American foreign affairs expert David Phillips declared that, contrary to what Prime Minister Edi Rama claims, closeness with Turkey presents an obstacle in Albania’s journey to Europe.
During an interview with the Voice of America, Phillips, currently Director of the Program on Peace-building and Rights at Columbia University’s Institute for the Study of Human Rights, warned that the high level of Turkish influence in Albania is concerning. In response, Prime Minister Rama declared that “a relationship with Turkey poses no threat to Albania.”
In order to clarify, once again, the Turkish influence in Albania, Phillips gave a phone interview to journalist Ilva Tare, in which he stated:
Albania shouldn’t be keeping close company with Turkey because this will further estrange Albania from any European prospects.
The European Parliament has voted to suspend [Turkey’s accession] negotiations. Mr. Juncker said that Turkey isn’t joining anytime soon.
We want to keep Albania close to the West, as Albania and the USA have a mutual appreciation and this close relationship with Turkey is not in the interest of Albania, and is not something the EU and the USA want
[regarding Turkish investment in Albania] I’d like to know where the money is going. There have been many accusations regarding public assets, including Telekom and other technological projects and, of course, there is the uncomfortable situation of the construction of an airport in Vlora. These large infrastructural and telecommunications assets are considerable and may be part of corrupt practices. A close monitoring is needed.
Turkey has been responsible for many crimes. I want to see Albania preserve its sovereignty, become more open and a more trusted NATO ally.
Mr. Rama mustn’t join such international currents. Albania must remain a sovereign country and the more this relationship with Turkey is fostered the more damage to its sovereignty.
