In an interview, Australian Ambassador to Albania Michael Rann says he is keen to introduce Australian companies to Albania and its potential as well as help Albanian companies to be part of the Australian economic success story
Q: Ambassador Rann, how do you know Albania?
Answer: I must be one of the few Ambassadors to Albania who actually studied Albanian politics at University, when I was a student at Auckland University in New Zealand in 1973. And later, as a Member of Parliament, Minister and then Premier of South Australia, I met members of the Albanian community in Australia. Over more than a hundred years the Albanians have helped build our country. They are known as hard workers. And for many Albanian migrants and their children Australia has represented “opportunity warmed by the sun”. So I was delighted that I was appointed to be Ambassador to Albania along with my other duties in Rome. This is my third visit to you beautiful and welcoming country. I am confident that Albania has a strong future.
Q: Based on your long political diplomatic and academic career, what is your opinion about the situation in the countries of the northern Mediterranean, like Greece, Italy and Albania?
Answer: Obviously the global financial crisis has caused a great deal of difficulties in this part of Europe, with high unemployment, massive levels of youth unemployment and large levels of government debt. In Italy the Renzi government is trying to “unblock Italy” and reduce the red tape and bureaucracy that is holding Italy back. Italy has a Ferrari in the garage but needs to open the door and let it out. I think Albania scored a real coup last year when it was given “candidate status” to begin the process leading to accession talks to join the EU. There is a lot of hard work ahead with the EU telling Albania to rid itself of the scourge of corruption and organised crime that has held back Albania’s development. Albania has to now seriously address judicial and public service reform. This is crucial. But progress is being made and in addition to the campaign to join the EU, Albania is now talking to Asian countries like China and Singapore to help with its development. Engagement with Asia has been a great success for Australia. 78% of our exports now go to Asia, even though we have the strongest ties to the United States and Europe. Asian economic growth can also be good for Albania.
Q: Online advertisements in Albanian urge people not to try to illegally migrate to Australia. These appear to have been paid for by the Australian Government. Any comments on this?
Answer: Australia has for years been so welcoming of migrants and refugees from all over the world. But Australia takes a tough line against illegal immigrants who try to jump the queue.
Q: What are the interests Australia may have for this part of the world?
A: Australia is a great trading nation. We have had almost 24 years of continuous economic growth without a single quarter of economic downturn. We have a strong economy, strong government finances, low unemployment, high wages, high standard of living, and four of our cities are each year listed as in the top ten most liveable cities in the works. I am keen to introduce our companies to Albania and its potential. I want Albanian companies to be part of the Australian economic success story and Australian companies to be part of Albania’s development. It’s called economic diplomacy.
Q: You recently hosted a reception on the occasion of Australia Day, inviting key representatives of Albanian and and international institutions. What can be done to increase existing ties between Albania and Australia?
Answer: Albanian migrants to Australia are a natural base for this renewed friendship. I’d like to see more trade, more investment, more educational and tourism links between Australia and Albania. 812,000 Aussies go to Italy each year spending more than a billion euro in the Italian economy. Albania has stunning mountains and a beautiful coastline. More Australians should be encouraged to visit. And it would be great to see more Albanians coming to Australia to do business, study, visit and live. We are only a day away. It’s got to be a two way partnership.
Interview by Skënder Minxhozi.
Michael David Rann is Australia’s Ambassador to Italy, Albania, San Marino and Libya. He is also Australia’s Permanent Representative to the United Nation’s Food and Agriculture Organization and World Food Programme. He was the Australian High Commissioner to the United Kingdom from 2013 to 2014 and a former Australian politician who served as the 44th Premier of South Australia.
This interview appeared on page 7 of the Feb. 6, 2015 print edition.
