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Today, she had meetings with Prime Minister Edi Rama and other members of the government, as well as with opposition MPs. The deepening of the partnership between the two countries was at the center of the visit. Before leaving Tirana, the senior State Department official spoke to VOA about relations with Albania and expectations regarding reforms and the fight against corruption. The Assistant Secretary also gives details about the meeting she had today with the PD deputies Enkelejd Alibeaj, Gazmend Bardhi and Jorida Tabaku, whom she considers as leaders of the opposition, explaining that the conversation was focused not on the past, but on the future.
Donfried underlined the well-known position that US officials can not meet with declared persons, such as the case of former Prime Minister Sali Berisha. In an exclusive interview with VOA’s Tirana correspondent Armand Mero, the Assistant Secretary of State dwells on the impact of Russian aggression in Ukraine in the Balkans.
Voice of America: Mrs. Donfried, first of all, I want to thank you for this opportunity. In the press release announcing your tour in the region, it was said that in Albania, among other things, you would emphasize the need for full implementation of justice reform and the fight against corruption. What specifically did you ask from the Albanian side?
Deputy Secretary Donfried: First, thank you for giving me the opportunity to speak with you. It is wonderful to be here in Tirana, on such a beautiful day full of sunshine and to coincide with the year when we celebrate the 100th anniversary of Albania-US relations. It is a special pleasure to be here now.
We have worked closely with Albania for several decades now and I am excited to see how Albania is moving towards an ever deeper Euro-Atlantic integration. We celebrate the fact that we have Albania as an ally in NATO and we extremely strongly support Albania’s move towards membership in the European Union.
As part of that process, Albania has undertaken a series of democratic reforms. Some of them, as you know, have targeted corruption and focused on justice reform.
In my conversations here, I also applauded the progress that Albania has made, but I also said go ahead, there is more to do and the US is with Albania to support greater progress with these reforms.
Voice of America: Ms. Donfried, the U.S. Department of State recently released its annual human rights report. According to the Report, the main problems in Albania are “the independence of the judiciary, impunity, or corruption pervasive in all branches of government.” According to the report, Albania has not made any progress in recent years, as the same problems are constantly repeated. What do you think about this? What does it tell you about the state of Albanian democracy? Freedom House, just a week ago called the Albanian system a hybrid / transitional.
Deputy Secretary Donfried: I think what is important about these reports is that in some cases they both recognize the progress made, but also emphasize what remains to be done. And in the case of these reforms in Albania, I would argue that you are now beginning to see the impact of the legislation that was passed here in Albania, which is being implemented now. And, yes, as I said when I answered the previous question, I think there is still a lot that Albania needs to do and we support that. But, I think that now you are starting to see exactly that important impact of the legislation that Albania has.
Voice of America: Ms. Donfried, last year the US Secretary of State appointed former Prime Minister Sali Berisha, for major corruption. But his determination and the US insistence on leaving Mr. Berisha out of the parliamentary group, strengthened his position in the party and today it seems that he, almost “de facto” has regained control of the Democratic Party, aiming at re-election as chairman of the party. saj. Does this situation bother you? And how far would US relations with an opposition led by Mr. Berisha go? What impact could this have on US-Albanian relations?
Deputy Secretary Donfried: Secretary Blinken declared Mr. Berisha because of the acts of corruption in which he was involved and I, as an official of the US government, can not meet with persons declared. I believe the US position is very clear. In fact, I met with opposition leaders today and I will share with you the fact that I was impressed by how much our conversation focused not on the past but on the future and what the DP wants to achieve and expect in terms of moving forward. of Albania’s objectives.
Voice of America: You said that today you met three deputies of the Democratic Party, Mr. Alibeaj, Mrs. Tabaku and Mr. Bardhi. In what capacity did you meet them, because Mr. Berisha does not recognize them as leaders of the Democratic Party?
Deputy Secretary Donfried: I met with them in my capacity as Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs and in their capacity as leaders of the Democratic Party. And it is very common when I travel to meet both members of the government and members of the opposition. And for me it is always very inspiring, something that excites your thinking and useful to hear different perspectives from different perspectives.
Voice of America: We have recently seen a lot of criticism and reactions to the US ambassador, especially from a large segment of the opposition, accusing her of interfering in Albanian politics. What is your reaction?
