In Albania, the Opposition is rebelling against the government. Germany supported nevertheless, a possible accession to the EU, as Minister of state Roth at the DW confirmed Interview.
Despite violent riots in Albania, the German government considers the EU accession talks with Albania. The German Minister of state at the Federal foreign office, Michael Roth confirmed that in the DW Interview. Most recently it was this past weekend in the Albanian capital Tirana to riots. Molotov cocktails, firecrackers and paint bombs were thrown against the office of Prime Minister Edi Rama and the Parliament building. The Opposition accuses the government of crime and corruption, and calls for new elections. The protests on hold since February. The Interview with Michael Roth led Anila Shuka in Berlin. Roth had previously spoken with the acting foreign Minister of Albania, Gent Cakaj, about the crisis in the country.
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Several injured in protests against Prime Minister Rama in Tirana
Again and again supporters of the Albanian go-African Opposition to the streets to demand the policy for the head of government Rama. They accuse the socialists of electoral fraud and corruption. The Protest is peaceful. (14.04.2019)
DW: a year Ago, Albania has received from the European Union, the promise that in June 2019 accession talks can begin. This will happen, or the decision will be postponed to September?
Michael Roth: We are, of course, to the EU-accession perspective of Albania and the Western Balkans. We should adhere to our Commitments. We have given a year ago in June, Albania homework.
Albania’s Prime Minister Rama, German Chancellor Angela Merkel on the West-Balkans summit at the end of April in Berlin.
I have the impression that Albania has done this homework: judicial reform, fight against organised crime, against drug smuggling, the construction of a modern administration. Since there has been significant progress. I’m going to say, even to the extent that there is probably no country that has already done prior to the start of accession negotiations as many house tasks. Of course, there’s still a lot to do, but I am optimistic that on the basis of clear criteria that have been met, a positive debate on the opening of accession negotiations, Albania.
The partially violent protests by the Opposition will play no role in it?
Criticism is normal in any vibrant democracy, but violence as a means of politics is absolutely unacceptable. And we are very concerned about the internal political situation in Albania, also about the responsibility of the Opposition for the violence. I expect that the Opposition of their responsibility for democracy. It is not at all to understand how you can make a Parliament Boycott, as you can locally to boycott elections. The Parliament is the place where critical debates belong. You can not escape this responsibility.
Violence in the Albanian capital Tirana last weekend, the police uses tear gas.
I sometimes have the impression that the Opposition has absolutely no interest in a EU perspective for Albania, and that it operates here, an irresponsible policy of obstruction on the backs of the people of Albania. This is not acceptable. And once again: If citizens criticize their government, members of Parliament, then of course it is. So something needs to be taken seriously. None of us is talking about the situation in Albania is beautiful. But these excesses of violence, which may not be normal, neither in Albania, nor elsewhere in Europe.
Your attitude pushes many Albanians lack of understanding. After all, the Opposition accuses the Prime Minister, with the help of organized crime, votes bought. Have you exercised during your Meeting with the acting foreign Minister Cakaj pressure that these cases be prosecuted?
If, as I and my government, for the rule of law, of course, must find that the rule of law in practice. This has to do with pressure at all. But it is the Albanian justice is the responsibility, of course, to assume their responsibilities. Un appropriate allegations must
Michael Roth and the acting Minister of foreign Affairs of Albania, Gent Cakaj, in Berlin in March.
be informed on. And that is a clear expectation that we have, of course, to Albania. But here’s the Alba is less government in the duty, but the Albanian judiciary, which is independent. Which means: influence from the outside is difficult to imagine.”
This means that Albania may soon expect with the start of the accession talks?
I will work to ensure that we can start accession negotiations. Because I am of the opinion that Albania has fulfilled all of his homework. The European Union should stand by its Commitments. But this is not a matter of course. We are all aware of the controversy. We should, however, remain fair, we should decide on the basis of facts and we should never forget that peace and stability in the Western Balkans are of great interest for Germany but also for the European Union.