the constitutional obligation to fulfil this constitutional and legal obligation, for any negotiations, for any international agreement, as I make the right decision, I will let you and the public know.

Voice of America: Have you had communication with the Foreign Ministry during this time about elements related to request and are we close to your response?

President Begaj: But we have set up a group of experts who are looking and interacting with each other to find the right modalities and achieve a version of the authorisation in full accordance with the Constitutional Court's decision.

Voice of America: Mr. President, in July, parliament in Albania passed several bills that were accompanied by unusual debates -- the one related to the obligation of medical students to stay in Albania after the university ends -- the law on medical cannabis, or the Academy of Sciences. You passed these laws quietly. Why did you choose this approach, what was the message you intended to convey?

President Begaj: True, parliament in July passed three laws that have had public discussions. The president's constitutional control mechanism in question, for any law adopted by parliament, is to strictly adhere to the constitution. And decision-making cannot be initiated by personal opinions, political opinions. Any law adopted by the Parliament is subject to a regular provision, which sees whether this law is in full compliance with the constitution. No other witnesses can influence the president's decision making. For the laws you mentioned, and more precisely for students at the Medical School, I personally made a meeting with them, who view the law from violating their rights.

While the government on the other hand sees the law from a major public interest, Albanian citizens have coverage with health services. That kind of contradiction, if there was a presidential decision-making, whether in the case of decree, or in the event of a return to parliament, would have an unproportional legal influence on either side. So in this case, I decided not to take sides and let interested parties engage in another constitutional controlling mechanism, which may be the Constitutional Court.

But, my silence in this case, it's not about the fact that it was a president's decision. It had to do with the fact that the president had these constitutional dilemmas. As regards other law...

Voice of America: ... of the medical cannabis

President Begaj: ...the law of the medical cannabis actually had no constitutional violations, there was no contradiction between the law and the constitution of the Republic of Albania. The constitutional dilemma in the case of the cannabis law concerned norms that should have been included in the law, which were left to be involved at a second moment with acts of government. So for this purpose, I kept silent. As far as the Academy of Sciences law was concerned, there was actually no... When a law is seen, the complaint that came to me in the Presidency, by some public actors, had to do with some procedural violations. The procedural violations that, in fact, if they have brought violations of the constitution, need a presidential stance. In the actual case, it was estimated that procedural violations did not involve constitutional violations. In the case public opinion expects to see the president in a direct conflict with parliament for the return of a law or for a non-contested conflict. So in this case, there were only violations of procedures, which MPs could very well have used under parliamentary procedure and parliamentary regulation, which is unanimously approved by MPs themselves.

Voice of America: Mr. President, during the days of your stay here in the United States you have also had a meeting with the Albanian-American community, which, among other things, have demanded the realisation of the immigrant vote. Do you think that in the upcoming elections, Albanian immigrants will have the opportunity to exercise their right to vote?

President Begaj: Of course, during my stay in New York I couldn't leave without meeting the Albanian diaspora part that I appreciate very much for its energy, for its ideas, and the new possibilities it brings. Since the first months of starting my work, I have had a meeting with the Albanian diaspora and have declared with them their right request to vote in Albania. This request has also been addressed to Albania's parliament and I believe that the electoral reform commission, which will be established I believe this month, will implement the Constitutional Court's decision, which by the end of the year must be granted the right to vote on the Albanian diaspora. It's a right expressed in the constitution and I believe it has to be realized.