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Albania and Greece: Understanding and Explaining

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Albania and Greece: Understanding and Explaining Albania and Greece: Understanding and explaining ALBANIA ANDRINIA GREECE: SHQIPTARE 2011 UNDERSTANDING AND EXPLAINING Mes besimit për të ardhmen dhe dyshimit Alba Cela për të tashmen! Albert Rakipi Andi Balla Bashkim ZeneliAlba Çela Bledar Feta Tidita Fshazi Dorian Koçi Arbjan Mazniku Jordan Jorgji Geron Kamberi Zyra e Tiranës Konstantinos GiakoumisJonida Smaja – koordinatore e FES Rruga “Abdi Toptani”, Torre Drin, kati 3 Ledion Krisafi P.O. Box 1418 Tirana, Albania Selami Xhepa Telefon: 00355 (0) 4 2250986 00355 (0) 4 2273306 Homepage: http://www.fes.org.al 199 Albania and Greece: Understanding and explaining Albania and Greece: Understanding and explaining Alba Cela Albert Rakipi Andi Balla Bashkim Zeneli Bledar Feta Dorian Koçi Jordan Jorgji Konstantinos Giakoumis Ledion Krisafi Selami Xhepa January 2018 1 Albania and Greece: Understanding and explaining Published by: Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung Office Tirana Rr. Abdi Toptani Torre Drin, Kati i 3-të Kutia Postare 1418 Tirane, ALBANIA Authors: Alba Cela Albert Rakipi Andi Balla Bashkim Zeneli Bledar Feta Dorian Koçi Jordan Jorgji Konstantinos Giakoumis Ledion Krisafi Selami Xhepa The opinions, findings, conclusions and recommendations expressed in this publishing are of the respective authors and do not necessarily represent those of the Foundations. This publication cannot be used for commercial purposes without a prior written approval by both Foundations. 2 Albania and Greece: Understanding and explaining Table of contents Albania-Greece relations in the context of Albania’s EU integration process: gap between reality and perception Alba Cela .......................................................................................... 5 Understanding Albanian-Greek relations: Deconstructing paradoxes and myths Albert Rakipi ................................................................................... 17 Migration: Bridge or pitfall in Albania – Greece relations? Andi Balla ....................................................................................... 35 Why are the Albanian-Greek relations moving backwards? Bashkim Zeneli ................................................................................ 47 Bilateral Governmental Communication: A Tool for Stronger Albanian-Greek Relations Bledar Feta ...................................................................................... 71 Unsolved political issues between Greece and Albania threaten the stability and liberal democracy in Balkans Dr. Dorian Koçi ............................................................................. 107 Public opinion and Albanian-Greek relations Jordan Jorgji ................................................................................. 115 3 Albania and Greece: Understanding and explaining Greek-Albanian Relations in Greek and Albanian Historiography of the 2000s Konstantinos Giakoumis ................................................................. 137 The Greek foreign policy towards Kosovo and the region and the implications for the Albanian-Greek relations Ledion Krisafi ................................................................................ 161 The economics of Albanian-Greece cooperation Selami Xhepa ................................................................................. 175 4 Albania and Greece: Understanding and explaining Albania-Greece relations in the context of Albania’s EU integration process: gap between reality and perception Alba Cela1 Abstract: Most of Albanian citizens asked in a national poll in 2013 about whether Greece would like to see Albania in the European Union answered no2, an answer that might sound expected in the context of the difficult relationships but that actually sounds perplexing when compared to the past track record of relevant developments. This belief that Greece is out there to become an obstacle to Albania’s integration path is unfortunately present in segments of the population. Yet it sharply contrast to the real performance of the Greek state and representatives when it comes to Albania’s integration. Whereas it remains true that Greek politicians from time to time mention integration when complaining about the handling of some issues in Albania, Greece has not done any significant step to halter integration so far. Greece has never vetoed any significant milestone in Albania’s European path compared to let’s say other countries such as the Netherlands did when it came to granting Albania candidate status. On the contrary Greece, just like Italy and Austria, is one of the engaged supporters of Albania’s European path. This paper tries to analyze 1. Alba Cela, Deputy Director of the Albanian Institute for