TT: Your Excellency, this June you were appointed as ambassador of Greece in Tirana. What is your general assessment of Albanian-Greek relations in their political, economic and cultural dimensions?
The two countries have gone a long way of mutually beneficial relationship in almost every field. Each and every aspect of cooperation has developed constantly and gradually. Look at the energy, which is a test-case; having left the conventional clearing system of exchanges and the monopoly of the state organizations, we initiated the era of international biddings and contracts with both private and government companies inspired by the free-market approach. So investors, be it joint ventures, consortia and the like can offer what is needed at a competitive level. In short, we upgraded the energy relations, while at the same time we face the local needs, for instance energy shortages that have to be dealt with instantly; in this way other considerations of a rather political nature enter into the picture. This is quite important.
The conclusion is that apart from searching for more articulated relations between us, we have to improve the context of our understanding in every field, e.g in cultural matters, which bear an enormous significance for approaching each other.
TT: From the economic perspective, Greece has been one of the key foreign investors in the Albanian market. How would you evaluate the potential of further cooperation between the two countries in the economic field? Do Greek businesses view the Albanian market as one in which they can do business profitably
Both of us have proved to be good economic performers. The volume of trade is above 500 mn euros and the Greek investors contributed with more than 170mn euros. Tradesmen mean business and this is not feasible without profit .Investment and business leads to know-how transfer and this is very much needed. Sometimes a simplistic approach blurs the image. Take the example of telecommunications; leaving aside the high-tech equipment and the collateral construction works, as well as the huge investment required for such a risky domain, you need sophisticated vocational training and expertise here in Albania or in Greece or in other states. The trainees are qualified Albanian staff requiring further training abroad and more accurate upgrading; this represents a task for the company. This is precisely what is being done. Banking services follow suit and many-many others come after.
Without repeating myself, allow me to stress how one level of cooperation brings another, upper one: getting more people closer together.
Many Greek companies seem to be profitable; that ‘ s why they want to expand by responding to various invitations. Once they are established they follow the rules, they implement the Albanian laws and act accordingly. They are Albanian companies, not Greek. Invested money comes from Greece, but once invested here, it takes the shape of what local legislation provides for. When a person with a merit meets a company with money, the person will get money and the company will get experience and money alike.
As for the steps ahead of us, what we really aspire is to bring here more people with great potential. My understanding is that following a first stage in economic development, Albania is launching into a higher, more structural process requiring experience and investments in more strategic fields, like axes of transport, or transport of energy, lines of communication etc. Given the local possibilities and the knowledge offered by Greek partners, someone would reasonably expect to see further and deeper cooperation there, too.
TT: When debating Greek-Albanian relations, it is often quite difficult to separate myth from reality. Maybe scoop-seeking media is to blame, but probably not enough has been done by both governments to dispel misunderstandings in our conceptualization of our neighbors. Do you think that there is room for further action in this regard? More specifically, what can both sides do in order to create a more solid foundation for future cooperation?
Sometimes if the myth gets bigger than the man, the media print the myth. Anyhow , the scoop-seeking media existed every where, all time long.
It is right that everybody should do more. Old stereotypes are bypassed and old-style concepts expired. Although differences usually emerge among neighbors and do not relate to overseas friends, a lot can be done. With all due respect to the Press, it can not frame bilateral relations or be used as a pretext for making or postponing decisions. Newsmen know this . A piece of information can be good or bad, but without principles certainly it will never be anything but bad. I will agree that the phenomenon is a matter of governmental concern; you may have contacts, visits, consultations and the like. We can also organize meetings, conferences or even fund similar activities. So the problem can be eased, but not solved. If it is a matter of understanding, as it appears to be the case, things are not so simple.
At a first glance many upper-level people realize the need to adapt or change the approach vis- a- vis the other side. Cooperation matters and the mentality has to be rectified. In general terms, everybody speaks with niceties, but at the determining moment and at the middle( but equally determining) levels some reticence starts to develop and it spoils the process. Take a hypothetical scenario: both governmets’ levels are for a project and subscribe to its implementation. So far so good, but some white-collar staff members discover ”latent” difficulties, because of bureaucracy, or lack of confidence or even unfair speculation. At this moment things lose momentum, apprehension emerges and creeping mistrust developsŠThere is though a big BUT. It is the Balkan ”miracle”, or if you prefer the deus ex machina: the lower levels, the more pragmatic actors and the ones who live with their everyday experiences here, or the Albanians in Greece are the ones who know how to get things done; the ones who despite their individualism, live together and prosper. Look at middle Albanian businessmen in my country; they are all well-off and they keep doing well, despite hindrances. Have a look also at the Greek minority here, which beyond persisting difficulties , lives and works. The (business)man in the street, Greek and Albanian alike, is pretty cognizant of the great range of possibilities existing in almost all fields.
What really matters is that these very people know perfectly well that nothing between the two of us is impossible. I think these people know the way. What could be done is to make available more get-togethers, more man- to- man contacts and bring civil societies closer together.
