Ambassador Helmuth Lohan: “We have noticed progress in the fight against organized crime but the measures taken against it should continue relentlessly”.
Mr. Ambassador, how serious is the Albanian government in implementing the SAA, while the parliaments of EU member states ratify it?
Albania has regularly fulfilled the obligations for trade in terms of the Interim Agreement. Thus, it has implemented the SAA, but there are other areas in which, by means of its legal procedures, it needs to consider more the obligations that come or will come from the SAA; such as issues related to the media, or tax administration. I believe the political class certainly understands the importance of the integration program and has the necessary will to turn, or has turned this programme into its own. Surely, the procedures for the road to integration are very complex and difficult and surely, they will themselves learn during the implementation of its terms.
Which are the areas where Albania has marked the clearest progress in terms of the fulfillment of the standards well-determined by the EU?
Albania has made progress in the area of trade relations. This is a very important fact; important for the Albanian economy and it is an important initial step towards making use of the powerful supply of the EU’s internal market. Albania is making progress in the economic area. We have seen a great number of legislatures that have been adopted in the last years that have helped in bringing Albania closer to the EU in terms of the standards required to participate in the internal market. I see a clear progress here, but I also see progress in the management of the Albanian economy.
The government says that it has successfully fought organized crime and illegal trafficking. Do you share the same optimism?
We have noticed progress in the fight against organized crime but the measures taken against it should continue relentlessly. Organized crime and corruption are important from two fundamental perspectives. First, they damage economic progress and Albanians’ welfare. Second, they affect the EU states’ perceptions about Albania. Recently, I saw in an important Belgian newspaper a two-page article concerning organized crime in Albania and its connections with Belgium. This certainly affects public perceptions and country image. We are trying hard to support these endeavours with assistance programmes.
In more concrete terms, what does this assistance of the EU for Albania consist of?
We are financing a programme that will help the Albanian police become more efficient in the fight against organised crime. It supports the police data communication system with a sum of 4.7 million euros. We will bring equipment for the transmission of police data. Another project of assistance for the police is the one currently being implemented and that will be extended via another contract at the end of 2007. This again consists of 4.7 million euros. The European tax-payer is investing in this area, but in order for this assistance to be translated into results, a great cooperation is needed from the benefiting Albanian authorities, the Ministry of the Interior and the Police. We are confident.
Among the main criticisms to the authorities is the need for reform of the judiciary. More concretely, what do they consist of and where are the changes to occur?
The judiciary reform is part of what we can call the rule of law. I would like to give you an example. In the recent report concerning deceit and corruption in the judicial system Albania was ranked among the countries where more than 30% of the citizens were obliged to give bribes to judges or officials of the judicial system in order to receive ‘fair’ treatment of their causes. Undoubtedly then, much work needs to be done with respect to the status, independence and constitutional protection of judges. For this sector also we have initiated assistance programmes to support the efforts that need to be undertaken.
The SAA demands the implementation of reforms in the area of property rights. It seems this issue is always at a standstill. Would you agree?
This is truly an area that needs intensive reforms. It is very clear that the legal procedures related to the right to property are fundamental conditions for a fully-functioning economy. Buyers and sellers need to know that the land they are buying belongs to someone. This is why, once again, the procedures in this area need to be accelerated in terms of the determination, the identification compensations, for the rights to property are fundamental for future development.
EU reports write optimistically on the achievements in the fight against corruption but ask for more rhythm and quality. What is your opinion Mr. Ambassador?
This is very true. The fight against corruption is not a fight that will end within a year. There is no doubt that there should be more consensus with regards to the actions that need to be taken. However, I would like to emphasise another aspect. We are all citizens who need to deal with public administration and its officials. Basically, corruption means giving money out of my pocket and vice versa; and this idea of good faith also means that citizens rely on the functioning of the institutions. Institutional functionaries are people and they ought not to feel the need for bribes. I think there are numerous things that need to move simultaneously such as the prevention of corruption, its repression but also a change in the general mentality.
EU leaders have criticized the greatly problematic climate between the ruling majority and the opposition. How would you explain this very delicate issue?
In my experience since last September, I have observed real difficulties in the political culture and especially during the local elections in February. I believe that the time has come for the political class to demonstrate that it is capable of reaching consensus on fundamental issues and that it is willing to show international observers that the impressions they may have created during the elections are not very accurate.
