‘You’re in charge. We, the internationals are happy to assist if asked’

Story Highlights

• I have a weak spot for Albanian phraseology and I was baffled when I recently discovered a saying which is attributed to the Albanian statesman Faik Konica: Nuk behet Shqiperia me shqiptare (Albania cannot be built by Albanians). From this phrase – which of course has to be seen in its historic context having been created more than 100 years ago - it is a very short distance to the topic of today – the role of internationals in Albania. Now, 20 years later, Albania is a NATO member, a candidate for membership in the European Union starting EU negotiations hopefully next year, and its international and regional role has increased significantly. There are still enough challenges, from a polarised political landscape to corruption to weak institutions and massive social problems. I think that this country has the potential to address also these challenges. Albanians have shown in the past years that they can manage difficult situations. Or, as you say in your beautiful language: I zoti e nxjerr gomarin nga balta! – The owner/landlord pulls the donkey out of the mud! You’re in charge, you are the landlord. We, the internationals are happy to assist if asked. So that in the end Faik Konica will be proven wrong: Shqiperia po behet me shiptaret. (Albania is being built by Albanians).