With a decision on Albania’s EU candidate for membership status approaching next month, Tirana Times’ Andi Balla interviewed the head of Germany’s Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung Foundation in Tirana, Frank Hantke, who says Albanians need some motivation after having failed to advance their bid several time, as they are now starting to ask questions regarding the country’s European future.
Why is it important that the EU grants Albania candidate status next month instead of waiting for more achievements from the country?
I believe there will be not that much difference between a positive decision in June or some months later. There is a clear interdependency between a positive decision and more achievements in the country. Obviously if the country gets the candidate status it will be more motivated for the next steps. Therefore I think it is necessary to give the status as soon as possible. Then people can prove the seriousness of their politicians – in government and opposition – with their vocal efforts.
Is Albania ready for the status and opening negotiations?
Yes and No! I think that Albanians showed enough enthusiasm to EU to get the candidacy status now. And they need some motivation now after having failed already several times. Of course there are many problems to be solved even before negotiations. But these are two different steps. It is like in the figurative comparison. Albanians now are standing in front of the garden of the European House. They don’t really know what is behind the closed door. They will get a much better idea of the European House when they are allowed to enter the garden. The next step is the open door of the house itself. This means that the negotiations only will show all problems and deficits very well but also the concrete needs and solutions to be made. The negotiations are the real challenge – not the candidate-status.
What would it mean to Albanians if a decision on the status is once more delayed?
First of all we will have the “normal accusations”. Government will accuse opposition, opposition will accuse government – of course with no result except the problem that dialogue even becomes more difficult. Maybe a success will be more helpful because there would be no use of accusation – but also not for self-adulation. A success should be taken as start for more dialogue. For the Albanians a negative response might be interpreted in their own perception that Europe does not want Albania as a member any more. This would lead to frustration and – maybe – to a behaviour that from that moment on nothing does not matter any longer. The EU-track always was a very strong guide for necessary changes in the country.
Does the status matter at all at this point, since, after all, this step is mostly a symbolic gesture?
Following the former arguments of course the candidate status is not only a symbolic gesture. Facing the next challenge, the negotiations, it would show to politicians much more concretely what they have to realise then – and would give the citizens much better tools for proving their politicians whether they really mean what they always say. So the candidate-status is the necessary first step for the next one. Without the first step nobody really is pressed to think on the second one.
Albania faces a very long journey to EU membership, a decade or more, and many EU citizen are growing hostile to the EU itself in general and enlargement in particular. Does it still make sense for Albanians to pursue membership with the fervour they have so far?
Oh yes! I don’t want to talk about the “EU-frustration” on a very high level now. Ask people from any part of the world. They all will tell you that they dream about a political construction like the EU. Inside of the EU too many people might have forgotten the achievements of the last 50 years. Let me use another figurative comparison. In Europe, we all invested a lot to bring the “airplane EU” to a big height. But now some people are complaining that we still have to use fuel to keep the plane in this height – they do as if we never can fall down again. And they do not imagine what a fall-down would mean for Europe. I think Albanians know very well the advantages of being a member of the European family – especially after having been so isolated for decades before.
Albania is poor by European Union standards. It faces problems with rule of law that require a shift in the mindset of the entire society. Its image in Europe is very bad and often associated with organized crime. The country’s religious makeup is different from the majority of the EU. Can Albanians really hope to one day feel as equal EU citizens with the likes of wealthy northwestern Europeans?
Please try to start this question from the opposite side. Please mention all the good things of Albania first. The aim of Albania should not be continuing the attitude of a beggar knocking at the EU-door in vain. I have to agree that Albania’s image in the EU is not the best. But instead of excusing only, Albania also should mention its important contribution for the EU – especially in some very crucial issues. The Albanian foreign policy for example is a very good contribution in the region – much better than the one from other neighbouring countries. The religious tolerance is unique in the region and a very good example for the whole EU. (By the way: you will find more women with headscarves in Berlin than in Albania!) Additionally, Albania could become a valuable part of the EU for example as an interesting touristic area, as a regional green energy producer, etc. I do not forget the recent problems and deficits but please we also shouldn’t forget the possible added value for the EU.
The EU membership should also be seen as a result of internal reforms, this means all steps – from candidacy till membership – should be seen as a challenge to develop the values of the country too. I strongly believe in a future situation when Albanians are equal EU members – maybe not in the same way like others because I still think that each country has to keep its own style and should be proud on it.
