“Sweden fully stands behind the recommendation of the Commission made in May, which means that we welcome Albania to start negotiations!’ – that is our Swedish firm position. However, what will happen on October 18 we do not really know because some countries have not yet decided. But I truly hope for a positive decision,” has said Ambassador of Sweden to Tirana Elsa Hastad
By Genc Mlloja
Senior Diplomatic Editor
“I know your country since many years, and I have been reading a lot on it. Incidentally my mother was a journalist as you are, and she was covering Western Balkans. When I was a little girl, I traveled with her across the region but I never came to Albania,” has said Ambassador of Sweden to Tirana Elsa Hastad in the first exclusive interview with Albanian Daily News after handing over the credentials to President Ilir Meta a few weeks ago.
Touching upon the expected decision on Albania’s EU accession talks the Ambassador was straightforward saying that Sweden stands behind the recommendation of the Commission made in May, which means that we welcome Albania to start negotiations. “However, what will happen on October 18 we do not really know because some countries have not yet decided,” Mrs. Hastad confessed. With regard to the talk on eventual separate decision opening first the talks with North Macedonia , she thought that would be unfortunate.”In my opinion, it would be easier to have two countries go together as it would have been easier from Brussels’ perspective and from countries’ perspective.”
In a comment on the bilateral relations between Sweden and Albania the Ambassador noted that she had received one very strong message from local highest state and government officials which means that Albania believes strongly in Sweden as a partner. “I have sensed a feeling of trust that Sweden is a credible and reliable country which stands firm in values and principles,” said Swedish Ambassador in the interview with follows:
Albanian Daily News: At the outset allow me to wish you welcome to Albania as Ambassador of Sweden, and the first question is what do you know about this country and which are the main goals of your agenda during the ambassadorial mandate in Tirana?
Swedish Ambassador Elsa Hastad: One of the most important targets of my mission is to support the EU accession of Albania and everything linked with that. We have a quite substantial cooperation in areas of economic development, institution building, human rights and environment, and everything has to do with the quite difficult process of EU accession. It’s a long process and my mission will be that this cooperation, be it institution- to- institution or expert- to- expert, is used in the very best way so that we can support Albania in that direction. That’s number one.
And number two, as with all diplomatic work, is about countries to meet, people to meet and my dream is that we could have more cultural exchanges. You have rich literature, poetry, music, artists and I so much wish that we could meet more than we have so far. My wish is for the musicians to meet, artists to meet, dancers to meet and talk about life.
Of course, Albania is a very well-known country for Sweden and me; it is a part of our neighborhood, of the Western Balkans, and a part of Europe. I know your country since many years, and I have been reading a lot on it. Incidentally my mother was a journalist as you are, and she was covering Western Balkans. When I was a little girl, I travelled with her across the region but I never came to Albania.
Anyway, here I am. I know the history of the country, its background and where it comes from. Quite challenging times and a period of communism and isolation, which is difficult for every country. Albania has opened up and has gone through major transition in a short time, which is an enormous amount of work.
– As you mentioned the issue of Albania’s EU accession let me ask you, Your Excellency, what will likely happen in October 18 this year when a decision will be made on Albania and North Macedonia by Brussels? Which are your expectations about that?
– Sweden fully stands behind the recommendation of the Commission made in May , which means that we welcome Albania to start negotiations!’ – that is our Swedish firm position. However, what will happen on October 18 we do not really know because some countries have not yet decided. But I truly hope for a positive decision. We will stand behind the decision that will be made and we think that it is extremely important with European unity. We hope that all the EU member states are united with regard to that decision. We look forward to welcome Albania as an EU country one day.
– Do you think that some of the skeptic countries will change their negative position in this respect?
– I do not know and I cannot say for sure. But what I might say is that I can sense a positive tone when I talk with my colleagues. Anyway, we have to wait and see. I can add that steps have been made, the justice reform is moving, and that is highly important. All the member states are monitoring and watching every step of progress that Albania has been making. Sweden sees all these steps of progress since we work very closely with so many line ministries and institutions. In this regard we see all the work that has been done.
– Madame Ambassador, there is talk going around on a separate decision about Albania and North Macedonia. Do you think that such a stance would be wise?
-I think that would be unfortunate because, in my opinion, it would be easier to have two countries go together as it would have been easier from Brussels’ perspective and from countries’ perspective. It is important for the countries to get encouragement for the work that they have done, and I hope for a process that would help the two countries to move forward. What I know is that there has been discussion in the capitals, but we will see. Anyway, I hope that Brussels would favor a process for the two countries because it is more practical, and on the other hand it is a process that we should not underestimate the difficulties.
Sweden has been a strong supporter for the Baltic countries which joined the EU together, and I can mention that Sweden supported them during the whole process in many respects. It should be noted that it took a long time- around 10 to 15 years, which means that hard work was needed.
-Sweden is very keen on what happens in WB. As such, Madame Ambassador, which is your assessment of the current situation in the region in view of EU integration?
-Sweden is a supporter of the candidate countries of WB to become members, and we have been that for many years, ever since the Dayton Agreement. In addition, it should be said the EU has pledged its support to the WB countries in their drive to join the Union, if you take all the necessary steps. Sweden has been one of the countries that has honored this promise. We have honored this for many years since the Dayton Agreement.
But it’s not only words for us. Rather it’s also real cooperation, real money, real support. We have had cooperation during all these years with Serbia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Kosovo, Albania. My country would want that the WB countries become members of the Union one day, and that is our ambition.