International Studies 2. “Albanian Greek relations from the eyes of the Albanian public – perceptions 2013”, A. Cela; S. Lleshaj http://library.fes.de/pdf-files/bueros/albanien/10896.pdf 5 Albania and Greece: Understanding and explaining this gap between perception and reality and offer a rationale for efforts to improve communication related to this particular issue. Introduction European integration is a complex and rich process that has the potential not only to transform countries internally but also to significantly improve the relations between neighbors sharing a tough history fraught with misunderstandings and even enmity. The European Union’s appeal stands first and foremost in its being a project of and for peace. When it comes to the process of European integration of the Balkan countries, the Union has been clear and determined to outline the condition that countries need to have normalized relations before membership. The solution of bilateral issues for example is one of the key components that has harnessed attention and effort during these years.3 The solution of bilateral disputes is an unnegotiable condition that stems not only from the values of good neighborhood which are at the core of the EU, but also from the EU’s previous bitter experience with cases such as Cyprus. Unfortunately countries have become veto-powers and obstacles when it comes to the progress of European integration and have continued their conflictual rhetoric even after becoming members such as the cases of Croatia and Slovenia show. The most obvious example is that of Greece vetoing any further steps of the European integration of the Former Republic of Macedonia based on the name issue. The fear that something similar can happen to Albania is quite present in Albanians discourse, shadowing the real relationship that has existed 3. “Joint Declaration Adopted by Western Balkans Foreign Ministers in Vienna – Countries Will Not Obstruct Neighbours’ Progress in EU Integrations”, http://balkanfund.org/2015/08/joint-declaration-adopted-by-western-balkans- governments-representatives-in-vienna-countries-will-not-obstruct-neighbours- progress-in-eu-integrations/ Accessed on August 29, 2017. 6 Albania and Greece: Understanding and explaining these years between the two countries when it comes to EU integration. The risk is alarming. The European integration process is not only a national aspiration with no political alternative in Albania. It is the process by which all important reforms are vested with legitimacy, assistance and are monitored. The EU conditionality pushes forward the transformation of the country. All delays and obstacles in this process are simultaneously delays in the overall progress achieved in the transformation of the country. However the record has shown that Greece has had a different attitude towards Albania, at elats until recently. It has supported the reforms and shown considerable backing for Albania’s integration milestones in the past such as status issue or even visa liberalization. As Albania approaches a hopeful time for the possibility of opening negotiations, with a positive appraisal from European actors4 upon the solution of its recent political crisis and the regular held elections, the issue of guaranteeing the support of its neighbors becomes a primary importance item. In the first address to the Albanian Assembly, Prime Minister Rama said that the only country with which Albania had ‘issues’ was Greece and that he was determined to seek a collaborative relation while upholding Albania’s rights. These declarations come at a time when the press is pushing hard once again the possibility of Athens blocking the integration path upon unresolved issues, including a recent one concerning properties in Himara. This context brings forward once again the persisting contrast between the fiery rhetoric of both countries when it comes to their relationship and the European integration framework and the previous experience of sustaining constructive assistance in the process of accession. 4. http://top-channel.tv/lajme/artikull.php?id=363977#k1 7 Albania and Greece: Understanding and explaining Brief history Despite many political problems, confrontations and unfortunate events, Greece has been a crucial partner in Albania’s transition. One need to remember the impact of hundreds of thousands of Albanian citizens who found an economic viability and then build a life in the southern neighbor, providing precious remittances to their parents; the important economic investments and assistance provided by the southern neighbor and most pertinently its continuous political and international support when it comes to both NATO and European integration processes. More specifically during the decision making times in the Union regarding Albania, Greece has consistently fallen in the supporting camp.
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