Firstly I would like to wholeheartedly thank you for the invitation and opportunity extended to me to address, as you already mentioned, this excellent audience regarding the viewpoint of the President of the Republic about the domestic and foreign policies of Albania. Availing myself of this opportunity, I would like to state that the policies of Albania in both domestic and foreign levels are important institutional policies, are policies which in no way cannot be based upon individual wills, where all the distinguished representatives of state structures and politics have become part of this wonderful symphony where the Albanian state is increasingly day by day being represented better. Keeping in mind the expression that you used about small or big states, we are truly small in the geographical sense, but our continuous aspiration has been and will be that we like to make friends, it does not matter small or big friends, but what is important is that Albania today is not alone. It is part of the international institutional policies and I believe what clearly expresses the position of Albania and its institutions are the powerful aspiration held by Albania and Albanian society first of all and its institutions to be part of the Euro-Atlantic world.
I am here today in this Forum with my wish, which for you is familiar for quite some times, but especially after my election to the post of the President of the Republic, to hold, urge and expand the democratic debate on very important issues for the future of Albania. I am very convinced that democracy, in order to be developed, to be strengthened and to grow healthy, must be enriched through a debate where not only the politicians must participate, not only the media, not only the civil society, not only our international friends, but also and especially the public and citizens of Albania. The society which we are striving to build needs the contribution of all. We are obliged to listen to the views of all, to the concerns of all, to the assessments of all for what we do and then create the political, economical, social, educational and health strategies to truly build a deserved state where every one can feel that his place is the merit of value and not anti-values and where everyone believes that there is a future for him and his children.
Albania must return to Europe. The aspiration will remain for it to become part as soon as possible institutionally as well of the great European family, to which it belongs both historically and geographically and from its spiritual vocation.
Albania is already on the right path towards being integrated in the European family and closer to the Euro-Atlantic family integration. In order to safely progress on this path, we are all conscious and determined about the reforms we must undertake through a loyal and constructive cooperation.
The pace of the steps for Albania, which are already determined by the Association-Stabilization Agreement, is indispensable to be respected by all and the fulfillment of obligations stemming from the Interim Agreement must sensitize everyone. We are all conscious that there is no time to waste. The ratifying of the Association-Stabilization Agreement by only fifteen EU member countries is encouraging, but is not enough. All the structures of our state must work for the ratification by the other EU member countries to be concluded by the first semester of 2008 and then to seek the status of the candidate country for which we are more than prepared.
I consider as a very qualitative step in the relations with the European Union, the Agreement to facilitate the visas’ procedures for the Albanian citizens. I lay in wait of the concrete results from the implementation of these measures for our citizens. Our proper structures must follow attentively the implementation of this Agreement in order to enable us the proposal of other facilitating steps in a not so distant future. But on the other hand we have to be conscious that Albania must establish as soon as possible standards to equip its citizens with identification cards.
I am very committed to give the maximal contribution to the political emancipation required by the country, by encouraging the spirit of political dialogue, cooperation among the political parties aiming to urge the carrying out of all the reforms required by the development of the country and our Euro-Atlantic engagements. The electoral reform and the judicial one are the most important reforms under our conditions. The President will be the guarantor of the correct institutional relation demanded by the opposition and the guarantor of the constitutional respect and upholding of the laws.
The judicial reform is one of the issues at the focus of attention not only of the Albanian politics, but above all of the Albanian society, of common people. It consists for Albania not only one of the obligations that stem from the Association-Stabilization Agreement, but also a political priority to be fulfilled for NATO integration as well. The President in his quality also as the Chairman of the High Council of Justice judges that the continuation of the reform in the judiciary must adapt to the democratic developments of the country. During these years there have been many laws passed but there are still many problems. We must try in a short-term period to achieve concrete results and required standards. This demands a new seriousness based upon the expressed political will by all the sides. Lastly I am glad to notice that in the Assembly of Albania, the proper Commission has begun the political debate which very soon must be translated into professional reforms.
The reform in the electoral system is important as well, not only for the fact that it is a precondition to our NATO and EU integration. It is necessary as the norm of the democratic state and Rule of Law where the vote of every citizen is neither deformed nor stolen, but it is respected and reflected in the elected structures by regaining this way the lost faith of our citizens on politics.
