If Italy was one of the founding members of the EU, the neighboring country has also been one of the greatest supporters of Albania during its last 28 years' journey toward EU; and this journey's last milestone is the European Commission's recommendation of the opening of accession talks.
Of course, during these almost three decades, Massimo D'Alema has been one of the "heaviest players" of Italian and European politics. A representative of Italian and European left, Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, he was loud and clear in his latest message regarding Italy's euroskeptic turn on last elections.
"It can be argued that the surge in nationalism is not a proper response to global challenges but it is evident that either the European Union is able to reorientate towards growth, social inclusion and the protection of continental citizens or the 'sovereign' wave and anti-EU will endanger the very pillars of integration," Mr. D'Alema wrote recently at Il Manifesto newspaper.
On the other hand, here we have an Albania and a Western Balkans region so enthusiastic about making steps forward on the integration path. Is this a paradox?
Mr. D'Alema was in Tirana on Thursday, to receive a well-earned award from the President of the Republic in the presence of PM Edi Rama. We had the chance to have a very interesting conversation.

-Mr. D'Alema, thank you for this opportunity. I would like to "cut to the chase" and start from the recent events: Which is your comment on the latest progress-report of the European Commission, which recommends the opening of membership negotiations for Albania?
Certainly, it is a sort of coronation of a long itinerary, up to the arrival of the opening of negotiations with the EU. From now on, there is o lot of work to be done for the opening of negotiations to materialize. This recommendation comes also as a result of the progress Albania has made; a country that has been significantly transformed, has moved forward in adapting the European legislation, has grown economically and in so many other sectors. So I would say that keeping track of this progress has the logical consequence of the European Commission's recommendation, which comes as an incentive to move forward. Let's hope that Albania's commitment to its European challenge will be beautifully completed with the final sprint; Let's hope, on the other hand, that this achievement will help the normalization of domestic politics, the sustainability of political dialogue, because beyond the determined roles of government and opposition, the achievements regarding European integration belong to the whole country, to all political factors.
Otherwise, the intensification of internal conflict would make it harder for success in this European path.

- Let's talk a bit about a paradox, at least it seems so: The more Albania and the Western Balkan countries approach the European Union, the more the EU's internal divide becomes obvious; the rise of euro-skeptic forces, the fear from enlargement, the debate between political currents, the lack of cohesion among member countries on internal and external issues ... In your assessment, is this a transitional phase or something deeper?
It is true that Europe is not going through a good moment, even in the relationship between institutions and governments in front of the European citizens. It is clear that enthusiasm, trust in the EU project has been curbed. Of course, to regain the trust of the citizen, Europe should make a big turn, especially in political decision-making. Especially at this moment when a certain economic revival is happening, it is fundamental to recover Europe's social dimension of Europe. In other words, there are needed economic redistribution policies, because during the years of crisis, the fabric of society has changed a lot in Europe; the social gap has increased, so has poverty in a large part of the population, and with it social dissatisfaction came.
This great unease, this social concern is obviously Europe's blame, for it is the EU that applies the tight economic policies, investment reductions, diminishing of social assistance etc. An increasing social dissatisfaction naturally strengthens the sense of protest, expressed in the political vote for Eurosceptic forces.
So it is a very dangerous tendency, and to react to it the European political leadership must change its policies, attitudes, approaches. EU agreements and pacts cannot focus solely on financial policies, budgets or trade balance. They should include common policies for growth, employment, investment, protection of social and human rights, aid to the disabled...
Despite the difficult moment, anyway, I would call the "introvert approach" very wrong. There are countries that are already hostile to the prospect of EU enlargement. On the contrary, I think that the entry of new countries, with their desire for development, their freshness and their society eager for progress, will also help Europe to reinvigorate the cohesion and dynamism of development.

-Regarding the countries of the Western Balkans, can we say that beyond the EU's normal requirements to reach some standards in different areas, according to the priorities set for each country, the geopolitical reason is also very important? So the EU does not have the luxury to tolerate the presence of a gray and uncertain region in its geographic area?
Undoubtedly, geopolitics is a very fair motive. Let's make it clear; The Western Balkans is in the heart of Europe! So logically we cannot talk about a geographic "expansion", but about healing a wound left open in the heart of Europe. It is clear that the objective is membership, but certainly in a gradual way, as each country has its own specifics, and will be evaluated for its political, economic, democratic, rule of law, human rights etc. achievements, and not for those of the neighbor! So, the goal is to integrate the entire region; and there is now a need to stimulate those countries that are more in difficulty.
Specifically, it remains to be resolved the up to now unresolved situation between Kosovo and Serbia. This seems to be the most politically difficult issue to be resolved.

