In an interview with the Voice of America, the Prime Minister provides an overview of the country’s main developments, ranging from progress in European Union accession process, the economy, the debate over the Venice Commission’s opinion on the case of former Minister Olta Xhaçka’s mandate, to expectations for the upcoming parliamentary elections.

Voice of America: Mr. Prime Minister, first of all, thank you for this end-of-year interview with the Voice of America. I would like to start with an important event for Albania this year, its progress in European Union integration. Within two months, Albania managed to open two clusters. However, your ambition is to conclude the negotiations by 2027. How realistic is this, given that our neighbours have spent years and are still far from achieving this goal?

Prime Minister Rama: This is no longer my ambition, but a joint strategic plan that has been written and agreed upon with the European Commission. It is a concrete plan, including specific steps and dates, and while it is very ambitious, we are committed to implementing it step by step. As far as we are concerned, we aim to complete the tasks necessary to close the negotiations within the year we have set.

Voice of America: Is the Albanian administration ready to handle this process? I am referencing the latest European Commission report, which states, for instance, that the government “continued to adopt policies and laws, raising concerns about compliance with EU standards,” and that “a substantial portion of the European Commission’s recommendations were either partially implemented or not implemented at all.”

Prime Minister Rama: What you said is unrelated to the question or the substance of the question regarding the administration. It is unclear whether our administration is up to the task if you get updated through the news filled with half-truths, which are often the biggest lies, and outright falsehoods. However, the facts speak for themselves. The most convincing fact about our administration’s preparation is that it has not only successfully managed the entire negotiation preparation process, which is a highly challenging task, but did so while surprising even the European Commission.

On the other hand, our administration is evaluated by prestigious institutions, including those that function as European Union institutions. In this case, I am referring to SIGMA, which, if I’m not mistaken, ranks our administration as the best in the region in 4 out of 5 areas of research on administration capacity.

Voice of America: Prime Minister, corruption has been a real hot potato over the years. You have outlined time and again a range of measures, interventions, and reforms that have been implemented. However, international assessments, including the most recent European Commission report, still view it as a major concern. The report even notes that “preventive efforts have had limited impact.”

Prime Minister Rama: Corruption has dominated the debate for nearly two years in the United States elections, and it has been discussed from both sides, not just from one perspective. This means that while there are undeniable truths about corruption, particularly in Albania, there are also many falsehoods that gain traction in the political and media spheres, along with analyses based on speculation. To conclude, corruption in Albania is a problem, but it has never been serious enough to warrant the constant uproar across all media platforms. It is a real issue, which is why we are tackling it through reforms, modernization of services, and improvement of administrative processes by leveraging the technology. Furthermore, new justice institutions are up and running, and we have strong public support in our uncompromising fight against this evil.

Voice of America: Are you concerned that a considerable number of former and current high-ranking officials, including your representatives, former and current mayors, and even recently members of parliament, are under investigation by SPAK, primarily for abuse of office or corruption?

Prime Minister Rama: I’ve been asked this question ever since SPAK began its work, and it always surprises me because it would be understandable if I were someone caught off guard by the outcomes a reform implemented by others. However, I am not someone caught off guard, as I personally led the justice reform, with the full support of the Socialist Party. Of course, it is not a good feeling on a personal and human level for people I know and have worked with, whether directly or from afar. But when it comes to my duties and the mission I lead, I am at peace. This is a painful process, but through it, Albania will finally become the state it has never been. Thanks to this process, impunity in Albania is no longer a myth but a monument that has been dismantled. For the first time in Albania’s history, since the country became a state in 1912, individuals with ties to political power, whether the current or previous ruling majority, are being held to account. While some may be surprised, I feel absolutely at ease, clear-headed, and even more determined to continue this fight without compromise.

Voice of America: The question whether it concerns you is not about you being taken aback, but rather about the case of Mr. Veliaj, who has recently come under investigation. Does this harm the image of your party?

Prime Minister Rama: I do not comment on individual cases; I have never done so, except when there has been a final court decision, such as in the case of a recidivist defamer. However, I can only say that the fact that someone is under investigation does not make them guilty, and on the other hand, trials are not conducted in the media, but in legal and constitutional processes.

Voice of America: These are key figures in politics and public life, so it is important to hear your opinion on the matter.

Prime Minister Rama: My opinion is loud and clear. When it comes to justice, the law, and the authority of justice institutions to perform their duties, it is not the individuals’ names that dictate the scope of responsibility. Indeed, it is the evidence, along with the freedoms and rights of everyone, that must prevail, beginning with the right of justice to perform its duty.

