“The focus has to be on EU integration with no distractions. Sincere cooperation for the fulfilment of the conditions set is of paramount importance. I heard commitments to the EU path from all sides, and now is the time to prove that in practice. I have big expectations of the All-inclusive Plan for European Integration Measures which will be presented soon and discussed by all important stakeholders,” says Slovenia’s Ambassador to Albania Peter Japelj
By Genc Mlloja
Senior Diplomatic Editor
“Slovenia is a dedicated friend of Albania and active supporter of its EU integration,” has said Ambassador of Slovenia to Tirana Peter Japelj in an exclusive interview with Albanian Daily News which touched upon a wide range of topics starting with the coronavirus epidemic, the swift reaction to combat it and to cope with the economic, financial and social repercussions. The Ambassador dwelt at length on his government’s efforts to support as much as possible the tourist season in 2020 and the longer term recovery of the tourist sector. “Slovenia has intense contacts with neighbouring countries, partners in the region and in the EU to elaborate adequate approaches to restart the tourist flows,” he said.
In a comment on the first reaction of EU member states on COVID-19 was the withdrawal behind their national borders. “It took some time for the EU to start reacting again as an economic and political union of 27 countries. So the challenge, to my opinion, is to prevent the situation “everyone for themselves” in case of a new crisis,” said Mr. Japelj.
According to the Ambassador, the highlight of Albania’s political life has recently been the Council conclusions of 25 March 2020, followed by the summit in Zagreb, and its declaration. “An uninterrupted EU path of Albania is a vital issue and the demolition of the National Theatre should not affect it in any way,” said Ambassador of Slovenia to Tirana Peter Japelj in the interview which follows:
Albanian Daily News: At the outset let me thank you Mr. Ambassador for this opportunity to share your opinions with ADN’s readers and as it has been the case with most of the guests to our newspaper the first issue discussed has been the pandemic. And having followed the process of the infection in Slovenia I have learned that your Government has officially declared the end to the COVID-19 epidemic in the country. So please can you tell us which was the key to this achievement and secondly as there is still a risk of the spread of virus what specific measures have been adopted to keep the situation under control?
Ambassador of Slovenia Peter Japelj: First, let me thank you for giving me the opportunity to present some information on the current situation. Indeed, the Government of Slovenia called an official end to its coronavirus epidemic on 15 May, which was declared on 12 March. However this decision was applied only last Sunday, on 31 May. Until then certain measures like wide scale testing, contact tracing and bans on public gatherings were kept in place. Wearing face masks in public spaces remained mandatory, as well until the end of May.
The basis for such a decision was the conclusion of the National Institute for Public Health, which has a similar role as the Technical Committee of Experts in Albania that all indicators point to a slowdown in the spread of the virus in the population. The conclusion was prepared after due reflection, based on the expert recommendation and general improvement of the epidemic situation. One of the main indicators was the reproductive number for the virus being below one.
Slovenia, very much like in Albania, has reacted swiftly and has taken the right measures. The key for the successful coping with the epidemic has been awareness and respect of the measures by people.
The end of the epidemic of course doesn’t automatically mean a return to the life we were used to before the crisis. It’s the beginning of a new way of life. Social distancing will be part of it for some time, and it will be advisable not to leave home without a face mask at hand.
Slovenia will continue to adjust its health system and will test all persons with signs of respiratory infections. In case of the return of the disease the aim is to be in the position to introduce less strict measures and to prevent severe consequences for the economy. The decisions on reintroduction of measures will be taken on the basis of a whole specter of indicators.
– As there is a broad discussion in Albania regarding the opportunities of the opening to tourism, it would be very helpful Mr. Ambassador to learn more details on Slovenian government’s platform on this aspect as a country rich in experience in the field of tourism?
– As everywhere, Slovenian tourist sector has been hit hard by the crisis caused by the virus. The government adopted several measures to help workers in tourism during the lockdown. The key questions at the moment are supporting as much as possible the tourist season in 2020 and the longer term recovery of the tourist sector. Slovenia has intense contacts with neighbouring countries, partners in the region and in the EU to elaborate adequate approaches to restart the tourist flows.
Third package of anti-corona measures that the Government passed includes a voucher for citizens of Slovenia to be spent for accommodation in Slovenia. All adults will receive a voucher worth 200 Euro, and those below 18 years 50 Euro. The vouchers will be valid until the end of the year. It is expected that with the cost accommodation covered, tourists will spend their money also on other tourist capacities in Slovenia, like restaurants and animation, helping the tourist industry to overcome the difficult times.
