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REALPOLITIK FLASH NO. 52
17 – 31 AUGUST 2023
Grand Master Dr. Jorgji KOTE « dots the « I’s» and crosses the “t’s » on 4 major diplomatic events in only 1000 words
1.Marriage spoiled for a lemon! This aphorism suits to the private visit of Italy’s Prime Minister Mrs. Meloni in Vlora, Albania on 15 – 19 August.
Everything went on perfectly well until this visit was “ stolen” by four italian tourists who left a restaurant in the town of Berat without paying the invoice of 80 Euero. This true story which PM Rama shared with Mrs. Meloni as a joke became a media and political storm in Italy, although PM Meloni payed them herself. Nevertheless, debates and polemics continue with the logic that there is no reason why a Prime Minister pays for others in a foreign state. Ultimately, instead of talking on tourist attractions that Meloni enjoyed or any topic of discussions with PM Rama, the substance and the image of that private visit was reduced to the clamorous 80 Euros or more bluntly in Albanian « the marriage ceremony was spoiled just for a lemon”
2.The missed dinner! was for PM Rama the Informal Dinner hosted by Greek PM, Mitsotakis in Athens on 21 August for 11 leaders of the region, President Zelenski as the surprise guest and the two presidents of the EU, Von der Leyen and Charles Michel. It was a symbolic gathering on the occasion of the 20th Anniversary of the Thesalonikki Declaration which esxpresed the will and vision on EU Enlargement in Southeastern Europe. It was a golden opportunity for Greece to reconfirm its leadership and support for the EU accession of 6 WB states, Ukraine and Moldova. It was good news that PM of Kosovo Albin Kurti was there and met with the Host, von der Leyen and others. Nevertheless, the highlight there was the absence of PM Rama due to well-known “ Beleri case”. Very painful when one thinks that only three months ago they were together celebratin in Himara and in the Greek minority area in Dropull, where PM Rama even promised to erect a monument to Mitsotakis senior. Whereas now, in the midst of African heat, there is only ice and freeze between them! A spectacular failure of Rama’s claim 10 years ago for “ zero problems with the neighbours”!
It was another hard blow for PM Rama after his two slaps in face by PM Kurti refusing to meet him in Pristina and in Tirana in July. It was the first time ever that Albania was not represented in such a symbolic but very important event, especially now that we are in the EU screening, pending the genuine opening of the negotiations and benefiting from the relevant EU funding which maybe at stake now. The refusal to invite PM Rama in Athens is indeed a bad omen. In fact, the new EU Enlargement strategy leaves free space of action to each EU Member State, i.e. Greece in the concrete case and moreover as a neighbouring state to say “ No” To be frank, however wrong Greece could be with” Beleri” case, the problem is that we cannot justify our “ mule headed” persistence to keep in pre-detention for over three months a newly elected mayor and without giving him the opportunity to swear.
He could very easily be investigated in free condition, since he is not a criminal suspect. Moreover, the sharp accusation by PM Rama against him only two days before his arrest which he admitted himself to Ekathemeri cast shadows on the political nature of this act. Besides, this is a failure to apply the sacred principle of a due legal process – presumption of innocence. However, there is sufficient time to rectify this error or omission, otherwise it would be better not to hope an acceleration of our negotiations for EU accession. Moreover that PM Rama has once correctly said that we are “ begars” whereas Greece, like or not, is much more powerful and reliable even as international and Euro – Atlantic partner.
3. Sphinx and challenge to the West! This is likely to become the group BRICS ( Brasil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) which on 22 – 24 August held its 15th Summit in Johannesburg, with the presence of 50 world leaders. Figures talk louder than words. BRICS accounts for 40 per cent of the world population and 31 per cent of its GDP, larger than G – 7. Thus, it represents a sphinx, clallenge and threat to the West. BRICS is right now opposed the western primacy, the US dollar, politically speaking it claims to be non-aligned, but in practical terms it tends to line on China and Russia; its goal is to establish another large political, military and economic pole. Even Brasil, India and South Africa that are democratic states are attempting to be independent and unaffected by western powers.
Meanwhile, Bricks enlargement with 6 other big states and over 20 others awaiting to become its members makes this threat more likely. Nonetheless, it is very difficult for BRICS at least for the time being to threaten the West, since it cannot become super power only with an immense economy. Besides, BRICKS does not have leading or coordinating structure, as the EU, NATO and the Council of Europe. There are also many political, economic and military disagreements among its members; they have different and incompatible alternatives on the world order that are not beter from the current one. Therefore, BRICKS can hardly compete with G – 7. Nevertheless, it poses a real threat to the western alliance.
4. The Summer theatre in Bled! This is the proper name for the summer regional summits hosted in the most beautiful tourist and historic attractions. Theatre shows, where each state does its best to expose its shining sides in that African heat. Each summer at least 10 such forums are held in Western Balkans. However, their outcome is almost nil! Even worse, conflicts and disaccords have left no capital in the region unaffected and namely – Skopje – Sofia, Pristina – Belgrade, Tirana – Pristina, Belgrade – Podgorica, Tirana – Athens! Hence, being uncapable of changing something throughspeeched with “ eats& drinks” the biggest “success” in Bled was the hands-shaking PM Rama – Kurti, two months after Kurti’s diplomatic “embargo”. Including certainly stories and strategic jokes cracked as usual by our Prime Minister. Not more not less. Let us wish that Bled marked the end of the boring summer reagional theatre.
© 2023 Argumentum
