Begaj: No room for discontent, Kosovo lawyer Albania in international arena

Albania's President Bajram Begaj, in an interview for the “programme.Deutsche Welle” in Albanian, until he spoke about Kosovo's “hatherming” towards Albania, specifically in terms of developments in the dialogue process for normalising Kosovo-Serbia relations, stressed that “there is room for dissatisfaction” because Albania will always be a side of Kosovo.

Kosovo is Albania's greatest interest, Albania is Kosovo's best lawyer in the international arena, and any regional initiative is cited and protected by Kosovo. Of course we will have this cooperation, and in the future I don't think there is room for discontent. We are there, we will always be in favour of Kosovo”, the Albanian president guaranteed.

Otherwise, relations between Albania and Kosovo recently have been classified by a cycle of clashes between political leaders. This “fatigue” in the interstate reports came after the engagement of Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama, in the process of dialogue between Pristina and Belgrade under the auspices of the European Union (BE), giving suggestions and proposals.

However, despite Prime Minister Rama's active commitment to finding a solution to the tense flow of relations between Kosovo and Serbia, he has not found minimal consideration by institutional leaders in Kosovo, especially from Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti, his authority and constructiveity, have been positively assessed by European diplomats.

Deutsche Welle: Mr. President, this is football these days in Germany. How do you assess the Albanian national game so far?

Bajram BegajHi, it's nice to be in this interview with you. And for me as president of the Republic of Albania is Albania's national team. I am very pleased with the national team, I wish you many successes and I believe that the European Football Championship is a victory for Albanian fans, for red fans.

What role can this play in Albania's participation in improving Albania's image in Europe?

I think Albania's image in Europe is greatly improved in recent years. Albania is present on the front pages of world media, for the fact that tourism in Albania last year was an estimated 10 million tourists, this year is thought and projected to be around 15 million tourists. This shows that Albania has an important role, especially Albania's development, security and what it does in the international arena is very welcome and respected.

You will also meet with the president of Germany, Frank Walter Steinmeier. What are your expectations for Germany's role in Albania and the region?

It's certainly a pleasure to be welcomed by the president of Germany. It is a pleasure to continue the friendly conversation held two years ago in Albania, in terms of bilateral co-operation between Albania and the Federal Republic of Germany, in terms of the EU integration process, as well as the region's events.

We had elections for the European Parliament and noticed a delay on the right. Are you afraid this will slow down the enlargement process?

I'm not afraid. Our expectations are that the Western Balkans' enlargement process towards EU membership will be a strategic process for Europe and vital for the Western Balkans. I really believe this process to be accelerated. The Western Balkans need Europe, and I believe that Albania is on the agenda of this process for the fact that it is a champion of regional co-operation, greatly impacts friendships between Western Balkan countries, as well as peace, security, stability, sustainable development and aspiring to integrate into the European Union.

You said yourself, you're a promoter of regional co-operation. On the part of Kosovo, there are often disappointments. The foreign minister says Albania's policy towards Serbia will have to pass through Kosovo. What do you think of that?

Kosovo is Albania's greatest interest, Albania is Kosovo's best lawyer in the international arena, and in every international organisation and every regional initiative is cited and protected by Kosovo. Of course we will have this cooperation, and in the future I don't think there is room for discontent. We are there, we will always be in support of Kosovo. Two days ago I was in Kosovo, attending the 25th anniversary of Kosovo's liberation, this shows that our relations are excellent.

Very good relations we have, says Albania's Foreign Minister, even with Greece, but Greece has blocked the integration process due to the Beler issue. How can Albania overcome these challenges?

Albania has done its homework well. Albania has successfully passed the action process, has opened its first inter-ministerial conference and expects the opening of the first chapter dealing with the fundamental chapter of legislation. I don't believe that bilateral issues will affect Albania's membership process in the European Union.

You are the president of all Albanians, even those who are abroad. How do you address the problems of Albanians in Serbia when you talk to your colleagues?

Of course, I have constitutional responsibility to protect Albanians wherever they work and live, and one of them is the Albanian community living in the Presevo Valley. I in my address to the general assembly of the United Nations have raised concern about the depopulation of the Presevo Valley region, with the use of addresses, and I believe it is in our honor to continue to protect the interests of Albanians in this Valley.

You met with the Albanian diaspora. A major problem for the diaspora is also the lack of opportunity to vote in the countries in which they live. How are you engaged in doing so?

I have made several meetings with the Albanian diaspora and today I made a meeting for the diaspora living in Berlin. Of course, for me the diaspora is inspired, it's with its own ideas needed to contribute home, and I believe the diaspora world will be addressed and their political representation will be welcome.

A problem remains the internal issue, interparty panorama in Albania, status-opposital relations, which have yet to find a common language to co-operate constructively with the country. What can you do to reconcile more?

In implementation and respect of the Constitution of the Republic of Albania I am the president of Albania and I stand on the sides, I do not deal with the policy of the day. This does not mean that I do not follow, that I am not attentive to the policy of the day, but in every message of mine, which allows me the constitution to address the Parliament or address at important meetings with foreign ambassadors or important events in the country, I have addressed the need to have stable communication and dialogue between opposition and position, because I think the right place to face ideas is parliament. It is parliament that has to make laws and address solutions in the interest of citizens, in public interest, in national interest, in the interest of all.

In autumn, the Berlin process takes place for the tenth time. What are your expectations for this meeting?

I certainly see the Berlin process as a process that must accelerate the Western Balkans' EU membership process. Last year we were fortunate to organize the Berlin process very successfully and all those elements related to addressing issues to be resolved, during this summit will be addressed for solutions and we will find the rightful place.

What do you predict for the Croatia-Albania match?

I am not good at predicting, but I hope very much that the Albanian national team will win and I want it to win.