On the other hand, the crisis is seen as an opportunity to present Slovenia even more strongly as a unique tourist destination. These views are supported by a recent article on the web site of Forbes, which placed Slovenia among top 7 countries having the potential to become major tourist destinations in a post-covid world.
In addition, the European Best Destinations Organization (EBD) which falls under the European Commission’s EDEN Network (“European Destinations of Excellence”), working to promote sustainable tourism, listed the alpine jewel Bohinj among safest places to travel in 2020. Another event which will also have influence on the importance of Slovenia as a tourist destination is the announcement on 16 June of Slovenian chefs to receive their first Michelin stars. As I appreciate good food I look forward to hearing who will be among the best.
By the way, I have to mention that I was “warned” of excellent food in Albania before I started my mandate and the danger of gaining weight during my mandate here. The Albanian cuisine exceeded my big expectations and I see opportunities for gastro cooperation between our countries next year, when Slovenia will be European Region of Gastronomy.
– It is reported that Slovenia is opening borders with some countries, the latest one to be Hungary on June 1 this year as I have learned. How are you proceeding, Your Excellency, with the opening of the borders, and if I may ask are you in contact with Albanian relevant authorities on such an issue?
– The opening of the border with Hungary, based on the reciprocity, was announced after the meeting of the foreign ministers on 28 May. Taking into account the fact that both countries have successfully fought the epidemic, the ministers agreed on the immediate opening of four border crossings. Hungary is the second neighbour after Croatia, where the border was opened for the citizens of both sides without restrictions related to the COVID – 19. The ministers advocated also for the opening of the borders in the region as soon as possible. As of 5 June the border crossings with our third neighbour Austria are also open.
Further opening of the borders will resume gradually, continuing with neighbours and nearby states. Slovenia is in this regard in regular contact with countries in the region and active in the framework of the EU. The government and the National Institute for Public Health collects data on epidemic situations in other countries, and this is the basis for the consideration of future steps. However, as it seems, the crucial date will be the 15th of June, when the borders will be opened widely in the EU. I believe this will also affect the opening of other borders. As was already stressed several times, and supported by Slovenia, it would be correct and useful to open the borders with Western Balkan, of course, taking into account the epidemic situation in every single state. Just to recall that during the peak of the COVID crisis, green corridors were set up for the transport of goods between the EU and Western Balkans. It is only fair to enable our citizens to travel freely, as well.
– ‘Solidarity!’ has been the urge of the World Health Organization at these hard times. What can you say about the Slovenian humanitarian contribution in the combat of the pandemic, particularly to provide aid and expertise to WB countries, including Albania?
– Solidarity was also the leitmotif at the audio-video conference of foreign ministers of the Western Balkans, the EU countries and high representatives of the European Union in the second half of May. That was a very important meeting on the ways of successful cooperation that will be needed in the coming phases of addressing the socio-economic consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic. Slovenian minister Logar underlined the importance of solidarity and regional collaboration in the Western Balkans. The adopted plan, among others, includes strengthening the cooperation in most affected sectors. Enhanced collaboration between epidemiologists and public health workers is foreseen to tackle the pandemic and prevent future outbreaks.
More than 50 percent of Slovenian humanitarian aid in this year was linked to COVID-19 crisis. Slovenia will also ensure that at least 20% of this year’s development projects will focus on assisting partner countries, among them Albania, in confronting the COVID-19 virus.
Slovenia engaged itself in the EU, supporting the Team Europe approach, the EU support package as a response to the coronavirus pandemic in the Western Balkan, and the idea of development of EU technical assistance platforms to support partner countries. Another information of interest to all, is that the newly established International Research Centre on Artificial Intelligence in Ljubljana, which is under the auspices of UNESCO, has set up a global Corona Virus Watch analytics using and analysing in real-time the global media coverage on adopted policy measures in order to detect the most effective measures needed to overcome the pandemic.
– The slowdown of the impact of the coronavirus on people’s health is being followed by political, economic, financial and social implications. In your view, Mr. Ambassador, which might be the most serious challenges in the EU to ‘reconstruct’ and secondly will there be a re-design of the global economic order in a post coronavirus era?
