The Impact of the European Integration on Albanian Society: special guest Mrs. Britta Thomsen, Member of the European Parliament

On 12 November 2010, European Movement in Albania (EMA) organized the conference: “The Impact of the European Integration on Albanian Society: special guest Mrs. Britta Thomsen, Member of the European Parliament”. This conference was held in the framework of the project “Unity from Mobility”, implemented by European Movement International (EMI) with the support of the DG Education and Culture of the European Commission.

The meeting was opened by H. E Karsten Ankjaer Jensen, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Denmark in Albania, who underlined the importance of this historical week for Albania’s European perspective. Ambassador Jensen stressed that much focus has been put on visa liberalization and less on the Opinion on Albania’s Application for EU Membership. He underlined that visa liberalization is important but its practical importance has been blown out of proportion. Concerning this issue, it is important to understand that the fundamental requirements to enter the Schengen area haven’t change. Meeting the requirements for visa-free movement in the Schengen area such as a return ticket or sufficient financial means is very crucial to benefit from this opportunity. A particular attention in the ambassador’s speech was paid to the Opinion of the European Commission on Albania’s Application for EU membership. The Opinion is a comprehensive exam of the relations between Albania and the EU, exam in which unfortunately Albania failed. “Not that much in it should really come as a surprise for anybody. Much of what is criticized has been said for years, if not decades by the internationals. And have been ignored for as long as by the political class. Unlike Montenegro who got a Yes, No – Albania got a No, No”, underlined Ambassador Jensen. The main reason that Albania is penalized with a bad grade is the culture of the political class, which failed to build up democratic institutions. The European Commission transmitted a clear message aimed at changing the political behavior: said Ambassador Jensen. He concluded by saying that the accession in the European Union will not be possible if Albania will not be able to achieve the standards for which the political will is needed.

After expressing his appreciation for EMA’s initiative to organize a joint activity with the European Movement Denmark, Mr. Diogo Pinto, Secretary General of European Movement International (EMI), focused on EMI’s mission in the enlargement process. Mr. Pinto mentioned that EMI was established on the idea of Churchill for the creation of the United State of Europe, which rapidly became the ideal of EMI in the decades to follow. The encouragement of citizens’ participation in the political debate as well as in the decision-making process is a crucial element in the European Integration Process. The latter is a process that doesn’t finish with accession into the EU. He stressed that European integration implies that Albanian citizens should think and act like Europeans. Thus a particular contribution in this regard is provided by different projects in the field of exchange of experiences between neighbouring countries and beyond. “EMI will continue to contribute in this process, part of which we all are” concluded his speech Mr. Pinto.

President of European Movement Denmark Mr. Erik Boel during his speech he pointed out that in a large prospective, Albania has done lots of achievement. The joint project between the European Movement Albania and Denmark is a success story because it serves in the same time as enrichment in experience and strengthening of relations between them. Exchange of information and drawing lessons from personal experiences is a unique contribution that this project has brought. Europe is built on the basis of contacts. People to people and visa liberalization will intensify and promote more contacts between individuals. But based on the experience of Denmark during the accession into EU, Mr. Boel emphasized that an important element in the process of European Integration is informing the citizens on the consequences that this process will bring.

Mrs. Britta Thomsen, Member of European Parliament, Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats directed her speech on the connection between the visa liberalization and fight of human trafficking. After the entry into force of the Treaty of Lisbon, human rights took a major importance which is expressed in new legislative initiatives of the European Commission. Mrs. Thomsen underlined that human trafficking is a phenomena which must be fought from various state and non state actors. Taking prevention measures and strengthening the rule of law are the only instruments through which human trafficking can be tackled. Besides fighting against human trafficking an important element is the re-integration of the victims of human trafficking into the social and economic life of the country. Albania should draw lessons from the experience of other countries in this respect pointed out Mrs. Thomsen. She suggested that more attention should be paid to the participation in the different programmes which enhance the opportunity to profit from the positive records in the fighting against human trafficking.

The progress and the achievements of state institutions toward fighting against human trafficking were presented by Mrs. Iva Zajmi, Deputy Minister of Interior and National Coordinator for the Fight against Human Trafficking.  She pointed out that fighting against human trafficking is directly connected with the protection of freedom, human dignity and integrity. This is the reason that fighting against human trafficking is given a special attention from state structures. Unlike years ago when Albania was a country of origin and transit for the human trafficking, currently it is considered only as a country of origin. Mrs. Zajmi emphasized that this criminal offence grows at a time when law enforcement is weak. Therefore, authorities have worked towards the strengthening of law enforcement as a measure that would prevent this phenomenon. Currently the government has paid attention not only to fight against human trafficking, but to re-integration victims of trafficking. Besides sexual and international level exploitation, she suggested that in the future the focus should be also on other types of exploitation.

Mrs. Blerta Hoxha, policy researcher at EMA, focused on the fight against human trafficking in the context of the third block of the Visa Liberalization Roadmap, Security and Public Order. She emphasized that Albania has done significant steps in this respect although further reforms are necessary. Among these she underlined: the need for acceptance by all relevant state actors of the phenomenon of internal human trafficking, ongoing support to victims of trafficking after they leave the reception centers, addressing the registration problems of children and those living in a street condition, the need for better coordination between actors and reformation of the state social service as the most important.

In the end, the meeting was followed up by an interactive discussion between the panelists, students, representatives of civil society, universities and media.