Prime Minister Edi Rama appeared today at a press conference with the negotiating team for the opening of negotiations with the EU, where the two ministers Olta Xhaçka and the newly appointed chief negotiator, Majlinda Dhuka, were also present.
Rama declared that now the mission is for the country to gain respect in the technical aspect, after the political respect it received. He also praised former chief negotiator Zef Mazi.
"We are no longer in the conditions of an interaction with the intensity so far. It is fundamental that each of you guarantees with work, seriousness, the quality of materials, communications and interaction that Albania is viewed with respect at every step. I want to gain the respect that we have gained in the political aspect in the technical aspect. I want the Albanian team to create a positive impression in Brussels.
Most of you I have had the opportunity to know and appreciate the qualities and I have had the opportunity to see it in a certain progress. Some of the deputy ministers have been on this road since the beginning of time. The challenge is entirely new. It is important to emphasize that the appointment of the new chief negotiator underlines the changing nature of the relationship between us and the EU.
Mazi did a commendable and diplomatic job, being an important arm in this process, until the moment when it was decided to formally open negotiations. I was impressed by someone when the name of the chief negotiator came out, that I didn't get it. There are many people in our administration who cannot be found on Google, but without whom our administration would not function. They are part of the core of the state.
There are people who have been in office since the early 1990s. They have served the state modestly. If everything was left in the hands of those who come in and out like in their father's possessions, they would have a situation like after the earthquake.
It is necessary for each of you to have the vision of the whole and to see the extent of the map in the European legislation and the progress of the problems. It is important to create the sense of the team. All separate opinions lead us to a result, according to what we are able to give. We have our share in hand. We don't have the rest in our hands, but it depends a lot on us how fast we move", said Prime Minister Rama
The Prime Minister addressed the negotiating team that they should do their part themselves.
“E rëndësishme është të mos punoni si ishuj të izoluar nga njëri-tjetri. Secili ta ketë vizionin e së tërës dhe ta shohë hartën e shtrirjes së kësaj armate të vogël në territorin e legjislacionit euorpian, ecurinë dhe problematikat në këtë shtrirje. Të krijohet sensi i skuadrës, kemi një horizont përpara një qëllim të përbashkët dhe objektiva të përveçme, por që mblidhen bashkë. Kemi ne në dorë pjesën tonë, jo pjesën tjetër”, tha Rama.
Kreu i qeverisë iu drejtua duke thënë se gjatë këtij procesi do kenë dhimbje koke, por “do ndiheni shpresoj të nderuar që ju takon juve t’ju dhembë koka për një gjë që është kaq historike.”
"You will have headaches for the process, you will keep them and you will feel honored, I hope, that it is up to you to have headaches for something that is so historic and important for the country. It is a very important moment for your career and life as citizens of this country" , said Rama.