Interview for Albanian Daily News
Presevo Valley is not alone! We will build the new maternity hospital
for the residents.
SMI International
Secretary: Albanian diplomacy will continue its constructive line, despite
Serbia’s brutal behaviour.
ADN: Mr. Gjoni, in your view, what is taking place in
the Presevo Valley?
Ralf Gjoni: We believe that Serbia’s
decision to bring down the monument dedicated to the UCPMB’s veterans is an unnecessary
act of brutality against the Albanians of southern Serbia, which in my view
shows signs of Albanophobia while it gives a clear signal of negative
developments in the region. If Serbia is serious about its engagements towards
the EU and aims to achieve good neighbourly relations, its leaders should understand
that peace and stability in the Balkans do not come through masked special
forces or through Kalashnikovs and terror exercised against the Albanians of
the Presevo Valley, but through concrete programmes of economic development and
employment for the area. Serbia’s leaders have decided to choose the path of
terror and conflict, showing to the world they are militarily in control of the
area. The message given is that Albanians in Serbia should “shut up” and obey the
orders of Belgrade. For us, as SMI, a party in Government in Tirana, Serbia’s
actions are deplorable, and its leaders should know clearly that times have
changed from the era of Milosevic, and that Albanians in the Presevo Valley are
no longer alone or isolated.
ADN: But, don’t you think that Serbia has a right to
protect its territorial integrity?
Ralf Gjoni: I believe that a civilised
country should first protect and serve its citizens, and at the same time
ensure security within and around its borders. But this is not the case in the
Presevo Valley. The UCPMB monument, was not a threat to the lives of other citizens
in Serbia. Instead, it is an expression of the national pride and identity of
Albanians, as a minority within Serbia. As such, Serbia is in breach of the
European Convention of Human Rights, which embodies the rights of minorities
and their freedom of expression. This is not how minorities are treated across
democratic countries in Europe. Unfortunately, Serbia has shown that it has a
long way to go in guaranteeing better rights and conditions for the Albanians
in the Presevo Valley, while continues to regard them as third class citizens.
ADN: How do you view PM Berisha’s
statement that Tirana will review its relations with Belgrade, and do you
believe that Albania’s and Kosovo’s response has been adequate?
Ralf Gjoni: I believe that the response of the Albanian diplomacy
has been in line with our constitutional duty to protect the rights and
interests of Albanians outside of Albania. Since the historical visit of Mr.
Meta to Belgrade and then to Presevo, a lot of things have changed. We have now
removed visas between Albania and Serbia, human exchanges have increased
drastically between Presevo and Tirana while some initiatives have taken place
in aid of the residents.
While some isolated and
unacceptable incidents of vandalisms in Kosovo have taken place, and some rhetoric
from the albanosphere has been quite harsh, I believe that Albania should not
lower its standards to those of Serbia. We pride ourselves as the country with
the most constructive and positive foreign policy in the region, and despite
emotional provocations from negative elements in the region, we should continue
our constructive policy, but at the same time being firmer in defending the
interests of Albanians across the region, by using every bilateral and
multilateral mechanism we have at hand. Mr. Meta also spoke with Mr. Ragmi
Mustafa on the phone and encouraged him and other Albanian leaders to remain
calm and act responsibly, while guaranteeing them of Tirana’s full support.
On the other hand, we
believe that the dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia should go ahead and that
the positive momentum achieved in the region in recent years, together with our
strategic international partners, should not be allowed to be spoiled.
However, we encourage
Serbia’s leadership to abandon old, outdated methods and engage constructively
and actively with the Albanians of the Presevo Valley. As raised during Mr.
Meta’s visit to Belgrade, but also by Mr. Panariti in his recent meetings,
Serbia needs to start investing in the forgotten Presevo Valley and should
allow Albanians to have access to jobs in the state administration in the area.
Also, Serbia should invest much more in infrastructure and not delay building the
maternity. You should be aware that the economic isolation of the area, results
in the gradual decrease of the Albanian population in southern Serbia, as many
are forced to emigrate. After talks with Presevo’s Mayor Mr. Ragmi Mustafa we
have decided to initiate a contribution from Tirana, and we have agreed to
finance the maternity through our Government budget. Hopefully, Serbia will not
block such contributions from Tirana. We do it not only to help the Albanians
living in the Presevo Valley, but also because we believe that only by
improving the living standards and opportunities for the area, we can go ahead
in securing lasting peace and stability in the region. The response of Tirana
and Prishtina should remain within the limits of constructivism and in line
with our European aspirations.
ADN: What is the solution to Presevo
Valley’s problems and should the international factor play a greater role?
Ralf Gjoni: The EU’s role in mediating talks between Prishtina
and Belgrade and in conditioning Serbia in its European path has been crucial
and highly important. I believe that both the US and EU are closely following
the developments and their influence and contribution is invaluable. However,
through its latest acts of force in Presevo, Serbia is showing that it likes to
have EU candidate status, but it does not like to act like a candidate country. The EU should take note of that.
In our view, all
countries of the region should adhere to the democratic values of Europe,
particularly when it comes to its minorities, and should be serious in their path
to joining the EU, for our common future lies in Europe, despite certain
political leaders who are in power only temporarily. The solution to minimising
ethnic conflicts in the Balkans is the removal of barriers, economic
development and full integration into the European Union.
