Parliamentary Assembly

Distinguished President of the Parliamentary Assembly, Jean Claude Mignon; distinguished Secretary General, Thorbjorn Jagland; distinguished members of the Parliamentary Assembly; dear guests, ladies and gentlemen; I wholeheartedly thank you for the invitation extended to me to address this session of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, which is an Organisation based on the universal values of human rights, democracy and the rule of law. The Council of Europe has played an important role in strengthening unity in the European arena based on those values, and in facilitating the process of integration into the European Union.

It is a distinct privilege and pleasure for me to be here today, in the Palais de l’Europe, representing the first Albanian presidency of the Committee of Ministers in the Council of Europe.

I should like to seize this opportunity to thank President Mignon wholeheartedly for the very warm and friendly welcome shown to me and the Albanian delegation during our stay in Strasbourg.

Permit me to express my special regard and esteem for Secretary General Jagland, in view of the excellent contribution that he and his team have made to the reformation of the Council of Europe, aimed at the transformation of this Organisation into a powerful political actor and the growth of its visibility beyond the borders of the European arena.

Mr President, during the initial part of its transitional period, Albania, having survived the harshest dictatorship on the continent and total isolation, faced an urgent need for real democratic institutions and a European legal framework that would support the foundations of a new state based on the rule of law and a free market economy. For this reason, in the early 1990s, the first contacts were set up with European political institutions, such as the Council of Europe, the European Union, and the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe, as well as with a number of financial institutions, such as the International Monetary Fund, the World Bank, and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development.

In that context, communication with the Council of Europe and its institutions was the most intensive and most needed process for Albania’s fragile democracy, which was taking its very first steps. We considered Albania’s membership of the Council of Europe not as an objective per se, but as a necessary instrument to consolidate the democratic institutions of the rule of law, serving our citizens and our European aspiration. In 1995, Albania became a fully fledged member of the Council of Europe, which marked an encouraging moment for the new Albanian democracy and a very important step in the consolidation of relations between Albania and the Council of Europe.

The six-month period between 23 May and 9 November 2012 marks another culminating event in the 20-year history of our co-operation, as, for the first time, Albania chairs the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe. Throughout the two decades, Albania and Albanian society underwent the deepest, widest and most intensive transformation in the 1 000-year-old history of the ancient Albanian nation. The country that held records in violating human rights is now at the helm of the Committee of Ministers – it is at the helm of this European temple of human rights. Albania, once notorious for its blind, fanatical hostility towards the Western world, is now a member of NATO and is contributing peacekeeping troops in Afghanistan and elsewhere. Once a consumer of security, Albania has been transformed into a contributor to the security of countries in the region and of democratic countries worldwide. Once a completely isolated country, Albania now looks forward with confidence to gaining, based on its merits, the status of a candidate country for accession to the European Union, while Albanian citizens now travel freely without visas in Europe.

Once a country with a deeply autocratic economy, Albania has turned into a completely dynamic free-market economy. My country is successfully handing the impact of the global economic and financial crisis, demonstrating positive economic and financial growth, as a result of prudent, well-structured macroeconomic reforms, trade liberalisation, the encouragement of an entrepreneurial atmosphere and a range of other bold reforms undertaken in this sector. Between 2007 and 2012 our average economic GDP growth reached 5%. The World Economic Forum’s global competitiveness report 2011-2012 ranks Albania 78th out of 142 countries and economies. The World Bank’s “Doing Business 2012” report ranks Albania 82nd out of 183 economies on the ease of doing business, 24th on getting credit and 16th on protecting investors – that places Albania among the countries with the best results.

We are aware of what is expected from the Albanian authorities – we are expected to increase standards. We are fully committed to improving them continuously, in order to be able to integrate into the European family with dignity. These concrete steps are turning into reality the eternal European dream of the Albanians – an aspiration that caused crowds of students and citizens to fill the streets and squares chanting “We want Albania to be like the rest of Europe!” That was the motto that inspired Albanians in their final battle against the last dictatorship of Europe. Albania is celebrating the 100th anniversary of its independence. The efforts of the Albanian nation to maintain its territorial integrity against possible partitions, ethnic cleansing and various occupations have been countless. Now we celebrate the 100th anniversary of Albania’s independence as a free nation, which knew how to make use of the values of freedom and bring about real achievements.

Dear members of the Parliamentary Assembly, ever since the first moment of Albania’s membership of the Council of Europe this Organisation and its institutions have made a valuable contribution to the process of consolidating our democratic reforms. In particular, Albania has benefited from the expertise of, and co-operation with, the Council of Europe in the following areas: constitutional reform, which has come about through co-operation with the Venice Commission; holding free and democratic elections, according to European standards; establishing and consolidating an efficient and independent justice system; fighting corruption, organised crime and illicit trafficking; and growing our democratic culture and putting in place other reforms.

