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In an interview, Prime Minister Edi Rama spoke about the European integration process, the migrant agreement with Italy and the controversy surrounding the tourist project in southern Albania...
Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama declared that the country's accession process to the European Union is irreversible. In an exclusive interview with journalist Anna La Rosa of the Italian agency Italpress , he also addressed the Albania-Italy agreement on migrants, as well as the debates regarding the tourist project in the south of the country, against which the "Flamingo Revolution" movement is protesting.
Speaking about European integration, Rama stated that no development can stop Albania's path towards the EU.
"As Winston Churchill said, a good crisis should never be wasted. There is always something to learn and reflect on, but in the meantime, no one can stop Albania's process towards the European Union," he said.
Regarding the migrant agreement between Italy and Albania, which has caused political debates in recent months, Rama said that the controversies have been exaggerated.
" There was finally a lot of noise made about something that was simply a sincere attempt to find a direction and a solution. The fact that this approach has been accepted today is not a victory, but another example of time wasted in confrontations that have often not been real battles, but unnecessary clashes in the public arena ," he declared.
According to the Prime Minister, the main problem remains the time lost before reaching a common position.
Rama also commented on the protests organized by the "Flamingo Revolution" movement, which opposes a resort project in southern Albania. He rejected the accusations against the government and said they damage the country's image.
" For years I have been accused of everything. I don't know if there is still something left that hasn't been attributed to me. This hurts me, because at that moment it is no longer just about me, but about Albania ," Rama said.
According to him, a narrative without evidence has been built around this project.
" Those who make accusations should present evidence, not demand that the accused constantly prove innocence. If they accuse me of giving away these lands or of damaging a beautiful part of the Albanian coast, then let them bring the evidence. So far, no evidence has been presented and nothing has been proven. There is no signed agreement yet, because the negotiations have not been completed ," he said.
For the rest of the development, which is located on private property, Rama emphasized that the state is not a party to the process.
"The state and the government have no connection with that part of the project. No construction permit has been issued yet and the procedures are still in progress. We have reached a paradoxical situation," he declared.
However, the prime minister said he understands the reasons for the citizens who protested, but criticized efforts to turn the issue into an international debate.
" If I were among the protesters and heard only one version of the story, I would probably feel just as outraged. But if I were to hear the other side, I would understand that there is no evidence for what is being claimed. Unfortunately, today no one talks about flamingos anymore. They have become a symbol for those who want to take this issue to the international arena. At the domestic level we are dealing with a debate between different groups in society and the opposition, while abroad it is presented as a battle against Donald Trump ," said Rama. / Pamphlet /
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