Doris Pack is a popular name among the Albanians. The German politician, formerly member of European parliament and actually President of EPP Women, she is also Chairwoman of the Advisory Board of “A Soul for Europe”. Mrs. Pack was in Tirana to participate at a conference organized by Democratic League of Women in collaboration with Konrad Adenauer Foundation. But as a “veteran” politician familiar on Albanian and Balkan issues, it is always valuable to have her opinions and comments on current political situation. We had an interesting conversation with Mrs. Pack on several topics concerning Albanian and regional politics, Balkans vis a vis EU and the situation in Europe. What does she think on top Albanian politicians; on government’s performance; on the state of reforms; on the rumors about EU ambassador in Tirana; why she is so worried about drug trafficking and cannabis situation, the political stalemate in Macedonia and accusations about “Soros influence”… Read more:  

-Mrs. Pack, thank you for your time. I would like to start with an impression or opinion of yours about these 3 and a half year of left coalition government, almost a mandate.

I must say, I see it as a not so successful mandate. In general, the government has failed to fight corruption as it promised. Some members of parliament have been found guilty of different crimes, some others have been accused and some of them now are out of parliament. The cases have been made public, I won’t stop in details but these things should not have happened. On the other hand, I see young people wanting to leave the country; only few new investments have been made and they do not find other alternatives but leaving. This makes me very sad.

-What about PM Rama’s performance? I understand that he must be more a popular person abroad than his predecessors…

Well, of course he is a very good actor at the scene, but he needs to be really interested in real governance and its concrete results for the real people, and that thing is not very much noted. You get voted not to be popular in international scene but to fix things in your country.

-This governing coalition has another strategic partner, Mr. Meta and SMI; how would you define this SMI element; as a corrector of some government policies or as an impediment?

I believe Meta could have done more, could have tried and contributed more. You know, I remember him as young man, almost a boy without any real power within the Socialist Party, in different international meetings. He was this young man with many values, much energy and good proposals. He could have changed Albanian politics much more than he has done; maybe he still can if he is really dedicated.

-In the meantime Democratic Party of opposition, member of PPE parties where you also belong, has had a new leader, Mr Basha. Do you have any opinions?

I see Basha as a young leader really interested in making changes. His meetings in Europe are well received, as he has good ideas and proposals. I may mention his party’s initiative on decriminalization of parliament and administration. But of course he is not in power, his party is minority and he cannot really change anything. May be people expect more from him, but I know it’s not easy to bear the weight of opposition when you are a young leader.

-Mrs. Pack, “justice reform” has been the refrain of politics and media in Albania these last months. As far as you have followed the events or better say the adventures of this reform’s first steps; are you optimistic or cautious on the outcome?

Look, the most important thing is the implementation. We know and you know that Albania has very good laws on paper. When it comes to implementation, everything changes. Of course justice reform is very badly needed. An independent judiciary is a strong pillar in a really democratic country. In Germany, for example, but in many other countries also, one cannot imagine to intervene or put pressure on judges for political profit. Politicians do what they do, they get voted in or out of power, but the judicial system remains there, it is untouchable. This must happen here too. I cannot say if Albanian judges’ weakness is that some of them come from the old system, or that some of them are not professional or corrupted; but I am convinced on saying that no one should intervene to the system. When this will happen, Albanians will have done an important step ahead. Right now I don’t know; only implementation will show. I would like to add that part of this process is also a new electoral reform that should be agreed upon swiftly, as there is no time left. 

-There have been rumors and accusations on the other hand, of improper international intervention on this reform….

As I said earlier in the press conference; these reforms are been made with foreign collaboration and contribution and this could be called normal. But if it becomes true that our ambassadors (European Union representative) try to put pressure on Tirana at voting and implementing reforms while on the other hand we hear news on expensive villas and thing like that; then I would be very ashamed. Because it’s really a shame for EU to ask you, to ask Albanians to fight corruption whereas some of us are involved in similar affairs.

-Mrs. Pack, you have followed Albania’s efforts and periodical crises for a long time over the years. As a matter of fact, the drug trafficking issue was always there. What has changed now that makes you stress it even more as a grave problem?

Sure, the drug trafficking is no news, and not only the Albanians do it. But you see, the cannabis situation that was just a local phenomenon in Albania has now spread all over the country. Not me, but the media says that; the quantities seized by European police forces say it. So what is this? It shows a lack of will in the fight against narco-trafficking, which tends to become organized and thus, the organized crime enters or influences politics.

I want to confess something personal. I have lost my daughter because of the drugs and that’s why I shall never stress enough how important the war on drugs is. Albanian youngsters find no other alternatives and may be they think of the easy money they can make with cannabis. But in the long run the country is ruined; with the high percentage of unemployment more and more people want to leave.

-Two words on our neighbor Macedonia, inhabited by Albanians too, and its political crisis. The Albanian parties have signed a joint platform, whereas Gruevski, winner by thin margin blames what he calls “Soros’ influence” in the country.

The problem with Macedonia is its situation in general, not just the elections’ outcome. This small country cannot progress towards European integration because of the name dispute with Greece. I cannot imagine that Greece’s fear that Macedonia would expand to Thessaloniki would come true! But this attitude has pushed Macedonian parties to more nationalistic approaches. Albanians on the other hand, probably go too far when they ask Albanian language to be official at all parts of the country, even where there are not Albanians. I must say that Macedonia was way better 15 years before, after the Ohrid Agreement was signed. Now everything has become more difficult. Of course there is something to worry about with Soros’ case: There you have a very rich man with his organizations, sponsorships and media; what kind of agenda could have a single very powerful person? The interest of simple people? I don’t think so.

So I don’t know if the solution is new elections or a broad-based government, but Albanians and Slavs in Macedonia should focus in what they have in common: A prosperous country integrated in EU and NATO. This stands for all Balkan peoples of course.

-One last question. There is (not only) a perception that European Union’s own troubles have shifted the attention away from the Balkans lately. Is it true? And after all is EU in danger itself?

This is a right question. EU is having its own problems and this is a fact. With the economic crisis, a wave of euroscepticism has risen and the unclear situation with the new US president has contributed to this uncertainty. Britain has exited the EU, (although I think that they will lose more than EU and the British have already regretted this unfortunate step); but this is also a chance that European nations and countries learn to stand together and speak as one, no matter who is in charge in US. I believe in this motto and I think after several EU countries have their elections, we will go back to working together. This being said, I am convinced that EU has made an invitation for Balkan countries since year 2003 in Thessaloniki: Albania and other countries have the right to apply for membership after they reach the needed standards. The invitation is valid to date; EU has an Enlargement Commissioner and as you can see, is spending great deal of money in your countries.

So, yes, may be the attention has been somewhat distracted but EU wants the Balkan countries in, because they are Europe. Western Balkans is surrounded by EU members and it is only logical that this area becomes part of EU.