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Interview by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Edmond Haxhinasto
NOA – Tirana, January 26, 2011
Which are Albania’s prospects of integration to the EU after the adoption of the visa liberalization and the postponement of the candidate status?
European Integration is the principal priority of the current majority. We are completely aware of the obligations stemming from our EU membership. Albania has proven that it is capable of complying with these requisites and enter a new stage in its path to European Integration. The process that accompanied the visa liberalization has showed, in particular, that all the necessary technical benchmarks can be met and this will make our country’s advancement to the EU possible.
How long do you think will it take to materialize the EU membership?
The Integration to the EU is a process and now we are on the phase when we have submitted our application for the candidate status. The European Commission will again express its opinion by the end of 2011. According to us, integration is a duty and a goal to be achieved for Albania, the Albanians, the political institutions and for all the political forces. It is crucially important that all political forces and institutions should be committed to meeting the membership obligations. To receive the candidate status Albania should comply with 12 priorities established by the European Commission. The current Government is committed to achieve this objective; however, it is important that the opposition is also engaged into it.
What is the level of relations between Albania and Italy?
The relations between Albania and Italy are excellent. Last year, a document on the Strategic Partnership between the two countries was signed, which reflects the high level of these relations. Italy has supported Albania in all the difficult moments during the whole 20 – year period of transition. It is important to see the reality of exchanges. Italy is as the largest investor in Albania, the third largest donor and an important political partner in Albania’s integration process. Italy is our first advocate to support Albania’s process of EU integration; it has also played a special role in the visa liberalization process. We also have a very good political cooperation, which will be strengthened in the bilateral, as well as in the multilateral level, in the framework of international organizations.
There is a ongoing boost in the trade and economic relations between Italy and Albania, particularly in the energy area.
True, referring to the economic relations in the energy area, they have witnessed a growth with Italy. There is an agreement since last year in place on cooperation in this sector; meanwhile, Italian companies have shown their interest in this field and in the renewable energy, in particular. Likewise, the Italian Government offers legal assistance through its specific programs for the completion of the legal framework, with a view to bring it even closer to the EU legal frame; so, I might say that energy is one of the most important areas of cooperation between the two countries.
