Fleckenstein: Justice for January 21st: Delay of the case is strange

TCH: Mr.Fleckenstein, the relatives of Aleks Nika, who met with you in Tirana, are demanding justice. What did you promise them?
 
Knut Fleckenstein: I promised to watch closely how things are progressing. Certainly, the expectancies are to find justice for their families. After four years, the cses are still under the investigation of the Prosecution. This is very strange, from the Brussels point of view. I really hope that the government, the Prosecution and the other actors will guarantee justice not only with words, but also with facts.
 
TCH: The Albanian government recognized the state-crime made against their relatives, by creating special pensions. Does the decriminalization request of the opposition include the investigation of today’s Mps, according to the relatives?
 
Knut Fleckenstein: I am not a Judge or an Albanian citizen. I cannot judge who is guilty or not. This is up to Albania. What I want, is that these relatives must feel that their issue is being treated seriously. Secondly, I value this declaration of Prime Minister Rama for the pensions. But this is only one part of the history. It is good, but partial. What you called “decriminalization” is another issue for us, more general. It is about how you treat in the public administration, people who have a criminal past. We promised to show to our Albanian colleagues how it works in other countries of the EU. It is somewhat different, but very similar and it might be adopted welpl to the Albanian reality.
 
TCH: Will you be involved with the Albanian politicians and try to resolve their disagreements, or will you keep being an European Parliament rapporteur?
 
Knut Fleckenstein: I will follow every case as a rapporteur. We will not automatically arrive in Tirana to resolve any problem. None of the parties needs a babysitter. They are voted by the people and they must now hold their responsibilities and treat these issues in a constructive and honest way.
 
TCH: Do you share the same opinion as the other mediator from the European People’s Parties, that if the political dialogue functions in Albania during the next two or three months, the EU might start the accession negotiations before the end of the year.
 
Knut Fleckenstein: I hope it will be like that. But I cannot say if this will happen by the end of this year. I hope it will be like that. If everything will go well and the reforms progress, this parliament will support the start of the negotiations. We both know that the council will say the last word. I would not be serious if I promised anything. However, we will always give our support.

Prepared by: Arta Tozaj

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