For a true partnership with the United States, Albania must do more to implement the U.S. values it admires.
TIRANA TIMES EDITORIAL
The week before this newspaper’s publication was marked by several activities commemorating the 20th anniversary of the re-opening of the U.S. Embassy in Tirana on Oct. 1, 1991. Tied to the commemoration were a street fair attended by thousands of Albanians, a reception with the country’s political and social leadership and an international conference that explored the future of the U.S.-Albania relations.
In each of these events, U.S. representatives in Tirana made a clear effort to speak to Albanians directly. In a country where common people are increasingly frustrated with a political class perceived to be jeopardizing the country’s future for short-term political gain, the message is simple: As a good friend, the United States can show Albanians the road to success, but it cannot walk it for them.
And twenty years after the end of communism in Albania and the re-establishment of ties with the United States, the American recipe remains the same: freedom, democracy and rule of law work. If applied properly, they will move Albania forward as a prosperous nation.
Albania’s relations with the United States are strong, and Albanians remain one of the most pro-American people in the word. But if Albania wants to have a true partnership with the United States in the future it must first set its house in order and get back to the basics. Albanian politicians must not solely profess these basic values, but put them in practice.
As Elez Biberaj, one of the top experts on U.S.-Albanian relations puts it: “The United States has made substantial political and economic investments toward Albania’s democratic development. Yet despite this unwavering commitment toward Albania’s democratization and prosperity, it is clear that Albania’s future success and growth will depend on the ability and willingness of its political leaders to put aside their narrow interests. For in the final analysis, it will be Albania’s leaders who must take responsibility for tackling the myriad uncertainties and daunting challenges that their country faces.”
These are the same challenges Albania faces in its aspiration for European Union membership.
In fact, developing substantial relations with the United States helps Albania prepare for EU membership, just as developing and deepening relations with the EU and its member states does not in anyway hinder the good relations with the United States. They are not in anyway mutually exclusive.
At the end of the day, in a world where true friends are not easy to come by, the U.S. says it is intent to support a free prosperous Albania, with a strong and vibrant democracy that addresses the aspirations of its citizens.
If the events of last week succeed in rekindling even some of the enthusiasm Albanians had for American values 20 years ago, they can hopefully provide some assistance in pushing the country’s leaders to take a step back from Albanian politics as usual and start to move the country forward.