The Albanians expect from politics to enable them to live better, to feel safer and integrated and the fulfillment of such aspirations is the obligation of all, especially of the Albanian politicians and state. This must also be our main motivation to face the challenges of reforms and to give a real and quick impetus to the processes of democratic consolidation, to the Rule of Law, regional cooperation and Euro-Atlantic integration.
The determined fight and free of political colors against corruption in politics, administration, society, the battle against organized crime and trafficking of human beings, deformations of the fundamental principle of property are challenges of the European future of our country. I invite all to be united in a joint front and overcome those challenges. I invite all with full transparency to prove in front of our future that all these phenomena are not tendencies of our society, but only its passing illnesses.
In a general assessment, the economy of Albania, although it is facing the consequences of the global energy crisis, is characterized by a stable macro-economic situation. The Albanian exports are enjoying an increasing tendency and direct foreign investments are high by giving hope for a continuous stabilization. Albania is being placed under the focus of interest from powerful foreign investors who are participating in important projects of the Albanian economy: such as in energy, mining, commercial banks, tourism and infrastructure. The fiscal reform of this year with the flat tax of 10%, the lowest one in all the European countries, and the founding of the domestic business registering Agency in the One-stop-shop system create the ground to attract foreign investments and support the domestic business. This positive climate produced a successful tourism season for Albania with an increase of the tourists’ number compared to last year.
I judge that the economic policies must be oriented first of all towards the long-term amortizing of the power crisis consequences and prevention of possible crisis in the future. Today we are at a moment when, just to add a brief comment, we cannot talk only by using positive notes about economy: naturally we talk positively for its tendency. Today there is an ongoing social debate and to go back to first phrase I used in my opening remarks: that such forums have an extraordinary importance for us all, for politicians, for parliamentarians, for the people who are involved in foreign policy, for the economists, for the academicians, but referring to a debate on the common social ground, it seems today that there are problems of the acute nature and to break free from the phraseology of the speeches regarding the economic trends, there is no way to avoid the present debate related to the price of a basic and vital element such as bread. In order not to go over board and make the discussion on a very theoretical and academic ground, it is very important for such forums to combine what is the trend of economy, which is very positive, but also many elements which the politics and state first of all need to take into consideration and offer short-term, mid-term and long-term solutions.
Keeping in mind the fact that the private sector composes 80% of the GDP contribution of our country, the economic and financial policies must secondly encourage their positive experiences, support the projects and qualitative products, urge and encourage the domestic product and create the ground for a fair competition. Our integrating approach demands a qualitative and competing market and more and more Made in Albania products in both the regional market and beyond that.
Albania is determined to fulfill not only its political obligations in order to receive the NATO accession invitation during the April Summit in Bucharest. I deem as obligation the unwavering assessment of public opinion for the NATO accession of Albania and at the same time as a great encouragement and responsibility. A support of 90% in favor of Albania’s accession to NATO is more than a plebiscitary vote, is more than a referendum: it is an unwavering trust for the future of Albania in this Alliance.
During the last fifteen years we have enjoyed a close, uninterrupted and loyal cooperation with the North Atlantic Alliance by putting in its disposition our harbors, airports and territory for training objectives and other important missions. During this collaboration process, we have acted as de facto members of the Alliance. Under this spirit we will continue also after the de jure accession in it.
The transparency and constructiveness have been fundamental characteristics of this Albania – NATO collaboration, a characteristic which was further improved and enriched especially after the Washington Summit with the creation of Membership Action Plan.
Albania is the first and sole country in the world which has successfully eliminated all its chemical weapons. The western vision of action and reforms, which has been already embraced by the entire politics and Albanian society, and the restructuring and modernization of our Armed Forces make us more and more part of the fundamental values upon which the Euro-Atlantic structures are founded. The passing of the defense budget of 2% of the GDP in 2008 was an unwavering proof of that.
I asses that contribution of our country in the fight against terrorism on both the individual and global levels through the deployment of our armed forces contingents to Iraq or Afghanistan is an indispensable part of the capacitating programs of our military structures. They must be able to face the possible regional or global risks.
Albania considers the important Adriatic 3 process as the main integrating-cooperative mechanism in the steps taken towards NATO. We remain very serious in respecting this program also as the example of the successful regional cooperation, but also believing that the invitation that we seek from the Bucharest Summit will be based especially upon the main mechanism for the assessment of the candidacies on individual achievements and performance of every candidate country.
