In an interview with the Voices of America’s Albanian section, Kasanof called on Albania to keep momentum in the fight against corruption and organized crime, stating that nobody is above the law.

Asked about the developments in Kosovo, the U.S. official Kasanof said he would not comment on the policy and position of the next American administration.

He affirmed the U.S. support for judicial reform and Albania’s journey towards a fairer society.

“Judicial reform is not easy, but it is necessary,” he said.

“Albania’s success matters not just for its own future but for stability across the region. SPAK must follow the evidence wherever it leads, ensuring justice for all,” he told the Voice of America.

Asked  whether the relation between Washington and Albania’s former President and former Prime Minister Sali Berisha – who has been designated by the U.S. Department of State for major corruption in 2021 – could change now that he leads the main opposition in Albania, Kasanof noted that corruption-related designations were a leveraging tool to promote accountability and counter corruption.

“I normally don’t comment on the designated individuals and about details of their cases. What I would like to reiterate is that the United States see designations as a key tool to assist justice system reforms, counter corruption and organized crime. These are tools to help local agencies like SPAK to accomplish their missions, as well as to help efforts aimed at improving the rule of law and ongoing justice system reforms,” he said.

Kasanof condemned a recent attack on infrastructure in northern Kosovo, labelling it “deliberate destabilisation” and urging a full investigation.

“Dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia remains essential. The United States stands ready to support any steps towards lasting peace,” he concluded.

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Her untimely passing is a huge loss for her family and her colleagues at the Voice of America’s Albanian service.

Rudina Dervishi has been working as an International Broadcaster at VOA for 25 years, giving a valuable contribution through her professionalism and passionate journalist, covering a range of topics, including economy, politics, human rights, women rights and arts.

She was survived by her husband, three sons and her mother.

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Begaj emphasized that the political forces should not see each other as enemies and that conflict and the language of hatred should remain a thing of the past. Begaj said that in respect of his function as head of state, and in respect of the Constitution, he will be above the parties.

“It is necessary for all political forces to rediscover the spirit of dialogue and cooperation, to see each other not as opponents or enemies, but as opponents of political convictions, with a common mission and goal, the progress of Albania”, said Begaj.

Further on, he said he noticed with concern the emigration, especially of the professionals and specialists.

“It is the duty of the responsible institutions to analyze the situation, look at finding opportunities and drafting development policies, make reforms, so that all people feel calm and comfortable in Albania, to build their lives in Albania. We must support young people, not with words, but with deeds. We must accept and develop their ideas. And why not, let’s make them dream and build their lives in their country, in their lands”, said Begaj.

The President also focused on the relations with Greece and the issue of the sea between the two countries.

Begaj said that: “Our country has good relations with all its neighbors. Neighboring Greece is a strategic partner for our country, as well as a very important economic partner. We are an allied country in the NATO and we build relations based on reciprocity and mutual respect. The ancient history and culture of both countries, as well as the Albanian community in Greece and the Greek community in Albania, are strong connecting bridges of this cooperation and friendship.”

Speaking about the open issues, like the issue of the sea, “I will deal with it in full respect of the Constitution of the Republic of Albania, in accordance with the decisions of the Constitutional Court, agreements and international law, of course, in respect of good neighborliness, reciprocity and as an ally in NATO.”

Speaking about Kosovo, the president said that, “The security of Kosovo is very important for the security of Albania, the Western Balkans and Europe itself. Any tension in the situation in the north of Kosovo could affect the security of the Western Balkans and of Europe itself. Albania is always promoting and reinforcing the voice of Kosovo, everywhere in the international arena. We strongly support the dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia to reach a comprehensive agreement with mutual recognition and respect for minorities according to the constitution of the Republic of Kosovo. One thing is certain: Sovereignty and territorial integrity is inalienable.”/p.s./

Kraja, on a visit to the United States for high-level talks with Department of State Officials, Justice Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration officials and representatives from other American law enforcement agencies, told an interview with the Albanian section of the Voice of America (VOA) that the anti-corruption and anti-organized crime prosecution office will continue to closely work with the United States in order to deliver on its fight against corruption.