Albania is now a potential candidate for European Union accession. In that regard, the Council of Europe plays an important role as a vector of European policy on protecting and promoting human rights, and strengthening democracy and the rule of law. Albania’s success is also undoubtedly closely linked to the fruitful co-operation it has enjoyed with the Council of Europe. The Albanian Presidency in Office of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe provides us with a great opportunity to contribute in those areas – we have the chance to advance on the achievements of previous chairmanships and to contribute with the best values of my country. Through its cautious and moderate policies, Albania plays a stabilising role in the region. Although a small nation, Albania can deliver a great message. Tolerance and religious harmony, a unique feature of the Albanians, present a model of co-existence in diversity. The sacrifices made by Albanians, often beyond their capacities and means, to shelter and protect the Jews who faced the danger of being exterminated, are a clear example of how a small nation with a great heart can make the difference.

We all understand that diversity is the destiny of Europe, given that ethnic, cultural, religious and linguistic diversity has always characterised European societies. The founders of the European Union viewed it as a strength and advantage of our continent. The Albanian Presidency in Office is convinced that the Council of Europe, with all its knowledge and experience, is an appropriate international organisation for the promotion of democratic societies that respect and uphold diversity and peaceful and free co-existence. In order to serve this aim, the Albanian Presidency in Office will organise in Tirana a high-level conference under the theme “Diversity in Europe: A powerful tool for the future.” Some of the topics under discussion will cover the dialogue with our Mediterranean neighbours, in order to allow us to share the best experiences of creating stable democratic and open societies.

Let me take this opportunity to draw attention to another aspect relating to Europe’s cultural heritage. Cultural heritage is an integral part of the system of European values. Respect for and protection of cultural heritage is vital to the development of European identity, but nothing should be taken for granted. Our cultural heritage has a priceless value, but it could easily be vulnerable. Its preservation requires action and joint investment from all the stakeholders involved – civil society; the heritage sector; public authorities at all levels, both national and European; and everyone interested in cultural heritage.

The Balkan region takes part in the current political-institutional structure of Europe and it is currently progressing towards integration into European structures. Its countries have put their past behind them and have set their sights towards the future.

Western Balkans is entirely oriented at present towards European integration and, in particular, regional co-operation constitutes a very important instrument of multifaceted development of this region in order to accelerate the accomplishment of our countries’ common goal of European integration.

The foreign policy of the Republic of Albania is oriented towards maximum engagement in strengthening good neighbourly relations and regional integration. Albania does not have any outstanding issues with any of the regional countries. Albania’s national interests are best served in a peaceful, stable, democratic and economically developed regional environment. The establishment of such an environment requires a spirit of co-operation and understanding from all parties in the region, both on bilateral and multilateral levels.

The common future of the region is stabilisation within the European and Euro-Atlantic integration processes. This is the only way that will lead to the resolution of the problems inherited from history. We encourage dialogue and institutional struggle as the only mechanisms of communication to address and resolve the internal problems and the outstanding issues among neighbours in the region.

In Albania’s view, regional co-operation goes beyond just expressing the political will of good neighbouring. This is because we believe that, if we engage together, we can build a common regional modern infrastructure. We are removing all non-physical barriers to the movement of people, goods and capital, and encouraging exchanges among our countries. At the same time, getting to better know the culture, history and customs of our neighbours, we can improve the image of our region, by making it an attractive and competitive market, and we can align its European integration perspective. In this spirit, we play a moderating role to preserve and strengthen peace and lasting stability in the Balkans.

We view the presence of the Albanian factor in almost all the countries of the region as an instrument of our policy of moderation. We have always considered the Albanian factor as a connecting bridge between our countries and we encourage the Albanians in the region to be co-operative promoters and workers for the common European Union integration processes of the countries where they live.

Permit me to emphasise the importance of the involvement of the Council of Europe in Kosovo. We appreciate the commitment of the Council of Europe in our country and the Balkan region, in the implementation of specific and thematic projects. We underline, in particular, the significant importance of the commitment of the Council of Europe in Kosovo, to promote democracy, human rights and the rule of law and to provide a closer European perspective for all the citizens who live there.

Kosovo should be a safe haven for all its citizens, where the standards of the Council of Europe are steadily strengthened, and where key European instruments are fully applied, along with their control mechanisms.