I would like to emphasize that the good-neighborly and cooperation relations with the countries of the region are and will remain in continuity an unchangeable priority of foreign affairs policy. It is self-conscious about the need of strengthening the cooperation with the countries of the region by respecting their sovereignty and territorial integrity. This composes also the foundation of our relations will all these countries.
Albania is vitally interested for a stabilized region where peace and cooperation reign and also for sustainable positive relations with its neighbors. Albania understands the integration of the Balkans as a precondition of integration in Europe.
Personally I appreciate the recent year’s tangible improvement of the political climate in the region, which is reflected in both the bilateral relations and multilateral ones. The new spirit of cooperation, the new mentality and individual contributions of each country serve to create a positive image of the region and to re-dimension its role in rapport to the main partners: the EU member countries and United States and also in a more general framework. Balkans does not suffer anymore from acute and concerning problems, but is has initiated integrating processes which require their own time to be concluded. It is no longer a field of internal conflicts or wars instigated from outside. On the contrary, the Western Balkans countries are being transformed more and more day by day into integrating and cooperating spaces that implement the global policies of security and great investments.
The European integration has already become the common language of all the countries of our region. Regardless of individual achievements or slow-downs, these countries have in front of them the same and sole way of reforms to be aligned with standards of other EU countries.
The victory of President Tadi桤uring the last presidential elections in Serbia, although it was a narrow win, besides offering a reflection of a visible political division of the Serbian society, gave him the constitutional right of European orientation of this important Western Balkans country.
We must all be interested, debate and encourage the economic dimension of regional cooperation as an indispensable ante-chamber of the integration into the European Union. The Treaty on the Energy Community has entered into effect on July 1, 2006, while the economic cooperation among our countries becomes easier also by the activation of CEFTA in the region of South Eastern Europe.
Personally I hold the view that these important regional processes of economic character cannot be met by full implementation or success if they are not accompanied by liberalizing reforms of the free movements of our citizens in our region. The unobstructed movement free of administrative barriers and inter-border restrictions besides encouraging the economic, trading and tourism development would help also the process of getting the peoples closer, knowing one another, peoples which although they are neighbors, still for centuries preserve reciprocal mentalities and prejudices.
I am optimistic that the spirit of cooperation and understanding on this issue will bear its fruits not only in the rapports with our neighboring state, Macedonia, but also with other regional countries as well.
The Albanian factor which is present in the regional countries has played an important role to increase and strengthen inter-state relations, to increase the spirit of reciprocal understanding and trust with these countries. They serve as true connecting and communication bridges between Albania and these countries. The perspective of the regional and European integration presumes the enhancement of ties and cooperation and reduction and less historical, geographical and ethnic divisions.
During this unstoppable integrating regional flow, the role of the Albanian factor has been irreplaceable. I support and commend the positions and messages that convey the spirit of institutional cooperation, commitment and action, free of nationalistic and conflicting rhetoric. They are expressions of the high responsibility of their contribution.
2008 will soon offer a new geo-political reality in our region. We are prepared for this. An independent Kosova, a state with all the characteristics of an internationally independent subject, which will be determinedly supported by Albania.
I re-enforced my conviction, especially after my visit there, that Kosova is very close to the proclamation of independence in close coordination with its international allies, that the number of countries that will recognize this new political subject will be considerable in the beginning and then it will gradually increase, that the Government of Kosova has given all the practical guarantees for the respect and preservation of national minorities, especially the Serbian one, that the independence of Kosova is the key to long-term and sustainable security in all the Western Balkans and attract foreign investors. The independence of Kosova is no longer a problem to be resolved – it is a Euro-Atlantic process which needs to be understood the right way, especially by its neighbors.
Albania will help for Kosova to overcome as soon as possible and successfully its challenge of being internationally recognized, strengthening its internal economic and political stability and becoming part of the regional integrating processes. Kosova is the last and politically still unresolved issue of an artificially build state, of a failed Yugoslavia – this is the ultimate triumph of democracy over the ruins or last throes of dictatorship in the region and this is the re-establishing of justice over wronged history.
President Bamir Topi’s speech held at the Forum on Albania’s 2008 Agenda on Domestic and Foreign Policy organized by the Albanian Institute for International Studies.