Kraja commented on his meetings in Washington and some of the files SPAK is investigating in Albania.

Regarding the question that U.S senators have introduced a bill designed to fight corruption in the Western Balkan countries through a special legislation on the sanctions that Washington has imposed on individuals who threaten stability and peace in the region, SPAK chief prosecutor Kraja said that the agency he heads is committed to press with all the criminal cases currently under investigation, including high-level officials..

“The issue of corruption in Albania, as well as in other Balkan countries, is worrisome. It is because the lack of impunity, a culture of impunity for senior officials involved in corruption practices and scandals that a sweeping judiciary reform has been launched and is underway in Albania and a new anti-corruption body has been established. Over the past two and a half years, we have been working mostly to consolidate this structure and yield concrete results,” Kraja said.

SPAK, the new body created as part of the wider and crucial judicial reform process is tasked with investigating high-level corruption and organised crime cases in the country.

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In an interview with the Voice of America at the end of the two-day visit to Albania as part of her Western Balkans tour, Donfried said that at meetings with Prime Minister Edi Rama, his cabinet members and the main opposition MPs, she applauded Albania’s progress in delivering on important reforms.

Further deepening Albania-U.S. partnership was the focus of talks in Tirana.

In her interview, the U.S. senior official commented on the relations with Albania, the expectations about reforms and the fight against corruption.

The Assistant Secretary of State also provided details about meeting with DP lawmakers, namely Enkelejd Alibeaj, Gazment Bardhi and Jorida Tabaku, she recognizes as the opposition’s leaders, saying talks with them focused on the future and not on the past.

Donfried said the Americans do not meet with persons designated by the US, referring to former PM Sali Berisha.

“Secretary Blinken designated Mr. Berisha due to the acts of corruption in which he was involved and I, as US official, cannot meet with designated persons. I believe the US position is very clear. In fact, today I met with opposition leaders and I’d like to share with you the fact that our discussions didn’t focus on the past, but on the future and what the Democratic Party is looking to achieve,” she said.

Donfried also focused on impact of the Russian aggression on Ukraine in the Balkans.

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Touching on the so-called Open Balkan initiative, Bregu said that,”it is up to us to provide an open opportunity to welcome and consider ideas which are present in the region.

“This does not mean that the region becomes better and more competitive and attracts more foreign investment given that there are only three countries. It is always better to have 6 countries. The final goal, regardless of the speed and lane that countries choose to follow, is that the 6 economies of the region to be together under one umbrella, which is called the common regional market.”Bregu said.

The Open Balkan, an initiative of the Prime Ministers of Albania and North Macedonia, as well as the President of Serbia, has not found the support of Kosovo, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Montenegro. The Prime Minister of Kosovo said that, this initiative is more like an Open Balkan for influences from the East, an Open Balkan for autocracy, corruption, and the war criminals who continue to be not only free in Serbia, but also in power.

Bregu also spoke about the concerns recently addressed by the United States, about a delay in the process of European integration of the Balkan countries. //a.i/

Asked about the United States’ stance on the Open Balkans initiative, embraced by Albania, Serbia and North Macedonia, excluding other countries in the region, the spokesman said that the United States calls on the leaders in the region to “try to find opportunities to reduce trade barriers, increase economic competitiveness and build integrated, dynamic economies in aid of their citizens.”

The statement attaches great importance to the creation of a Common Regional Market – that guarantees the free movement of people, goods and services – considering it “essential for attracting investments and economic growth”.

“The Western Balkans is a region with great untapped potential, which is reflected in the vision and efforts of its peoples to create a prosperous and successful region, fully integrated into the European Union,” the US Department of State spokeswoman said. //a.i/