– The first reaction of member states on COVID-19 was the withdrawal behind their national borders. It took some time for the EU to start reacting again as an economic and political union of 27 countries. So the challenge, to my opinion, is to prevent the situation “everyone for themselves” in case of a new crisis. We actually got an opportunity to improve and develop many things, including better implementation of existing legislative. History teaches us that humanity overcame periods of crisis with solidarity and unity.
Concerning the global order I don’t believe the globalisation will stop. Again it is a challenge and an opportunity to shift and improve global solutions with the emphasis on the economic exchange on one side and protection of human health and lives on the other side.
-Although gripped by the coronavirus pandemic Albania’s political life has been ‘vivid’ with one highlight –the demolition of the National Theater which brought about a tense situation. As a country well known for its attention to cultural and historical heritage, how do you assess what happened?
-For me the highlight in this period were the Council conclusions of 25 March 2020, followed by the summit in Zagreb, and its declaration.
The demolition of the National Theatre is an important inner political theme, for sure. My dear colleague, the Croatian Ambassador, Zlatko Kramarić, stated in your newspaper some weeks ago that buildings like theatres are an important part of national memory. I, as an amateur of history, agree with him. I faced the disappearance of many buildings that left marks in my life and I always felt that part of me faded away with them. In Slovenia there are constant discussions and protests on different buildings to be removed. When I started my mandate in Berlin, the Palace of the Republic, the parliament of the German Democratic Republic was demolished. This was preceded by 16 years of discussions and protests. I was lucky to see one of the fantastic shows in these premises and I was sad when the demolition began. These are my personal feelings and my personal experience. The buildings I mentioned were removed, or not, but always as a result of a democratic process, and if needed, with a judicial decision at the end.
And now I come back to the beginning of the answer. An uninterrupted EU path of Albania is a vital issue and the demolition of the National Theatre should not affect it in any way. One of the main conditions to start the negotiations is judicial reform and an efficient judicial system is an answer to dilemmas like the one on the National Theatre. Therefore, I say as a friend of Albania and as someone who entered the diplomatic service in the year when Slovenia submitted its application for membership of the EU, the considerations on the demolition, and similar issues, should be dealt with through national and civic cooperation with a view to start and successfully end the accession negotiation.
– Mr. Ambassador border change or land swap ideas circulate regarding the dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia. What can you say on this issue as the promoters of such ideas are faced with opposition by some interested countries having as a leitmotif: No touching of the borders between Serbia and Kosovo?
– I think we all agree that the current situation remains a destabilizing factor for the region, and for the EU. The position of Slovenia is that the common goal should be to reach a sustainable, comprehensive, legally binding agreement between Belgrade and Prishtina that will solve open issues and contribute to regional stability. And the latter – the regional stability, could be affected by changing borders. As a young man I followed with great sadness and concern the irrationality that exploded in the region in the 90’s. Therefore I think the dialogue has to continue and we should strive for a solution that can be fully implemented, excluding further disputes and potential instability.
– Slovenia has been an unwavering supporter of Albania in its drive towards EU accession, and the country is now in a new stage in the process. Given the expertise of Slovenia what should Albanian politicians do at a time when there are reforms to be carried out in the frame of the EU integration process in such a delicate situation when there is an ongoing combat against the pandemic coupled with its social and economic repercussions?
– Slovenia is a dedicated friend of Albania and active supporter of its EU integration. My opinion of how to proceed is indicated in my previous answer. The focus has to be on EU integration with no distractions. Sincere cooperation for the fulfilment of the conditions set is of paramount importance. I heard commitments to the EU path from all sides, and now is the time to prove that in practice. I have big expectations of the All-inclusive Plan for European Integration Measures which will be presented soon and discussed by all important stakeholders. In the second half of the next year, during the Slovenian EU Presidency, I believe we can have constructive discussions with Albanian partners on concrete negotiating chapters.
– Mr. Ambassador the Zagreb Summit included in its Joint Declaration a clause on new methodology of the Union on enlargement, which has been seen by some politicians of the WB aspirant countries with suspicion. According to you, how will it affect the accession process, concretely of Serbia and Montenegro, which are already negotiating, and also Albania and North Macedonia which expect to enter that stage?
– I hope the new methodology will accelerate the process and make it more dynamic. I hope it will strengthen the ownership of the process by the negotiating countries and endorse a constructive dialogue. I hope it will bring to the people, who wish the membership in the EU, the same trust, certainty and optimism concerning the future, which I felt during the Slovenian accession negotiations.
