Policy forum – 12 key priorities for Albania: Where do we stand?

On 15 November 2011, EMA in cooperation with Friedrich Ebert Stiftung (FES) organized the policy forum on “12 key priorities for Albania: Where do we stand?” as a follow up of the publication of the EC Progress Report launched few weeks earlier. This policy forum brought together three EU member states Ambassadors, representing the last, the current and the upcoming EU Presidency. The event focused upon the analysis and discussions on Albania’s current stalemate on EU integration process and possible options how to overcome it.

The meeting was opened by the welcome speech of the Director of FES for Tirana, Mr. Michael Weichert, expressing his gratitude for undertaking such an initiative that contributed in strengthening the public debate on the Albania’s European Integration process. The first guest speaker who started the policy forum among other distinguished panelists was the Ambassador of the Republic of Hungary in Albania, H. E. Mr. Janos Huszar.

A particular topic he touched upon during his speech was the best examples coming from the region, as a useful tool through which Albania should learn. According to him, a positive case which might be taken into consideration is the Croatia’s path towards EU, largely considered as a success story. Referring to the EC last assessment, Serbia was another positive example concerning the efforts as well as a substantial progress demonstrated in terms of fulfilling the required reforms. Another important issue during the Ambassador’s speech was improvement of the Albania’s image related with the commitments undertaken in the framework of the EU integration process. He stressed the significance of this latter as a way for Albania to get the necessary support from the EU member states to move forward on its path towards the EU.

H. E. Mrs. Irena TatarzyÅ„ska, Ambassador of Poland in Albania, presented the view of Polish EU Presidency on the internal political dialogue as a precondition for the EU accession. She highlighted the fact that Poland, as well as Albania, had undergone from the communist regime to a democratic system. However, in the case of Poland this process was characterized by smooth transformations and dialog between the main political actors. Same path was also pursued afterwards in undertaking significant reforms during the EU integration process. The Ambassador pointed out that even though there was an active debate on this process, the results of the referendum revealed that the share of population pro EU was the highest among other EU member states. She concluded her speech by stressing that due to the strong willingness and sustainable political dialogue, the public debate shifted from “if…” to “when…” are we obtaining the EU membership. This transformation would have been impossible without the internal political dialogue, which is fundamental for the European prospective of the country.

H. E. Mr. Karsten Ankjaer Jensen, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Denmark in Albania, used the symbolic of the chaotic traffic situation in Albania as a mirror of the structure and organization of our society. In this regards, he highlighted the importance of the political elite as a catalyst of changing the social behavior and attitudes. According to the Danish Ambassador, leadership is not only about telling people what to do but it is about showing them how to do it by being an example for others to follow. Furthermore, he mentioned that the EC last assessment demonstrated that Albania was not ready yet to be part of EU, not even to be a candidate for membership. By concluding his speech, Mr. Jensen pointed out that: “it is important that attitudes and habits can be changed. In principle: from one moment to the next. It is a question of will. The will to change. If the Albanian people show the will and the courage to demand change, it might be the greatest step of all towards EU-membership.”

The speeches held by the Ambassadors were followed by an interactive debate session during which the participants shared and discussed their point of views concerning the setbacks accompanying the European integration process of our country.

This policy forum was moderated by the Executive Direct of EMA, Mr. Gledis Gjipali.

Media coverage of the event can be found at EMA in the Media section.