JOURNALIST: Mr. Avramopoulos, you are coming to Tirana at an historic moment for Albania: the celebration of the 100th anniversary of the country’s independence. What message would you like to convey to your neighbouring country on this anniversary?
D. AVRAMOPOULOS: A message of sincere friendship and support. The Albanian people have a long history. Like other peoples, they have gone through difficult times, but they persevered. They are a people with a sense of their historical presence, an indefatigable people; hardworking, proud, resolute and genuine.
The 100th anniversary of Albania’s independence is an opportunity for us to celebrate, as friends and neighbours, and to visualize together our European future, within the great new country of Europe.
During these 100 years, the Albanian people have gone through unbelievable difficulties. I am moved and saddened every time I think about the years of isolation after World War II and how much this delayed the country’s development. These images have been alive in my memory since my first visit to Albania, 20 years ago.
And yet, the Albanian people did not give up. They began to rebuild their country. They have already accomplished much in a short time, in terms of historical time. I am certain that much more will be achieved in the future, as Albania, consolidating its adoption of European standards, will constantly strengthen its democratic institutions, human rights, rule of law, its development prospects, and the progress of its people.
Greece will always be at your side on this course. We are linked by many bridges: common borders, the Greek Minority that participates decisively in Albania’s progress on the political, economic and cultural levels, and the large number of Albanian citizens who live, work and prosper in Greece. And it is very moving that the children of these Albanians are integrated into, and feel a part of, Greek society.
JOURNALIST: As the Mayor of Athens at one time, you showed a tolerant stance on Albanian immigrants, overcoming traditional prejudices. What is your assessment of the relations between the two countries today, and how will you help to upgrade those relations.
D. AVRAMOPOULOS: That was when the first wave of Albanian immigrants were establishing themselves in Greece. As Mayor, I welcomed them, and, as you know, that was when the first Albanian-language programme was broadcast by our municipal stations. And that’s not all. We organized cultural events, some of which I opened jointly with the then prime minister of Albania. I remember that the Mayor of Gjirokastër, and later prime minister, Bashkim Fino, made me an honorary citizen of his town. I have always believed in the harmonious co-existence of Greeks and Albanians. We hold the future in our hands. By our decisions and actions, we chart a positive course, brushing aside anything that might impact that course negatively.
When the borders opened and the old regime fell, hundreds of thousands of Albanians found refuge in Greece and made lives for themselves. They are prospering and, at the same time, helping their families back in Albania through remittances, contributing to the growth and progress of both countries.
If one considers the magnitude of the migration wave in proportion to the population of Greece, the integration of migrants into Greece society has been smooth. That is the rule. There are certain extremist groups who, for their own reasons, point up the exceptions. Today, these extremists are trying to manipulate the agenda of our bilateral relations, looking for problems, or actually causing them.
Greece is a country whose people believe in the value of peace, friendship and good neighbourly relations. And I, personally, am resolved to work to marginalize attitudes and outlooks that take us back to the 19th century. That is why I took the initiative of once again opening wide the door of our relations.
There are many sectors in which we can work together: cross-border cooperation, commerce, energy, tourism and many other sectors that can tangibly improve the day-to-day lives of our citizens. I am acquainted with many Albanian politicians, from all the political parties, including President Sali Berisha, opposition leader Edi Rama. I have found a good collocutor and friend in Mr. Panariti.
JOURNALIST: Despite the positive climate of cooperation, which was reaffirmed during your Albanian counterpart’s visit to Athens, there are still some pending issues between the two countries, like the agreement on maritime zones. As you know, our Constitutional Court rejected that agreement. Has the Albanian government requested renegotiation of the agreement on maritime zones, and what is the Greek government’s position on this issue? If there was a decision from the Greek Constitutional Court, how would you react if Albanian did not accept it?
D. AVRAMOPOULOS: Let’s start with a basic principle. What we want to do, and whether that is in the interest of our two countries. We have no right to judge Albania’s domestic constitutional order, just as Albania cannot judge us on that account. In any case, however, it is important in international relations that there be compliance with what is agreed on. The agreement on maritime zones is a pending issue, and the sooner it is resolved, the better for both our countries. I think that the legal framework that has already been agreed upon, within the international law in force, helps us to reopen the discussion so that we can get results soon and send a message to the whole world about how neighbours can reach an understanding.