Voice of America: One last question on this topic. Does it constitute a serious concern that your former deputy, Ergys Çyrbja, according to investigations so far, has been pushed to the top of the parliamentary list with the support of organized crime?

Prime Minister Rama: First of all, you’re asking me a question that has already been answered, both here and elsewhere, and it makes no sense to ask for another response. These matters are entirely unrelated to my duties and responsibilities. I am simply accountable for my job, for my duties. My role is not to carry out the work of another independent authority.

Voice of America: Mr. Rama, regarding the economy, the third-quarter data this year indicated strong and steady growth. However, it is noticeable that this growth is largely driven by the construction and tourism sectors. Given that these are vulnerable industries, is this the economic model Albania plans to continue pursuing?

Prime Minister Rama: First, the drivers of Albania’s economic growth extend far beyond just these sectors. Second, we are currently in a phase of development where construction plays an important role. And third, I don’t believe that the significant role of construction should be seen as a disadvantage. On the contrary, I consider it a major benefit at this stage of development.

Prime Minister Rama: I don’t think we should lament the fact that we have the fastest-growing airport in Europe, as confirmed by international institutions. Its growth outpaces that of the second-fastest growing airport. Today, Tirana’s airport processes more passengers, not in relative growth, but in total numbers, than Belgrade Airport, which has historically been the regional hub. Meanwhile, our Rinas Airport was once a small, makeshift terminal where passengers were counted like chickens, coming out in the morning and going back in at night.

Voice of America: Another economic data from the third-quarter results is the decline of the agriculture sector for three consecutive quarters. This sector is a significant contributor to the Gross Domestic Product, accounting for around 18%, if I’m not mistaken, and offers employment or self-employment to a large number of Albanians. What is your reasoning for this trend?

PM Rama: This is not an irreversible decline. It is a temporary phase that we had predicted, resulting from a pause in several investments from the EU program. However, we have already taken measures, and in the coming years, thanks to these efforts and some alternative funding, we will see growth that surpasses the highest agricultural growth periods of recent years.

Voice of America: Regarding the budget data, we are entering the second half of December with a significant surplus, approximately one billion euros. How do you explain that the executive institutions and state agencies are unable to spend the available funds?

Prime Minister Rama: In fact, we will have no unspent funds by the year’s end. There are several reasons, which are not appropriate to discuss here, for why project implementation is running at a slower pace than we would like. This delay is partly due to the time needed for procurement processes, the time required for appeals, and other factors. However, I am confident that we have clear measures in place to improve fund use and ensure their allocation over time, despite the lengthy procedures that are beyond our control. As I mentioned, numerous appeals and reversals of procedures point to a significant strengthening of the administration in terms of rule of law. This is confirmed by the European Commission through SIGMA, which ranks Albania first, with a considerable lead over the second country, in public procurement. All of this reflects the internal challenges faced by an organization that is growing and evolving.

Voice of America: Mr. Rama, before I move on to questions regarding the upcoming elections, I’d like to address a matter in Parliament. There has been a debate lasting over two years regarding Deputy Olta Xhaçka’s mandate. Your majority supported and argued that deputies should not be compelled to vote in a specific way, thus defying the Constitutional Court’s decision. However, the Venice Commission, in its Opinion, acknowledged the right of deputies not to be forced to vote in a particular manner, but also stated that “the Court had issued two rulings – and I quote from the Opinion – and the effective implementation of these decisions cannot be conditioned by the vote or the parliamentary majority.” Why do representatives of your majority, Mr. Rama, continue to defend the position that the Venice Commission supported your stance?

Prime Minister Rama: Because the representatives of our parliamentary majority read Albanian very well. The decision of the Commission is as clear as it gets in Albanian. Now, if we want to delve into legal technicalities, we know very well that two different lawyers, due to their differing positions, can interpret things differently. However, the Venice Commission’s decision is clear: this situation should never have arisen, as it goes against the fundamental principles of how a democratic state functions, where the three branches of government—the legislative, judicial, and executive—are independent from one another. It is not logical for any court, even the Constitutional Court, to impose on deputies how they should raise their hand. This simply does not happen.

Voice of America: Mr. Rama, the upcoming elections are around the corner. What will be the offer from the Socialist Party, which is now seeking a fourth term of office, considering that you are not comparing yourselves to others, but to your performance?

Prime Minister Rama: I believe the Socialist Party’s offer speaks for itself, backed by a strong foundation of facts. This is why the Socialist Party will win in May next year, securing the most decisive victory of all the elections we’ve consistently won. We are a political force unrivalled in every way, and defeat is out of the question for us.

…/ VOA/sm/