In the context of the European week in Albania, the Spanish embassy, in collaboration with the Albanian Institute for International Studies, invited International and European Law Professor as well as former school friend of the current ambassador, HE , Andreu Olesti from the University of Barcelona, to give a couple of lectures in Albania. Mr. Olesti had never been here before he was surprised at the geographical proximity of Albania and Spain, their similar Mediterranean features. He spoke to Tirana Times about the integration challenges of Albania, his academic work in Spain and the contribution of the Bosman Act of Football* to the European feeling.
Albanian integration challenges
Albania is just at the start of the integration process,” Mr. Olesti stresses, “and a lot of work still needs to be done.” Despite being a professor of law, he agrees that the main challenges in the case of Albania will not be to adapt the legal package of thousands of pages but to implement it. The process affects all the sectors of the society and needs to be willingly adopted by all economic and social actors. Borrowing from Spain’s experience when an undisputable large political consensus and a social willingness to become part of the European family smoothed away the road to integration, Mr. Olesti explains the importance of will and persistence in the difficult and long way towards the EU. As far as internal EU attitudes towards enlargement are concerned, Mr. Olesti does not see them as determinant. Even when Spain entered there were sides pro and contra. No country has the luxury to have all on board. The important thing is that can be no red line denominating Europe’s border and no one can say, now we have reached the limit and it’s enough. We don’t know that limit yet.”
European Union
“The European union is always perceived as being in a crisis. Every 6-8years there is some fundamental issue that once again raises the debate about its life. But look at where we are now, 27 countries, some of them have even given up a strong currency to adapt the euro, something that would have sounded unbelievable 20 years go,”- Mr. Olesti says. On the topic of the European constitution he does not see the current disputed version as something that will be approved soon, but recognizes the need to support a powerful binding instrument of this nature.
On football and culture
According to Mr Olesti a big fan of not only his city’s club, the well-known Barcelona, but also of Liverpool, football is an integral feature of Europe’s culture. The Bosman Act that allows players of diverse nationalities in one tem has done more for a shared European feeling than many laws taken together. Now aficionados across the border line up to see their favorite team and it is no uncommon for Spaniards to be dedicated fans of Arsenal, Milan or Chelsea.
Similarly the exchange program in the education and culture fields should be made priority even in the case of Albania so that people know each-other, their values and experiences and learn to appreciate diversity. Talking about Spanish movies, Olesti says that for example Almadovar, the most famous director, “addresses universal issues by appealing to local aspects.”
Impressions from a first visit
When he landed in the modern terminal of Mother Teresa Airport, Mr. Olesti knew that he had to readjust his expectations. He found the standard features of a country on the Mediterranean: good weather lost of people in the streets enjoying the sun. During his short visit, in between a lecture on the challenges of integration and a seminar on Spanish education system realized in cooperation with the Albanian Institute for International Studies, he found time only for a brief visit to Kruja. Hence the law professor might be back to enjoy the rest of the country that he once thought was so different and far way from Europe.
* Jean-Marc Bosman brought his famous action when his club RFC Liege refused to allow him to join French side Dunkerque because they could not agree a transfer fee, even though the player’s contract had expired. Consequently, players were allowed to move for free after their deals were completed and restrictions on the number of players from different EU countries were also scrapped.
