In an exclusive interview for ABC News, the rapporteur for Albania, Knut Fleckenstein, states that there is no other option but opening the green light for the opening of Albania’s EU membership negotiations. He hopes that member states will support this recommendation and will encourage the Albanian government for further results in the Vetting process and 5 key priorities.
– In the framework of the high-level inter-parliamentary table with members of the Balkan countries, you have also met with the Albanian delegation. All political forces agree that Albanian citizens deserve the opening of the negotiations, but they are divided over the political force that can open the negotiations. What do you think of that?
Knut fleckenstein, rapporteur for Albania: “I think that the decision to open negotiations should be taken as soon as possible in Brussels. We need to show that we want to open accession negotiations.There is no other option but opening the negotiations. Who will do this in Albania? I am sure the government will find a solution. Of course, it is up to the opposition to tell if there are any mistakes and I take seriously the fact that there may be mistakes. We should see them and maybe we can give our help.
– In the framework of the fight against organized crime there is a current issue that has created tension in Albanian politics, which is the Tahiri file. Do you think the vote in the Albanian Parliament against the immunity lift of the former Interior Minister’s arrest, was the right way to let justice institutions do their job?
Knut Fleckenstein, rapporteur for Albania: “I can not say for sure which party is right and which is wrong. In my point of view, if the prosecution had sufficient evidence, immunity for arrest had to be lifted, but it was argued that an investigation could be conducted by controlling the person and his apartment without the need for arrest. I do not know what is right or not, since I did not speak with the Prosecution. However, I do not understand what this has to do with the Vetting process, as the Vetting process involves scanning prosecutors and judges for the functioning of the new justice system. While the issue we are talking about is a separate issue. He knows that the Prosecution of Serious Crimes of Albania can continue the investigation and hope that no one will disappear in the meantime. I also have information from my American colleagues that they are seeing this issue attentively”.
-What do you think of President Junker’s statement referring to a possible membership of Serbia and Montenegro in 2025, without mentioning other Balkan countries.
Knut Fleckenstein, rapporteur for Albania: “There was another nonprofessional preparation by President Juncker. That’s because President Juncker did not want to say that we only deal with those who are more advanced comparing to other countries. But when the European Commission’s new strategy is presented in February, it will be clear, regarding the six Balkan countries”.
– One of the Albanian opposition MPs has raised concerns about the indirect Brussels speeches about the main issues in the country. Referring to the statements of the High Representative, Federica Mogherini, there were many positive comments. Does this language help?
Knut Fleckenstein, rapporteur for Albania: “I understand this criticism. First, progress has been made. Albania has made progress and here we are not talking only about the government, but also the legislative process in the Assembly. But of course we have to refer to the deficits as well. We are not talking about stability deficiencies, but in different countries of the region there is still a lack of reforms in the fight against corruption and organized crime, the independence of the media, the freedom of the media not through the beautiful formulation of documents, but their implementation. Of course it is not easy and can not be done in the blink of an eye, but of course there are deficits and we have to say them and we will say them”/tvklan.al
