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Rama interview for the Dutch media: The war is the third chance for the EU

2022-07-06 12:15:33Politikë SHKRUAR NGA REDAKSIA VOX
Rama interview for the Dutch media: The war is the third chance for the EU
Edi Rama

Prime Minister Edi Rama gave an interview to the Dutch media 'Volkskrant', where he spoke about the European Union, Albania's progress in this process as well as the relationship with the Netherlands. 

The complete text of the Dutch media
Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama, visiting Prime Minister Rutte, said that he has long felt blocked by the Netherlands as a candidate for membership in the European Union. Now he sees great opportunities for cooperation.

"The Dutch know how to 'kill' you softly" - says Edi Rama (58 years old), who, like Mark Rutte, is a veteran of European politics, since he has been competing at the highest level for almost ten years. policy making. He has also experienced and witnessed the time when NATO faced very great difficulties during the time of President Trump. But this is where the similarity between the two ends: for seven consecutive years, Rama fought for the recognition of his country as a candidate for EU membership, and in several cases encountered the Dutch blockade. And yet the feud is the last thing that can weigh on Rama's heart, on the contrary: Rutte and Rama have gained the utmost respect for each other and will launch a joint plan in the coming months to promote President Emmanuel Macron's idea of a 'political community'. (which unites EU countries). with non-member states.

"It was Mark who suggested it. For the first time, an EU member and a non-EU member will work together on the future of Europe. This brings two extremes together. We had to go through all the rings of hell to get to the heart of this country and Mark Rutte", says Rama during a conversation at Hotel Des Indes. "But now he's taking steps forward and that's fantastic. The result of a very tough love.'

In 2020, the light was finally given the green light for the accession negotiations that North Macedonia (application for candidate status: 2004) and Albania (application for candidate status: 2006) must complete before joining the European Union . But for the past two years, the actual start of these negotiations, a process that also takes years, has been blocked by Bulgaria. Now a breakthrough appears to be on the horizon.

"Great literary novels can be written about the enlargement of the EU"

"Samuel Beckett has already done this: he wrote 'Waiting for Godot'. The case of North Macedonia and Albania is a case of art imitating real life. We are like Vladimir and Estragon, waiting for Godot. At the right moment, Vladimir says to Estragon, "Shall we go?" The answer: "Let's go." And then no one moves. (laughs) This is the European Union" - says Rama.

A certain number of politicians from The Hague have explained to you that your country still needs to take some steps forward.

"It was a difficult road, but this attitude has helped us to take revenge by running even faster. So we proved that we were much better than they believed. This is my consolation. But EU policy is increasingly being determined by national selfishness. It matters less and less what you do, and more and more how others feel when they make a decision. And there is always a place that objects. The Bulgarian opposition to North Macedonia is the most open example. The Dutch know how to 'kill' you softly, but with Bulgarians it's not a soft death." (laughs)

How does this 'soft' Dutch variant work?

"Then they tell us that you are not ready, because they themselves are not ready, and this story goes on forever. Then you have to be patient and force yourself to a revival every time. Of course, when the European Commission twice gave positive suggestions, after which those suggestions ended up in the mill of national interests in the Council, it was very disappointing. Now our relations with the Netherlands are excellent. The respect we get now was unimaginable for us a few years ago. At that time we felt really squeezed and unwanted."

Could the fear of an EU that is too big also play a role?

'Of course it is! If the EU is neurotic with 27 in number, how will it work with 33 countries? With six Balkan countries, the craziest in Europe? Like everyone has a veto. I understand this point, and when you see a country that works as well as the Netherlands, you understand. What kind of family would function if the grandparents, parents, children and grandchildren at the table all had equal power and the grandchildren a veto? This is impossible.'

You support Macron's idea of ​​a political community outside the EU.

"I am a big supporter. Because even though we are not yet members of the EU, we are Europeans. They cannot decide this in Berlin or The Hague. The EU is the only political entity in history with external borders and internal borders. The entire Western Balkans lies within these internal borders. Like your stomach can't communicate with the rest. Each country must find its own way to the EU, but collectively we must be more connected."

What should the EU do with Serbia, a candidate member, which has just signed an oil contract with Russia?

"Be very careful and don't blindly ask what Serbia cannot provide. Serbia cannot quickly get rid of its dependence mainly on Russian gas, but voted against Russia's invasion three times at the United Nations. This is unique and new, no one expected this. But the Balkans remain an unprotected chain. The war in Ukraine could easily destabilize – and even lead to open conflict.”

Is Russia's re-occupation of Ukraine a turning point?

"The war forces the EU to come together, but it is also a great stress test. The question is whether the unit will be saved. Putin uses food shortages as a deadly weapon. He wants to feed the famine in Africa and send a new stream of refugees to Europe.

I see no hesitation in political leaders, but doubts in public opinion. I am concerned about people in rich countries and their ability to remain involved in this war. They keep saying: 'I don't care about inflation and expensive gas, I don't want Russia to win'? In addition to the military confrontation, Putin is also focusing on differences in stability. The pain threshold for Russia is much higher – and the war is decided on that.”

What is the most important aspect of your country's massive transformation?

"Freedom to choose for yourself. For centuries we have lived under roofs that we did not choose. Imposed by imperial regimes, foreign regimes. The first time Albanians could choose for themselves was when they decided to leave communism behind and join Europe. In this sense, Europe is for us a religion - and a source of knowledge for the transition to a democratic state".

You are an artist, and so is your father. He built monuments during the communist era. Which monument would you like to leave behind?

"My father was an official sculptor of the regime. He believed in communism, at first, I think. But my luck is that when he started to lose his faith, he made room for me to have my faith. That's how we ended up under one roof: a quiet communist and a very loud anti-communist; a realist artist and a very anti-realist artist.

He has left several monuments for eternity, such as the monument of the independence of Albania. I would like to leave what my father said: in the end it is the good memory that counts. When people tell you he tried, he did this or that right - that's enough for me."

 


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