TT: Politically, there exists an expectation in Tirana that Greece will be an advocate of Albania’s integration in the EU and, in fact, the performance of Greece during its presidency of the Union backed that assertion. How would you comment the stance of the Greek government towards Albania’s and, more in general, the efforts of West Balkan countries to integrate in the larger European family? Is there a difference between the Greek government as a neighbor to our region and, say, the governments of Northern members of the EU?
As for the Euro-atlantic process of Albania , no need to carry coal to Newcastle. There exists a clearly stated policy that the support of Greece has been offered quite a time ago, and it is worth to recall that the 2004 Thessaloniki Agenda remains the milestone for the European ticket of Albania and the other countries in the area.
We are well aware of existing problems and persisting shortfalls. Generally speaking, without stability and development in each country as well as at the regional level, the overall situation could be easily undermined: you should never ask for whom the bell tolls; your house could be equally affected. Apart from Greece’ s special interest in the Balkans, there is a European one, too. The area can never be decoupled from Europe’ s strategy. So, bilateral or national policies are complemented by the overall European framework. National positions towards any Balkan country considerably affect the shaping of the common European steps as far as the integration of these states is concerned. There are issues still pending and some governments have to reach higher benchmarks in their overall performance, be it minority rights, fighting corruption, settling differences etc.
Every case will be assessed on its own merits. It would be risky to mix apples and oranges, given that national performances differ in a huge variety of themes, varying from fiscal policy up to women’ s participation in public life.
TT: In your estimation, what are the greatest challenges of the Stabilisation and Association Agreement that Albania signed with the EU on June 12th 2006?
Following the signing of the SAA, the real great challenge that Albania will face is her contractual obligations to adopt and implement a new modus operandi in a series of issues. There would be a need to incorporate a whole legislation , to overhaul the private sector and reshuffle the administration . But the most crucial will be the necessity to convince yourselves that more efficient modes, less cumbersome procedures and new concepts have to be established and carried out. Anyhow the need to change a lot in the current thinking is the most difficult; to quit the old perceptions and to gradually start acting somehow differently. It is a matter of forging a new mentality, a cardinal matter in the collective psyche.
While reminding you that my country in the past had also to the heavy task running through similar paths, first before adapting and later adhering to the European Union, it is reasonable to offer a helping hand whenever needed, given that a lot of understanding and common ground exist between the two of us.
TT: The parallel process of NATO integration received a boost by last week’s visit of NATO Secretary General, Mr. Scheffer. How would you evaluate Albania’s progress towards NATO membership and where is there more work to be done?
Riga’ s Summit will hopefully send the right NATO message to the aspiring countries in the region. The visit of the Secretary General to Tirana stresses the Alliance’ s interest to see Action Plan for Albania fully implemented and further upgraded. Shortfalls never cease to exist, but the overall outcome will be crucial for a performance- driven decision. Restucturing the army and modernizing the equipment are invaluable criteria for reinforcing Albania’s way to the Atlantic structures. As for Greece, security and stability in the Balkans is of the outmost importance. Our participation in the NATO presence in Tirana is a proof of this concept. Apart from the intensive bilateral defense cooperation, the national efforts are complemented in view of the Albanian commitments to NATO, while we should not forget the major political criteria which, without doubt, matter.
TT: Many have pointed out that one of the greater impediments on Albania’s road to Euro-Atlantic integration is the ferocity of political struggles in this country. Do you think that this is a fair assessment?
It would be absurd to overlook each country’ s psyche and mentality. It is unreasonable to believe that great changes in how a society behave can take place overnight. None forgets that the Balkan and Mediterranean temperament are important ingredients in personal and collective reactions. Moreover, it is one of the reasons why time for adaptation is necessary. As stated before, you do not adapt just laws or administration, you need to change patterns of attitude in public( and why not?) and private life. This cannot but be reflected in the parliamentary life too. No doubt you gain more by convincing each other rather than acrimoniously speaking out and toughly standing up. However it is difficult to judge political behavior, since you should have an all- inclusive picture of the people, to get deep into the roots of the problems, even when certain patterns transgress, so to say, European standards. On the other hand, bona fide advice should not be dismissed, especially when it is offered by friends and partners. It is hard to judge human activity, let alone political struggles.
TT: On a more personal note, how do you feel about your ‘Albanian assignment’? How do you and your family find life in Albania?
Indeed, it is a great challenge. Now that Albania is entering a new era in both domestic policy, as well as on its way to the Euro-atlantic integration, Greece is asked to prove how much broader and deeper can bring bilateral relations with the ultimate aim of making them strategic and an exemplary pattern for the wider region. Sure, the means exist. Take the Greek Minority with its background and potential; it is an insurmountable parameter, a continuous stimulus for full-fledged cooperation in almost all fields. But what I would classify as the top challenge ahead of us is to promote at an optimum level the image we have of each other, among writers, businessmen, journalists and last but least youngsters who make up the new generation. These must be the driving force and hope of our efforts.
As for me, my children ‘ s age and studies make it difficult even for my wife to follow me. So, I am enjoying my stay here alone.
TT: Anything else?
Seizing today’s opportunity I would like to stress how much I hope and anticipate the media to assist us in conveying for my country the real image of what Greece means to Albania.
