The long march towards the EU

Growing expectations in Albania for the concession of the status of candidate country for EU adhesion. The decision will be taken during the end-of-June European Council, upon confirmation by the EU Council of Ministers the coming month. In the meantime, over the past days the European Commission, that issued a Report on the progress of Albania in the fight on corruption and organized crime, and on the reform of the judicial system, confirmed its recommendation to granting EU candidate status. The Report has been compiled following a request to EU member States in December 2013 and will serve as a basis for the decision. For the Commission the decision will be based on the “political will” of the Albanian government “to act with determination in the fight on corruption and organized crime”, and on its commitment for a global reform of the judicial system. To gain an update of the situation, Vincenzo Corrado interviewed for SIR Europe Aljula Jubani, chair of the Linguistics Department of the Faculty of History and Philology at the University of Tirana. Professor, has there been progress in the fight on corruption and organized crime? How is the current situation in the Country? “The fight against organized crime is both a real and virtual reality. For the Albanian society, a very thin line separates crime and the fight against crime. As much as can be done to fight it, it appears that the corrupted and criminals are always a step ahead. Laws are not enough, and nor are the police forces. What needs to change is a mentality that destroys the present and the future. Indeed, these arguments are valid also for other European Countries, but in Albania they gain greater meaning owing to its frail relationship with justice, stability and moral values following the years of dictatorship. Several steps have been made over the past years. In 2013 the new government led by Edi Rama pledged a ‘zero tolerance’ commitment against organized crime. The revision of the current legislation was announced to ensure compliance with European standards. Past March 20 the anti-Mafia law was adopted. It can be said that Rama’s government has made a certain amount of progress over its first year in office. Parliament will do the rest”. Does the general public truly wish to enter the European Union? “As regards Parliament, the political situation is not very good. We have a cohesive majority and a not well-consolidated opposition; it’s as if the latter were not given the possibility to intervene in the policies and actions of the majority. But it can be affirmed that European integration is the ideal point of encounter between political forces. This is not only a political decision. It is also the aspiration of citizens. A recent survey shows that over 70% of respondents are in favour of EU accession. Despite its numerous contradictions, Albania wishes to enter the European Union with the hope that local politics may develop in a sounder way and that the responsibilities of the executive may increase, triggering the Country’s democratization and wellbeing”. What would be the contribution of Albania’s EU membership to the Balkan area? “Albanians are an important factor in the Balkans. For centuries they have been living in a number of States. A new configuration of Balkan States in the EU would contribute to the improvement of relations among the countries”. Italy has always been “an advocate of the European cause of Albania”, said the president of the Italian Republic during a recent visit to Tirana. With the beginning of the semester of Italian presidency of the EU expectations mount… “Throughout the course of history Italians have always been friendly to Albanians. Italy has always been considered an advocate and a partner that has given support to Albania, not only in the integration process, but also in the Country’s democratization and emancipation. After the recent elections for the renewal of the European Parliament, marked by a 20-30% increase of eurosceptic parties, Albania has fewer hopes of being granted a candidate country status. The beginning of the semester of Italian presidency can only be a positive note for increased hopes”. Albania should be granted a candidate Country Status. And then? Which stimulus? “Albania went a long way closer to the EU. Despite the conflicting political situations of recent years, European integration has never been questioned. A candidate country status will ensure that Albania continues following the path of reforms. It will also be an incentive for a more responsible politics on the part of the political forces in the Country”.