JOURNALIST: Do you believe the agreement on maritime zones between the two countries will be set as a condition for the provision of Greece’s support for the Trans-Adriatic Pipeline (TAP)? Have the two governments had talks on this issue?
D. AVRAMOPOULOS: Intimidation and ultimatums do not make for good, sustainable cooperation. The TAP lends strategic depth to our bilateral relations. It is a project of major importance to Europe’s energy security, and it creates even greater potential because it redraws the energy map of Southern Europe and the Eastern Mediterranean, opening new corridors. This project will create thousands of jobs and will be a decisive development tool for our economies at a critical time, and it will also enhance the geostrategic value of our countries. That is why we are working very closely with the Albanian and Italian governments to achieve our goals. But until we get there, as I said before, it is in any case useful for us to promote our cooperation in all sectors, and along with that we should also resolve the maritime zones issue. If there is sincere good will, we will settle this issue.
JOURNALIST: Another issue in the talks between the two side is the issue of the property of Albanians in Greece – property under seizure of the Greek state. If the state of war is not in force, according to official statements from spokespersons for the Greek state, why don’t you provide a collective solution for those citizens who have claims?
D. AVRAMOPOULOS: Greece is founded on the principle of the rule of law. Its Judicial system administers justice, unhindered, to all those who have recourse to it. The door to justice is open to anyone who thinks they have an issue. As for the state of war, I remind you that Greece and Albania signed a Friendship and Cooperation Agreement in 1996. We are allies in NATO. In fact, Greece supported Albania’s accession to the Alliance from the outset, just as we are firm supporters of Albania’s joining the European family. So the ‘state of war’ has been expunged. We now talk in other terms: friendship, alliance. We are both on the same side. And that is how we should see these issues.
JOURNALIST: What is your assessment of the political developments in Albania, and mainly the disagreements between the majority and opposition regarding the passing of laws that require a supermajority in Parliament? Would Greece support the European Commission’s recommendation for Albania to receive candidate country status this year?
D. AVRAMOPOULOS: Greece is and will continue to be the main supporter of Albania’s European perspective. You are directing your question to a Greek politician that has, from the very first day he entered politics, stood up for the principle that Democracy is the political art of synthesis. It is only through understanding in a Democracy that we can achieve results of national and strategic significance. With time, Democracy is taking root in Albania, and Albanian society has a clear European perspective. But democracy requires the protection – the armour, if you will – of strong institutions. In both Greece and Albania, we politicians have a great responsibility for how Democracy functions and how it can be strengthened institutionally. For this to happen, personal egos and party expediencies have to be overridden in favor of understanding, consensus and the national perspective.
No one anywhere can monopolize patriotism and social sensitivity.
Beyond all that, the criteria set by Europe, with emphasis on human and minority rights, presuppose a policy that is founded on respect for those criteria and that shows the level of a country’s democratic culture.
This is why in Europe we have seen a higher level of agreement and acceptance, and this is what sets Europe apart form other regions of the world, as well as from other eras.
JOURNALIST: You mentioned the Greek Minority in Albania. Is it really a bridge of friendship, or is it more of a source of tension between the two countries?
D. AVRAMOPOULOS: The Greek Minority is a treasure for Albania and a point of reference for Greece. It is a strong link in the chain that connects us. It contributes decisively to the shaping of the Albanian state’s modern identity.
The Greek Minority has travelled the same difficult historical paths – if not more difficult ones, because of its ‘difference’. Its members are labouring unstintingly so that Albania can join the European family and consolidate an open, democratic society where all citizens enjoy full respect for their rights, exercising their right to life, progress and development in an environment of social peace and brotherhood.
We are talking about a new social contract, in which the minority and the majority, joining forces, will build the European Albania of tomorrow. We mustn’t forget that one of the main reasons for Greece’s strategic and unwavering support for Albania’s European perspective is the Greek Minority, because the Greek Minority’s position will be buttressed and its rights better guaranteed as Albania adopts European standards.
The course and constancy required to realise this vision is what will marginalize the extremists who, in threatening the minority, are essentially threatening Albania’s European identity.