President Begaj's Answers During The Joint Press Conference With The President Of Austria, H.E.Mr. Alexander Van Der Bellen

President Begaj’s answers during the joint press conference with the President of Austria, H.E.Mr. Alexander Van der Bellen

The EU is introducing many reforms, especially about the rule of law, but there are also EU countries which are not taking many steps forward in this direction. Do you think that in Albania you are being treated a little badly in this regard?

President Begaj – I cannot comment on whether there is criticism within the UNION for certain countries. Certainly, the process of joining the EU has defined rules, that require the strengthening of the rule of law, democracy and human rights. It is their right to implement these fundamental requirements and I believe, it is our duty to fulfill all these requirements, to make this EU membership process in the shortest possible time.

We have opened the first intergovernmental conference with the EU, we have successfully passed the first chapters. I believe, because we are on a good path and during this year, I believe the second intergovernmental conference with the EU will take place. Naturally, I agree with President Van der Bellen concerning some reforms that need to be done in the country must be done with the agreement of the EU, and what is more important is the unification and the making of laws according to the standards of the EU, because this is our destination of no return.

First, I have a question for Mr. Begaj. Yesterday, Mr. Kurti came to visit Tirana. The first question, how much do you think the conflict between neighboring countries burdens the position of the region, and Mr. Begaj, do you think that a Republika Srpska would be the right solution?

President Begaj – It is true that yesterday we had a meeting with the Prime Minister of the Republic of Kosovo, Mr. Albin Kurti. Kosovo is a priority and very important to us. We discussed extensively about the process of the agreement reached in the European Union and the annex to this agreement in Ohrid. It is a public agreement I actually hailed, because as we Albanians say: we cannot choose the neighbour, the neighbour is there, and if we have disagreements with someone, the disagreements are resolved through dialogue.

We are fully convinced, that dialogue is the only way to solve problems between the Republic of Kosovo and the Republic of Serbia. In no case, under no circumstances, as the President of the Republic of Albania, I would not accept a Republika Srpska in Kosovo, and as far as I know, it is not even supported by the United States of America, our strategic partner. I believe in the framework of that agreement, where in the circumstances of a self-management with community rights according to the Constitution of the Republic of Kosovo, I believe it will be the right solution. It is important to establish peace between Kosovo and Serbia for the resolution of disputes regarding the respect of minorities and to work hard for the region to integrate in the European Union, and thus to have more prosperity for the people living in the region.

Mr. President, during the last few months Albania has been visited also by other heads of state of EU countries, the President of Germany and the President of Italy. Is this an increased attention to Albania’s integration process, or do these important EU countries have a concrete concern towards Albania or the countries of the region?

It is true that in recent months Albania has been visited by heads of state of several European countries. For a long time now, Albania has been working to strengthen democracy and the rule of law, implementing bold reforms in all areas. Certainly, internationally, the role of Albania has increased significantly, and is a contribution internationally appreciated, in the OSCE, in the Security Council, in NATO, being considered as a factor of peace and stability, not only in the region, but even wider. The war in Ukraine has somewhat changed the approach to security challenges and I strongly believe that we have an increased focus of the EU on the Western Balkans. But I believe that the visit of my friend, President Van der Bellen, and other European counterparts, from Italy and Germany, is a support for the Albanians, a support for the project of the Albanians to join the big European family, whose family we belong not only geographically, but also for the values we carry.

Beyond the fairly good historical and political relations between the two countries, what is your assessment regarding an intensification of economic cooperation in the future and how would you assess the potential of Austrian investments in Albania?

I agree with President Van der Bellen. It is correct what you said, that in addition to the early historical and friendly relations, during the last 3 decades, the economic ties between Albania and Austria have increased. The first Austrian investments are important and successfully realized. It is the hotel and tourism “Rogner”, that President Van der Bellen mentioned, built 20 years ago, then the investments continue in the field of insurance and the banking sector, as well as in the production of electricity. All these investments were actually made at a time when a few thought to invest in Albania and especially in these sectors, that seemed underdeveloped or were underdeveloped at that time. But in fact, these Austrian investments turned out to be successful investments which gave a positive signal and guarantee for other investments made by Austria and by the locals, Albanians. I believe that the trade exchange between the countries is modest, there is potential to develop and I strongly believe that this visit of President Van der Bellen to Albania is an appreciation and support for this potential to develop and naturally, the economic forum that we will go and open this afternoon, is the right place to realize this potential and make it concrete with economic developments between the two countries.