Deputy Secretary Donfried: I can assure you that US President Joe Biden, US Secretary of State Tony Blinken and I all have full confidence in Ambassador Yuri Kim. And it is a great pleasure to have people of her caliber and with her integrity in the US government. And I think that even this country, Albania, could not have had more luck than to have it as a representative of my country and working every day to strengthen what is already an important relationship between the United States and Albania.
Voice of America: In addition to Berisha, Washington recently sanctioned a former lawmaker, Aqif Rakipi, with clear links to the ruling majority party. What are your expectations from the Albanian authorities?
Deputy Secretary Donfried: I think I was clear about the role that advertisements play. Regarding what is happening in Albania after them, I would say that I believe that Albanian citizens, like people all over the world, want to support pure candidates.
Voice of America: Ms. Donfried, the democratic world is today challenged by Russia’s aggression against Ukraine. What do you think are the consequences for the Balkans, given the Russian influence in some countries of our region?
Deputy Secretary Donfried: First let me say how sad it is to see Ukrainians being killed every day.
Russia on February 24 undertook an unprovoked and unjustified frontal aggression against Ukraine and over the last two months we have seen the brutality of that aggression, whether in the incessant bombing of Mariupol, or the crimes we have seen in Bucha.
There are so many horrible cases I can mention. Every day is a tragic day for Ukraine.
And the United States has taken a very strong position in that conflict. Our position is further strengthened by the fact that allies like Albania are standing firmly by our side. Albania has a key role in all three pillars of our strategy: It is helping Ukraine: it is imposing costs on Russia, it is contributing to NATO, ensuring that our eastern and southeastern wing is properly protected; and in the UN Security Council where Albania is a co-host with us for Ukraine. I could go on and on.
But this is a battle not only for Ukraine. It is, of course, about Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. But it is also about the European security environment and it is basically about the principles we believe in, according to which every state has the right to make its own sovereign decisions about its foreign and security policy, many of the principles basic European security with which, in fact, Russia has agreed in the OSCE and other bodies. So the significance of this moment is tremendous.
And I repeat that President Biden, Secretary Blinken deeply believe that our position in facing this moment is strong thanks to allies like Albania.
Voice of America: Are you concerned about Serbia’s position not to join EU sanctions against Russia?
Deputy Secretary Donfried: Let me start by saying that Serbia stood on the right side of history in early March in the first vote in the UN General Assembly, when one hundred and forty-one countries, including Serbia, voted to condemn Russia’s attack. to Ukraine and demanded that Russia withdraw. There were five countries in the UN that voted against this resolution. Even in a second resolution of the UN General Assembly, a humanitarian resolution, Serbia voted alongside Albania and the United States. And then there was the vote to suspend Russia from the UN Human Rights Council. And again, Serbia voted with us. I think it is important to acknowledge that these were difficult decisions and to appreciate the decision taken by Serbia.
In terms of sanctions, as I mentioned, the United States believes it is important to impose costs on Vladimir Putin. The actions he is taking are unjustified, unprovoked and brutal, and in this regard, we call on Serbia to align its position with the EU and the sanctions it has imposed. And I would emphasize here that what the United States and the European Union are doing on the sanctions front, coordination in this regard, is a notable example of our cooperation.
I also want to emphasize that the feedback package includes sanctions and controls on exports and I think these controls on exports are also important. I want to emphasize that this coalition that stands firmly against the brutal actions of Russia includes not only our European allies and partners, but also our allies and partners in Asia. And I think the fact that a big part of the world is coming out against them is of great importance.
Voice of America: And a question: Do you think that Serbia’s recent arms purchases from Russia and China pose a threat to security and stability in the Balkans?
Karen Donfried: I must say that there was a difference of opinion between some Europeans and the United States about Russia’s plans on the eve of February 24, and I think that since some of our European allies and partners did not believe that Russia would launch that attack, in many ways 24 February was for most of Europe the equivalent of what 9/11 was for the United States, and it has shown us all a side of Russia that we hoped did not exist.
When a country makes decisions about arms purchases and of course when you think in a broad perspective about relations with that country, it is very difficult to imagine any country having an unchanged relationship with Russia after February 24th. I would refer again to the decisions taken by Serbia at the UN.
China, I believe, has made a strategic decision to be allied with Russia.
And, I repeat, I think that any decision that a country makes regarding arms purchases is informed from that broad perspective on how a relationship with Russia or China should be ongoing. I’m content with that.
Voice of America: Thank you very much.
Karen Donfried: My pleasure and thank you for all the excellent work at VOA.
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