By LUFTI DERVISHI
Prime Minister Edi Rama’s statement in London that Albania is ready to take the place of Great Britain if the latter decides to leave the EU following their referendum was, surprisingly, not taken into consideration by the international media.
First, this statement proves that Albania supports the EU not only on good days, but also on the tough ones. As the age old Albanian proverb laments, “hard times will always reveal true friends.” Look how Albania is now so generously ready to prove her loyalty to her troubled continental neighbors.
Throughout the decades since its creation, the European Union has faced various challenges. Bearing this is mind, is it not true that the current issues, which are the worst ones since the World War II: economic crashes, refugee crisis, the Middle East in disarray, terrorism threats, British referendum, Greek collapse etc. are easily borne problems?
Albanian’s selfless decision to take the UK’s place also guarantees that there will be no change in the size of the European Union. Which has been a rather contentious issue among the fickle- minded member states in recent times. The mighty Union has 28 members, and it will continue to have 28. If the British would prefer to remain like a self sufficient snail on their lonely island – it’s their own business.
Second: This exchange of countries will not, in anyway, result in a dip in the quality of the European Union. Unlike our neighboring EU friends who are struggling to keep their affairs in order, the Albanian economy, according to the Albanian Minister of Economy, is dynamic and even experiencing sustainable growth. The financial power of the European Union without Britain and with Albania, would not only not be shaken, but it could even continue to grow further.
Also, the power and military capabilities of the European Union can expect to expand considerably with Albania’s replacement of the United Kingdom. Besides its own navy, Albania can without doubt replace the navy of British Lion, with the added help of our powerful ally Kosovo’s naval fleet. The military power of the European Union will be unstoppable thanks to the huge air fleet Albania possesses since the Soviet Union era. The Albanian Ministry of War immediately canceled the auction selling the fleet composed of MIG aircraft as it is intended that it will replace the UK’s air fleet after it leaves in June.
Third: Even when it comes to transatlantic relations, Britain’s exit and Albania’s entry is favorable. What other country in Europe would the big shots in the White House prefer to see replace Britain? While it is true that the UK, an ally that has long enjoyed a “special relationship” with the US will leave, its departure will soon be forgotten with the addition of Albania, the most strategic partner of them all.
In relation to education, sure it is true that the EU will lose some impressive universities but talk of Cambridge and Oxford will be soon be scoffed at by snooty students when modern, innovative and inspiring Albanian universities such as UFO University and Talent University begin to set the world of EU academia alight.
Albania, just like Britain, enjoys its own currency, thus guaranteeing much needed stability within the Eurozone. The Euro will not be affected! Of course the momentous occasion, Albania’s qualification for Euro 2016, will make the British departure less painful for any of our new EU counterparts that are finding it difficult to cope.
The BBC will be missed, but its position and influence will be seamlessly replaced by the 56 TV channels Albania has to offer.
The absence of British diplomacy also cannot be considered as a loss because the vacancy will be perfectly replaced by Albanian diplomacy backed by the other significant players in world affairs such as Kosovo, Western Macedonia, as well as Presheva, Bujanoci, and Medvegja.
We have finally reached the point that highlights what the Union wins the most of all from this swap. A European leader like David Cameron leaves, but soon after, he will be replaced by Edi Rama, “a world leader” as Serbian Prime Minister Aleksandar VuÄić once called him.
With the replacement of Britain by Albania, the ranking of the union at the summit table undergoes a change. The head of the table belongs to Albania as its name starts with A.
Britons now have one less weapon in negotiations with Brussels. Nobody can say that they are irreplaceable!
Last but not least, the EU itself cannot continue to blackmail Albania, requiring a new justice reform to open negotiations.
It is very clear that Britain’s replacement with Albania, if we use a jargon from football language, is simply a “head to head” !