Our position is very clear. The Republic of Kosovo is a reality and a factor of stability in the region, which has removed any scepticism. The issue of its status and territorial integrity are already closed chapters. We support Kosovo’s membership in the Council of Europe, because only in this way will Kosovo’s citizens benefit maximally from the Council of Europe standards and enjoy access to the European Court of Human Rights. Meanwhile, under the present conditions of a neutral status for Kosovo by the European Council, as recommended by Resolution 1739 (2010) of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, regardless of positions on the status issue, all Council of Europe member states should support a greater involvement of this institution in Kosovo and the strengthening of direct contacts between Kosovo’s authorities and the staff of the Council of Europe, at all levels. Kosovo’s citizens are European citizens as well and they fully deserve European standards that are best embodied in the Council of Europe.

Kosovo, through the support of friendly countries who stand beside it, has made concrete strides and entered on the path of consolidation of state-foundation. This fact was proven also by the latest decision taken by the International Steering Group to end its supervision. That decision turned a new page in the history of Kosovo: that of its functioning as a fully independent and sovereign state.

Kosovo is consistently demonstrating a serious commitment to the consolidation of its independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity. It has set up comprehensive and fully functional multi-ethnic and democratic institutions across the country, demonstrating to us all its accountability and vision to move beyond the bitter past and to enable all citizens in its territory to build the future of their children and families. And this goal of looking to the future is also aided by the quick resumption of talks between Kosovo and Serbia, which will affect the further normalisation of relations between these two countries.

The mandate of the Council of Europe is focused on Europe, but many of the key issues today are influenced by developments in neighbouring countries: the Mediterranean region, the Middle East, central Asia, etc. that surround Europe. As a result, many of the activities of the Council of Europe, including some of the important conventions, seek to expand co-operation beyond the boundaries of Europe. Thus, the measures taken against terrorism, human trafficking, money laundering, cyberspace crime and so on, can be effective only if we include and involve our neighbours and closely work with other international organisations.

I express my firm conviction that the Council of Europe has all the necessary mechanisms to provide a contribution in building sustainable democratic societies in neighbouring regions and relations with these regions should be based on mutual respect and proper sensitivity regarding their cultural and religious context.

In particular, we appreciate the role of the Venice Commission in providing assistance and advice on constitutional law issues in Morocco and Tunisia, as well as in terms of necessary reforms to align the national legislation of these countries to the international human rights standards.

Albania remains a country that strongly believes in the dialogue between civilisations and will continue to be actively engaged to erase differences about issues related to the human rights agenda. It is exactly for this reason that the Albanian Presidency in Office of the Council of Europe has chosen as its motto: “United in diversity”.

Dialogue between different cultures and civilisations should be viewed as an ongoing process that requires commitment, good will and care. Harmonising cultural diversity is not always an easy task, and it can even be challenging at times for all of us.

We are all saddened by the serious consequences caused by a worthless video, which showed a lack of respect towards Islam and towards what Muslims consider sacred. Albanian citizens of all religious persuasions, our state and religious institutions ignored that video by maintaining their silence. It is unfortunate that in some parts of the world, this event was not accompanied by a similar reaction. On the contrary, it was used to fuel the blind violence of angry hopeless crowds – which led to fatal consequences.

We must make it clear that acts of terrorism or extremist action by isolated groups with bad intentions should never be confused with the positions of entire societies and governments. No anger can justify illegal acts of violence, which all political and religious institutions and all societies should strongly oppose. Rather, we must commit ourselves to building preventative social, educational and legal mechanisms to halt such phenomena.

We condemn with indignation the terrorist actions against the United States embassy in Libya and demand punishment for the perpetrators. We also condemn any action expressed through the violent protests against western countries’ embassies, whose mission is to promote understanding and co-operation among countries and nations.

Dear friends, peace and security in different parts of the world continue to be challenged by tyranny and oppression. We strongly condemn the violence against the freedom-loving people of Syria from a regime that has irrevocably lost its legitimacy to lead and represent the Syrian people. Nobody should stand idly by while observing the terrible events that have been taking place in Syria every day for a year and a half now, which have resulted in thousands of lost lives and deliberate and widespread destruction that has set the country back decades.

We all live in a world that is becoming increasingly globalised day-in, day-out, and that has overcome serious human tragedies throughout its history. Hence, in the interest of our common future, we must all learn the right lessons about the price that must have been paid because of human bloodshed.

Dear colleagues, in conclusion, I would like especially to praise the distinct role and contribution of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe on the preservation and promotion of the Organisation’s fundamental values in its member countries and elsewhere. I would also like to express my special gratitude for the assistance and support the Assembly has given to my country in satisfying and meeting all the necessary engagements and proper obligations. I wish you good luck and success in your work during this session. Thank you very much for your attention.