TIRANA, Nov. 3 – Albanian President Bujar Nishani announced this week plans to summon the National Security Council due to increasing concern over the spread of illegal marijuana growing and trafficking across the country.
In an open lecture with students of the University of Shkodra, Nishani said the high number of marijuana plantations is becoming a sensitive issue of national security.
“Cannabis causes crime. The crime was not born yesterday, but is progressing. There is organized crime in politics, economy and media,” Nishani said
“As a result of this phenomenon and the concerns raised by law enforcing agencies and intelligence units of Albania and its international partners, I have decided to summon the National Security Council to discuss about the issue and find a solution on how to address this serious challenge to our country,” Nishani added.
According to President Nishani, organized crime represents a major risk to the country and its citizens.
“If we allow the institutionalization of organized crime, then the country will face major problems,” Nishani said.
“There are many problems that impact the living standards, institutions and injustice in the justice system. Citizens are mostly discouraged when they see how organized crime is rapidly climbing and intervening in the ladder of decision making processes. This situation requires the inclusion of all actors,” Nishani added.
He explained that organized crime represents a serious challenge to Albania’s integration process and EU accession talks.
“If organized crime gets stronger, then the country’s EU integration becomes impossible,” he said.
Nishani’s statements were not welcomed by Prime Minister Edi Rama, who took to social media to respond to the president’s threat of summoning the National Security Council.
“Summoning the National Security Council for marijuana?! The Democratic Party’s National Council and their newsrooms must be summoned instead,” Rama wrote.
Nishani is a former high official of the main opposition Democratic Party and at odds with Socialist-led ruling coalition on many issues.
Earlier last week, former Prime Minister Sali Berisha warned that European Union will not open negotiation talks with Albania because the country has not met conditions and added that fight against cannabis is one of those terms.