On the other hand, EU membership of this region would be good strategically for the stability of Europe, for free trade and movement, for all the values we strongly believe in. It is particularly important for small countries. For example, Sweden is a small country, perhaps not geographically but it is a small population, and in this frame, we need to cooperate. We need to trade with each other, travel to each other, young people to study. This is the kind of Europe we want to share.
– Since the handing over of your credentials you have had meetings with the highest state and government officials. Which is the message that you have got from them on Albanian- Swedish relationship?
– I have received one very strong message which means that Albania believes strongly in Sweden as a partner. I have sensed a feeling of trust, that Sweden is a credible and reliable country which stands firm in values and principles. That makes me happy, because I think we are. We are also extremely long-term committed. The truth is so because if we say we are a friend we are so, and we can stay forever. It is very nice that such a thing is acknowledged by Albanian colleagues and counterparts.
Another message that I got was the readiness to do more things together and show Albanian public opinion what a partner Sweden is. In this direction we have some homework to do because we have been a partner for so many years, and we are among the largest donors. Perhaps this part is not well known. Of course, I want that thing to be known because we are part of Europe. This is the message that I received from the authorities. The President said that Sweden should be more visible in Albania. I said ‘yes, but let’s do it together’. We need help in this direction by everyone. ‘Let’s be more visible together’ – this will be one of my important tasks.
When it comes to money and funding Sweden allocates approximately 15 million euro per year for Albania and that makes it together with Germany the second largest donor in the EU family. It is important because it is our taxpayers’ money and we need to tell them the results of such an investment.
In the meantime, corruption is terrible wherever it is, and it exists in too many countries. It is like an illness, cancer, because it attacks all parts of a country. It is quite difficult to get rid of it. I have worked in many countries and the fight against corruption is one of the biggest challenges.
When it comes to our cooperation, I am not so worried in this regard because we rarely give money; we give experts, people, capacities, contact, relation. So, it is not about money, it’s the knowledge we have. And of course, we have a huge control system.
I know that corruption exists in Albania and it is something that a country should be persistent to combat because it hits everyone, and particularly the poor people. It hits the most vulnerable as they have to double-pay.
-Your Excellency, you are aware of the ongoing turbulent political situation in Albania which becomes more worrisome on the eve of EU decision we spoke above. Which is your message to official Tirana?
– My message is from a friend coming from outside. What I see is that you have many good things in place. You have a country where almost everyone unites around the EU accession goal, which is fantastic. It is such strength. You have a country that has hydropower, it is a different topic, but you have such an asset of which you should be proud.
My strong message would really be to unite around the good things, unite around the common ideas that you have and focus on them because it is hard work which means you have to set joint energy in use. Of course, being a democratic country, you also have a debate. That is normal, that is perfect democracy. Otherwise it is not a democracy. When I look at Albania there are so many things that are in place: you have media, you have economic development, you have business, you have a country that wants to join the EU. Some 93 percent of the population wants to join the EU.
So in my opinion Albanians need to stay focused on the important things and unite around them. That would be my strong message.
– Speaking of bilateral relationship does Your Excellency think that the economic exchange matches the excellent political relations?
– No, no! I think economic cooperation is too low and we should cooperate more and have more trade relations. We are trying to work on this aspect. We should search new ways and find things outside the frame of traditional business. We need to have new partnerships and Albania is a country close to Sweden. There are possibilities in design industry; sustainable design could be one entry point as you have fabrics here. New ways of cooperation might be in the fields of environment and innovation, and in general cooperation in the economic aspect is a huge task and my work, as well. I cannot be over optimistic that there will be a great trade increase but at least I can open doors by introducing companies, new people. That would be fantastic. It is also extremely important to improve the investment climate in Albania. That has to do with the rule of law, no corruption, predictability, when you invest your money. These are things that scare the investors.
– Madam Ambassador Albania is being faced with a growing trend of its citizens leaving the country, particularly the youth. What can you say on this phenomenon which is not Albania’s concern alone?
– It is a problem if you have too many young people that want to leave the country. You have a large group of people who do not see the future here. I think we need to address all parts of the society. It is about all parts of a good life; starting with good standards when it comes to education. Then you need jobs, so you can stay and actually work. Albania has the potential of being a tourist country which is good. You have business but the atmosphere should be less bureaucratic. You need to have a good quality of things, to make life better so that people can come back.
I also find that there is low trust among the population when it comes to politicians and public institutions. But I think that one has to acknowledge that every citizen is responsible themselves. It is a question of give and take. I meet with people, not only high-level politicians, but civil servants like us who are so committed to doing a good job. I think that Albania is a country filled with human resources, with good people who really want country’s progress. And I think it is important to unite around that goal. What is clearly obvious is that there is a big change if the country is compared with the situation 30 years ago.
– In conclusion, Mrs. Ambassador, the year 2019 is the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Albania and Sweden. How would you evaluate this experience, and can you share with ADN any ideas on how it could be marked in Tirana?
– I think Swedish-Albanian link is a friendly and curious relation. It’s a friendship built on curiosity and genuine feelings. That is the way how the relations have developed. I represent the first feminist government in the world. Sweden was the first country to actually decide to have a feminist government. We are a feminist government and we follow a feminist foreign policy. And that means a platform focusing on people who are vulnerable, uneven distribution of power and money.
Of course, part of my work is to see after women but also include men in the work for gender equality. This aspect is important in different areas of the bilateral cooperation, and a top priority. With regard to the 50th anniversary of Swedish- Albanian relations we want to do something before the end of year. We hope to organize an event in December this year. /ADN
