By Sali Berisha
I believe Italy’s role is rather important. Albania EU integration is serious and difficult process. The process should be based on merit. This is a vital process for the Albanians. A process based on the merit-approach implies the Albanians achieve the standards of the member countries which are concrete and determining. Let me give you some examples:
During 20 years time Albania got transformed from one of 3-4 poorest countries of the world into a country that got separated from the group of the poor. Italy’s solidarity has been important. FDI used to be banned by Constitution in Albania. Whereas, during the last 2 years we signed investments worth 5 billion euros with the major Italian companies.
4-5 years ago organized crime used to be a concern in Albania. But, at present, the criminality indicators are lower than the EU average. And Italy’s law enforcement agencies have provided an important help. Today, there is close cooperation between the two countries that narrows the space for organized crime and criminality. Albania is waging a tough fight to eradicate corruption in its efforts to achieve the standards. Albania used to have one of the ruined infrastructures of the third world. Cooperazione Italiana has helped with millions of euros so that Albania moves toward a modern infrastructure. Thus, Italy’s help has been addressed to Albania having an integration process based on merit. On the other hand, 20 years ago it seemed to me we were emerging from the dark half moon, quite unknown. Chancellor of Germany Helmut Kohl happened to be among the first I met and he spoke to me about the book “In Albanian world”, i.e. knowledge was slight. No one, but Italians know more this country, people and region. And in this context, Italian assistance and advocacy has been extraordinarily worthy. Present-day Albania is a NATO country and Italy has been at the top of efforts to promote Albania potentials and achievements in the integration process. Albania is in the threshold of an historical process for the nation, i.e. the free movement and every one is aware of Italian government and Minister Frattini tireless efforts. He has been at the top of these efforts. Next month in Sarajevo will take place meeting of foreign ministers, initiated by Minister Frattini; and this is to our advantage because it carries more attention on Albania and the region.
Thus, the Italian support is all-round and it targets the achievement of the standards. We are discussing Corridor 8 which connects the continents, Asia with Europe; it restores the traditional via of the market toward the West. Thus, I believe Italy role is extraordinarily important. The bilateral relations are excellent and I would like to thank the great friend Silvio Berlusconi. His European concepts have been extraordinarily important for Italy’s support to Albania integration. I thank Minister Fito whom I met 10 years ago and said he still remains the youngest minister of the Apennines. I would like to thank ambassador D’Elia as we are in the same boat in our effort to help the Italian entrepreneurs. The agenda is intensive, but we try successfully. Effort is one thing and success another. We are successful and we are proud of the job done and feel encouraged to do more. In this context, I take the opportunity of expressing gratitude to Italy for the great assistance given. There is a great Albanian community living in Italy, about half a million Arb쳥sh롡nd half a million emigrants. Arb쳥sh롣ommunity in Italy is part of our blood. More than 20 thousand students attend Italian universities; more than 22 thousand Albanian entrepreneurs exercise their activity, but they invest in Albania as well. I think that the relations are excellent and have a brilliant future.
