Tirana Times
TIRANA, MArch 15 – In a recent interview with Tirana Times, the Ambassador of Italy to Albania, HE Massimo Gaiani, took the opportunity to emphasize the differences between the Greek and Italian financial woes, and shared his hopes and initiatives for the Albanian-Italian dynamic.
Tirana Times: What is the current state of affairs in the relations between Italy and Albania? Does the difficult financial situation in Italy affect its relations with Albania?
Ambassador Gaiani: The relations between Italy and Albania have always been privileged, and today I can say they are excellent, considering the closeness of the two countries, not only on the geographical, but also on the social, economic and political levels. The two societies share the same sympathy and a large community of Albanian citizens live in Italy. Unfortunately, we live today in a difficult international situation and Italy, after an initial complex phase, has now undertaken the correct path, agreeing to hard sacrifices that will turn into effective results, if pursued with a positive attitude. I am therefore certain that the hardness of the crisis and the momentary difficulties will not affect our excellent relations.
Tirana Times: From repeated national polls and studies it is clear that Albanians see Italy as a privileged neighbor and consider the partnership between Albania and Italy very important. What would you say is the view from the other side? Does Italy have a strategy for the future of the relationship with its eastern neighbor?
Ambassador Gaiani: The association between Italy and Albania is very special and can be considered a “unicum”. Therefore, the definition “privileged neighbour” well describes the depth of their bond. In this respect I wish to recall that, in February 2010, the two Prime Ministers signed a “Joint declaration on a Strategic Partnership”. It frames in a uniform way the wide variety of relations linking the two countries, including the Italian support to the integration of Albania in the EU. We work together on the UN and the multilateral issues, as well as the fight against terrorism and organized crime, the economic, cultural, scientific and development cooperation, the social interchange and the dialogue with local authorities. This is understandably a broad project, involving entirely the two countries in shared initiatives and projects, with an approach based on mutual respect and collaboration.
Tirana Times: A large community of Albanian migrants lives in Italy, most of them well integrated in the society. How much of an asset do you believe this community is for both our countries?
Ambassador Gaiani: The presence of more than 500.000 Albanian citizens in Italy helps to reinforce the idea of “privileged neighbour” and, consequently, it underlines the strategic partnership between our two countries. Looking besides figures, in my opinion, it is important to consider the number of Albanians who have established business activities in Italy. There are 30.000 enterprises owned by Albanians, all over our country. This is a substantial figure showing that the Albanian community is entrepreneurship oriented, with a great potential of creativity which can be finally and fully displayed, after many years of totalitarianism. The development of the business activities by Albanian citizens in our country mirrors Italian investments in Albania. Both contribute to reciprocal lasting relations. Furthermore, the Albanian community in Italy is well integrated: many Albanians have found an occupation and their children attend all levels of schools on a regular basis; many young people enter our universities, accomplishing a complete integration in our society. It is worth a mention that in the last years thousand of people have acquired the Italian citizenship, a further evidence of the deep integration process in progress. I can confirm that Italy is a generous country welcoming those willing to work and give a positive contribution.
Tirana Times: What is the impact of Prime Minister Montia’s technical government on Italy? Does Italy have a long term strategy to prevent situations like the one that is currently evolving in Greece from happening in the future?
Ambassador Gaiani: Italy is presently administrated by a technical government supported by the majority of the political parties, with a wide agreement endorsing its activity. It is a fact that nowadays the economic crisis, and consequently the partnership with Europe, are the priorities on which the action and efforts of the ministers are focused. We wish that the end of this critical phase be close at hand, in order to look at future perspectives. Similarly, I am looking forward to the visit of Ministers and representatives of the Italian government to Albania, to reinforce and consolidate the well-established relationship within our two countries. It is well known that Italy has entered a virtuous phase as far as the current economic crisis is concerned. The Italian economic situation is different from that of Greece, to which you have made reference, by far. We should not forget that the crisis has a financial origin, consequence of strong speculative activities. Our country is certainly indebted, but, on the other hand, the private savings are very solid, balancing the debt, which is maintained mainly by the same Italian citizens. Furthermore, Italy is doing its part, as recognized by our international partners, to overcome once and for all the risk that the process of European integration, which produced richness and welfare in almost every country in Europe, could be jeopardized.
Tirana Times: It seems that Mr. Monti is having a lot of support from the outside unlike the government in Greece. He has also started important reforms. Does this reflect on the current level of support for the government in the domestic public opinion?
