In an interview with the Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA), Berset underlined that Albania is making good progress in the right direction as the country advances on the path towards the EU membership.

The Secretary General of the Council of Europe noted that holding the European Political Community Summit in Tirana is also a strong signal for Albania as an important member of the European family.

Interview with the Secretary General of the Council of Europe Alain Berset with the Albanian Telegraphic Agency

ATA: What do you think about the state of democratic security in Europe — a key theme highlighted in the Council of Europe’s latest report?

Alain Berset: We are just now witnessing backsliding democracy everywhere. We are also witnessing huge geopolitical changes in the world and it is directly concerning the whole continent of Europe. What we need to do now to see the large European family – I mean we have 46 member states in the Council of Europe, including an important state like Albania – and we need to rethink together how we want to develop the democratic security throughout the continent. That’ is really important. It is the right moment to do this, because the state of the world situation is not so good at the moment and it is necessary for us, for us, for our future generations that we start doing this now.

ATA: 2.  How important is it for Albania that the Summit of the European Political Community (EPC) is being held in Tirana?

Alain Berset: Holding the European Political Community Summit in Albania is very important, as we need to meet, we need to work together. The European Political Community is a new creation, which has held only six meetings so far. It is an informal meeting of heads of state and government. Holding such informal meetings and exchanges is also important. However, we need to do more than that, and this is exactly where the Council of Europe can contribute. We have 76 years of experience and expertise with the European Convention on Human Rights, with a strong commitment to democracy, human rights, and the rule of law, and this is exactly what we need to ensure democratic security. For this reason, I am very pleased to be present. I also believe that holding this Summit is important for Albania, as a strong signal of Albania as an important member of the entire European family. And the Council of Europe is strongly committed to supporting Albania on its path toward membership in the European Union. As you may know, there can be no possible membership without the full implementation of all Council of Europe reforms.

ATA. How do you assess Albania’s progress on the reforms required for EU accession, particularly in the areas of rule of law, anti-corruption, and judicial independence?

Alain Berset: It’s a very good question. Albania is making progress in the right direction. It is making good progress. The development that Albania has achieved over the past 30 to 35 years is truly impressive to us. One only needs to look back and see where Albania was in the 1990s. And today, 35 years later, it is genuinely impressive. This is also the reason why we have an important Council of Europe office here. I think some 29 people from Council of Europe agencies are working here. We also have a number of important projects to implement here.

What I can say about this is that it is important for us to understand and identify where we need to act, because there is a need for progress in the fight against corruption, against money laundering. You also mentioned the progress made in the justice system and judicial independence. We need to recognize these developments and then implement reforms, and we stand alongside the Albanian authorities in this regard. The most important thing, then, is their implementation. And this requires daily work. It is truly essential. This progress will then help prepare the country for EU membership. But this is just one step—an important one—since all EU member states are also members of the Council of Europe, and respect for human rights, the rule of law, and democracy are core principles. These countries work closely with the Council of Europe, and that will remain a reality even after Albania’s possible accession to the EU.

ATA: Given current geopolitical tensions and the EU’s renewed focus on enlargement, do you think Albania’s accession process could accelerate in the near future?

Alain Berset: Albania must go through this entire journey. I mean, it is impossible to bypass it. You must complete the full path, carry out all the reforms. But, as you also mentioned, there are geopolitical changes that are truly significant at this moment. There is a need not only to look at a country on the path to EU membership, or at others that haven’t advanced in that direction, but also to consider the will of all member states of the broader European family. That is important. What we need to do is build this cycle of democratic security with equal access for all member states to these elements. This is also essential, because only then can we have a stable and solid society across the continent—if we achieve this security.

Today, due to the war and the full-scale Russian aggression against Ukraine, and other factors of instability, the immediate reaction is to heavily invest in security. You’ve heard of the €800 billion investment in weapons and defense systems. That is a good thing. However, there is no way we can achieve long-term stability if this investment is limited to military security. We must build strong foundations of democratic security, because it’s not only about protecting territories, but also about defending our way of life and democracy. We do not want to live under dictatorship, but in democracy, where human rights are fully protected. That’s why the link between territory and democracy is so important. Today, we are in a situation where Europe—and indeed the whole continent—must find ways to be strong, perhaps without needing to rely so heavily on the support of the United States. We must take care of ourselves. I am confident that the partnership with the U.S. will remain very strong. I am sure of that, as I see no actions suggesting otherwise from the U.S. I see it as a solid and stable alternative. But the change that is happening is also a reality, and we must be strong for ourselves.

ATA – How important is regional stability and cooperation in the Western Balkans for Albania’s EU aspirations, and what more can be done on this front?

Alain Berset: It is very important. All the countries in the region are members of the Council of Europe, except for Kosovo. Kosovo has already applied for membership, and its application is currently on the table of the Committee of Ministers, who will decide how to proceed with it. But all the other countries—Bosnia and Herzegovina, Albania, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Serbia—are members of the Council of Europe. Croatia as well. In fact, all the countries of the region, without needing to mention them individually. The stability of the region is of primary importance, not only for the people living here or for the Balkans, but also for Europe itself—for the entire continent. It is extremely important. That is also the reason why I am personally very present in this region. I mean not only in Albania—this is the fourth or fifth time I have visited within the past 12 months, last year and this year—but also in other countries. Most recently, I was in Montenegro. We are present because positive developments in the region are crucial for overall stability. At the same time, we are facing some challenges. Bosnia and Herzegovina is currently facing a number of challenges, as the situation is changing rapidly, and that is concerning for us, because Bosnia and Herzegovina is a member of the Council of Europe. It is really important that we monitor the situation closely and do our best to help stabilize it.

ATA:  What message would you send to Albania’s youth regarding the country’s European future and their role in shaping it?

Alain Berset: First and foremost, young people must engage and invest in democratic processes. I know that Albania recently held elections, and it is important that elections are conducted in line with democratic values. The main message to younger generations should be that they too must become active when it comes to defending democracy, the rule of law, and human rights. This is because, despite the fact that the past 15 years have seen many crises—the Western Balkans itself was at war years ago—although the war is over, the region still lacks stability even today. So after 15 years of financial crises, rising inequality, the surge of populism, the COVID pandemic, the climate crisis, the war in Ukraine starting in 2014, and the full-scale invasion in 2022, young people may have formed the impression that democracy isn’t working. But that is not the case. We are currently facing challenges, but not because of democracy itself—rather, because of the crises. First of all, we need stability and predictability about what we want to achieve, and we must never forget that there is no better system than democracy for shaping who we want to be in the future. Through democracy, we shape the future. I would personally like to choose whether I want to drink a glass of water or something else—I don’t want others to decide that for me. It’s the same with living in a country and shaping its future—not just for ourselves, but also for the next generations, our children, and for seeing what will happen in the next 10, 20, or 30 years. That means we must invest seriously in democracy and in democratic tools.

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“Your leadership will undoubtedly strengthen our shared values of human rights, democracy, and the rule of law. Looking forward to our continued cooperation,” Foreign Minister Hasani said in a post on the social media.

Albania’s foreign policy chief said he welcomed continued cooperation with Berset.

The former Federal Councillor Alain Berset was elected by the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe as its new Secretary General. He is the first Swiss to take up the job. Berset took office today.

Socialist Alain Berset, 51, stepped down as Swiss President at the end of last year after a five-year mandate in the post.

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