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Berisha at the EPP summit: Drug state in Albania, the main obstacle to EU integration

Politiko 2025-03-17 19:14:45

Berisha at the EPP summit: Drug state in Albania, the main obstacle to EU

The Chairman of the Democratic Party, Sali Berisha, was present today at the Regional Summit of the European People's Parties for the integration of the Balkans towards the EU, which is taking place in Podgorica, Montenegro.

In a statement to the media in Podgorica, the leader of the Democratic Party said that the drug state in Albania is the main obstacle to Albania's integration into the EU.

Question: What was the focus of this meeting with the EPP?
Sali Berisha: The focus of the meeting was the Western Balkans in relation to the integration processes, challenges and obstacles.
I had the opportunity to present the views of the Democratic Party on the integration processes of Albania and the region. Of course, from the opposition's point of view, the slowdown of this process has internal causes according to the countries.
The narco-state in Albania is the main obstacle to Albania's integration into the EU.
Albania, as the first and only narco-state in Europe, is not fully recognized as such, but I think that more and more is being contributed to making the Albanian reality known to the political elite of the European center-right and beyond.

Question: What was the position of Manfred Weber as the president of the EPP in this meeting?
Sali Berisha: You saw that they listened to me with great interest. And then I received very positive comments from those present about the discussion I had. It was an open discussion, of course I was the only opposition member on the panel, since the others represented the government. I said from the beginning that I represent the opposition and I have different views regarding the slowness of the integration process which is almost entirely due to local factors. From the lack of respect for democratic standards, from the deep penetration of crime in governance. In Albania specifically, the narco-state, from the use of political terror to obtain votes and mandates.
So I presented the Albanian reality as it is.

Question: How was your return to the EPP received after a long time, in fact.
Sali Berisha: It was received in a great way. This return of its kind is epic, so I met old friends and they congratulated me. Of course, their determination too. Albania is not what it was. Knowledge about Albania is completely different today. Edi Rama will have an impossible time manipulating, as he has manipulated opinions until now.

Question: Is this the time for Sali Berisha's comeback?
Sali Berisha: It's a fact, it's true, it's the truth.