- As regards the request toward Serbia to recognize Kosovo, it is currently being debated whether there will be a "classical" recognition of the state of Kosovo, or there will be produced a document formulated as a "binding agreement for the normalization of relations between the two countries"...
In fact, so far we are only talking about hypotheses, as no one knows the format through which the crisis will be solved. What remains clear is that we are dealing with a delicate issue that includes aspects of principles, documents and international rights... However, I say that the key is to move forward in the plan of coexistence and concrete cooperation on the ground, and this definitely requires from the Kosovar side some dose of elasticity, openness. We cannot bypass the fact that in Kosovo lives a Serbian minority whose rights have to be guaranteed, and we cannot forget that for the Serbs, Kosovo carries a weight of historical, religious and cultural importance. So a balanced solution is needed.
In parenthesis, we have done everything to help Kosovo when its population was in danger.
Going back for a little bit, in my political life I have twice had a direct responsibility over Kosovo's case. The first time during the war and NATO intervention, as head of the Italian government I supported my country's participation in the operations of the time. And secondly, as a Foreign Minister when it came to the issue of recognition of the new state, I personally headed the UN Security Council meeting when this topic was being discussed. That's because Italy at that time had the rotating presidency of the Security Council. I remember as it was yesterday, from the Serbian side was Mr. Kostunica. The meeting was closed without a decision-making, but at least we managed to propose it as an issue.
I want to say Europe has done and is still doing its duties. It is now necessary for the Kosovo government to show a certain flexibility, because they and the people of Kosovo understand in their own skin the feeling of being defenseless.
- Of course it has been a straight forward requirement that the candidate countries should resolve all problems and conflicts before seeking further rapprochement with the EU. In this regard, Mr D'Alema, can it be said that it was an EU mistake that the territorial conflict between Croatia and Slovenia was 'imported' within the Union rather than being solved in advance?
Now, turning back, I think so. It can be said that there was a hurry, and perhaps it was worth trying to find a solution to this problem beforehand.
But to get a little deeper in the story, the issue is even older. Perhaps during the former Yugoslavia breakup, a more attentive focus and careful policies would be needed.
I'm telling you an interesting detail. Once Mikhail Gorbachev told me something very wise. According to him, prior to proceeding with the recognition of particular countries of the former Yugoslavia - there was a race of recognitions, even for the fact that every important European country took under its wings one country or another; Germany paid attention to Croatia and so on - it would be good to sit all on the negotiation table, with the pressure of all international powers, and reach an agreement between the former Yugoslav republics. A comprehensive, patient agreement that would resolve each issue between them, including the territories. This would further guarantee a peaceful and sustainable development.
But that was not the case. As we all know, a violent conflict broke out, a chain war that killed hundreds of thousands of people.

- True. Meanwhile, there are some new developments regarding the relations between the countries of our region; Negotiations, talks and serious attempts to overcome specific problems. Albania with Greece, Greece with Macedonia, Kosovo overcame the border issue with Montenegro; but also Serbia-Kosovo dialogue itself, despite the ups and downs. Will the region earn an even more 'positive grade'?
Of course, I believe so. I appreciate it very much personally. I was a participant at the regional prime ministers' gathering recently in Albania, initiated by Edi Rama, where Mr. Vucic and other heads of government were present. I saw a constructive and positive atmosphere. I therefore think that this is a obligatory "strain", a very significant effort to overcome the disputed conflicts, and Albania's contribution in this regard is very important.
Meanwhile, the young generation of Serbian politicians, I would say, is giving its contribution. There is a desire to look beyond the old issues and think about the future... these are the elements that create a "dialogue atmosphere", a desire to be done with the problems of the past, to set aside the excessive nationalisms.
From this point of view, the common perspective of all the countries of the region for integration into the EU greatly helps this dialogue, because it gives real and tangible meaning and hope to this endeavor.

-And the whole process of regional dialogue serves as a "general test" of how mature our countries are for dialogue tomorrow within the EU, right?
Exact. That's right. It is a maturation process that not only solves the problems among you, which is the key, but also prepares open-minded societies for the near future. The EU has long been familiar with the 'de-dramatization' of border problems, because of free movement. The Western Balkans will also experience this development. Putting it another way, the EU is the only positive and long-term perspective, but this process requires now, here, attention and commitment, seriousness and willpower.

-A final question relates to the outcome of the last parliamentary elections in Italy. Your assessment has been public through articles and interviews, actually...
That's what we were discussing a little bit above, in fact. It is a very strong alarm signal for Europe. Because the defeated ones in Italy, are the parties representing the major European political families and ideals. In the meantime, the winners or better say, those which gained strength are the parties that have a more skeptical position towards the EU. The result confirms exactly this social dissatisfaction which already exists and is expressed by a vote of protest. But not only in Italy; even Hungary recently confirmed the same thing.
I believe, I hope that this signal will be heard and understood clearly. The Italian citizens have chosen new political forces, at least in part; which implies that they seek change. Let's hope, and I as a citizen of the country, that these forces will be able to rise to the occasion. Unfortunately, it should be said that the situation is problematic, because the truth is that everybody has won and nobody is a winner. So there is no majority that could produce a steady government.
It is therefore not excluded the possibility of new elections, as it happened earlier in Spain...
In conclusion, this concern is already clearly emerging in European democracies, which are in trouble. The political systems of the continent are obviously facing a wave of popular dissatisfaction, which shows itself at the ballot box. And if we call "populist" the new emerging forces or not, this is of secondary importance. After all, any party seeking the vote of the people, is a "populist" party, right?

- Mr. D'Alema, thank you very much!