Ambassador Gaiani: Monti’s government, featuring high profile members, not directly linked to political parties, is supported by almost every political group. They are expressing a high sense of responsibility facing the seriousness of the present situation, gaining their credibility in the establishment of this government and in their reforming activity. They are implementing all the necessary reforms required of Italy by the European institutions also in the past. Besides, what enforces Monti’s government is also a wide consent by the people who, aware of the fact that they will have to face heavy and long-lasting sacrifices, are nonetheless fully supporting the Government. Such a synergy of intents makes the Italian situation deeply different from the Greek one.
Tirana Times: How do you see the current political situation in Albania and the implications it might have on the country’s aspirations to EU integration?
Ambassador Gaiani: I believe, in this particular moment, that it is fundamental for the Albanian politics to go on with the dialogue on the reforms, in a shared common reliance. I have already said that Albania has to face a challenging course to move towards the European Union, result of a common effort between majority and opposition. These reforms are, moreover, necessary for the economic growth and for the creation of profitable conditions for foreign investments, and for the improvement of the well-being of the Albanian citizens. In this sense the reforms are not a whim of the EU, but they will be a benefit for every Albanian. To Italy and the other European countries, which have been fully accomplishing this task for many years, the integration is not a goal acquired once and for all. It is a step by step process, with its standstills and its good phases. This represents a new approach, to be also pursued in Albania, so that the advancement towards Europe will not be seen as an unfair imposition by the bureaucracy.
Tirana Times: What is the level of economic cooperation between Albanian and Italy? Would you say that Italy considers Albania an important outside market and a springboard for accessing other eastern markets?
Ambassador Gaiani: The presence of Italy in Albania is generally relevant. Italy is the main investor in the country, present in various important fields, from the traditional manufacturing companies to the strategic field of energy. Italy has invested much in Albania, in various forms, and someone could object that the profits do not balance the investments. I would like to answer to this opinion underlying that the development of Albania in these last years is an important factor to Italy. A steadily growing neighbour is fundamental for Italy. It is obvious that Italy is the main commercial partner and investor in some fields of specialized technologies, such as machineries, and in the development of local infrastructures, from railroads to roads and energy, the last representing the most strategic sector in Albania. The total amount of the potential Italian investments in the field is about 3 billion Euro, that is a significant figure giving credit to the Italian attention to this market. I think we shall reinforce the mutual relations and promote important achievements in the energy field, as well as support the establishment of big companies, capable to face such an important challenge. A continuative commitment in this sense, together with a good and honest mutual collaboration will help to make Albania a starting point for the Italian, as well as the Albanian interests, towards the markets of Eastern Europe.
Tirana Times: In what ways does Italy support Albania’s integration process to the EU?
Ambassador Gaiani: As it is widely known, Italy has been the closest ally of Albania in the perspective entry into the EU. We have been for a long time on the front line to go along with and support our Albanian friends along this path. Furthermore, the present Italian Minister of Foreign Affairs has expressed himself frankly and clearly in this sense, reminding his European colleagues of the importance of a quick entry of Albania into the EU. I believe we will need to go on with our efforts, with firmness and commitment, but with no haste, as the stability of the institutions needs to be taken into due account. Albania has improved appreciably in the last twenty years ad it is necessary that this country moves on with no exhaustion and discouragement.
Tirana Times: What are some of the most important joint projects in the area worth mentioning in the field of culture?
Ambassador Gaiani: The cultural closeness of our two countries has appeared in times through many initiatives and activities, more frequent in the last years. Among others I wish to mention the impulse to the diffusion of the courses of Italian all over the country with, for example, more than one thousand students taking part to the CELI 3 exams. Worth a mention is also the promotion of the Italian design, popular all over the world, of movies and theatre, of music and concerts, organized on a regular basis in Tirana, Vlora and in other towns. These represent parts of the Italian culture, considered by the Albanians close to their sensibility and followed with the greatest attention. Finally, a great importance is given to the diffusion of the Albanian culture in Italy: in the centennial of the Albanian independence I wish to mention an exhibition on the ancient Illyrian civilization that will take place at the Monument dedicated to King Vittorio Emanuele II in Rome. Our duty is to make the two shores of the Adriatic Sea closer and closer, in order to favour the common knowledge of the two cultures and the friendship of our two countries.
