Citizens of Europe

Following the decision to grant free-visa travel for its citizens (in December) now Albania is expected to make further progress in those areas that still hinder the kick-off of EU-adhesion negotiations. The 12 thorny items on the agenda of Sali Berisha’s government range from minorities’ rights to the relations with the Balkan neighbours, to the regular continuation of internal and foreign policy, with special reference to the initiative of Albania to normalize the relations between Kosovo and Serbia. The objective is to obtain a positive report by the EU Commission on Albania’s status as EU candidate-country by October, which has not yet been granted. SIR Europe addressed the question of Albania’s application for EU-membership with the President of the Albanian Bishops’ Conference Msgr. Rock Mirdita, archbishop of Tirana-Durazzo.Your Excellency, is Europe closer or is it further away? “Culturally and geographically Albania is a European country. It was unfortunate however. For almost 50 years it was subjected to a fierce dictatorship that marginalized it also from other Communist countries. After the fall of Communism (December 1990) it wasn’t easy to handle the transition period from an isolated country to a stable democracy. We hope that the right path is being followed. The fact that Albania has become a NATO Member State is very significant. It means that Euro-Atlantic institutions have faith in Albania. Another sign is the recent visa-free travel decision, a true present, an opportunity for the reunification of families whose members are living across European countries. The times when Albanians fled on dinghies are distant memories. The exodus was interrupted and the Country is nearing its stability. Today Albanians travel by plane, by ferry-boats, these are signs of a Country that is more stable also from the economic angle. Psychologically Albanians no longer live in a closed environment, its population is no longer discriminated. They know that they can leave whenever they please. They feel they are European citizens. Democracy is a precious gift”.How much does the Communist past weigh in the path leading towards the EU? “The costs of the devastating Communist heritage have been very high in the past twenty years of our path towards Europe. Indeed, Albanians had to learn democracy, which in the years following the fall of the regime had become a synonym of chaos. Chaos in the country reached its peak with the drastic institutional crisis and with the popular confusion of 1997. The spiritual void left by the atheist propaganda cannot be easily bridged, in the new framework of laicist Europe. We could go into the details of the consequences of the Communist past on our journey towards Europe, but we must also see the positive aspects that can be drawn from that experience. In fact, it is constructive to acknowledge that the oppressing regime further united the population, and stepped up its resistance. This is evident in the cordial inter-religious relations, conversely from other Countries in the region, where ethnic and religious conflicts are ongoing. Also in this context Albania is a factor of stability of the Balkan area. Albania is a source of stability and peace in the Balkans given its European vocation. Living together is better than dying together”.Kosovo always remains a delicate question…“As regards the question of Kosovo Albania played an important role since the outbreak of the Balkan conflict, acting as the pacifier of tensions within the Kosovan population. Albania never demanded to annex the Country while it voiced the claims of the Kosovars at international bodies, this role was acknowledged at international level”.What could EU accession bring to Albania? “Europe could spur Albania’s development, which stopped in 1946, when its historical development was marred by the installation of Enver Hoxha’s regime. A small Marshall plan led by Italy, a Country we feel close to under many angles, is also a possibility, as it could bring us to the level of other nations as relates to economic and financial development, business, infrastructures – including schools, hospitals, aqueducts, electricity”.Also the Church is called to give her contribution, but first she must rid herself of the effects of Communist oppression, is it the case? “Communism severely harmed the Church, and healing cannot take place over a short period. The Church was uprooted from the Albanian reality along with its institutions. Even the clergy was decimated, and so were the finest brains in the Country, by Hoxha’s regime. Now we have to rebuild our structures. This is possible also thanks to the help of so many religious, men and women, priests, and missionaries. There are many vocations that come from Albania, this is a gift of God. Some 30 Albanian priests have been ordained since the year 2000. Communism has left us many martyrs: the richness of our Church, which has 5 dioceses (there are seven bishops, ed.’s note). We recently closed the diocesan process of 40 Albanian martyrs in the cathedral of Scutari. They are a testimony for Europe and for the whole world”.