Berisha at the Council of Europe: mass emigration demands an international reaction

During his address at the Council of Europe’s session in Strasbourg, Democratic Party leader Sali Berisha focused on the role of the Albanian diaspora, emigration, and the consequences that the mass departure of citizens is bringing to Albania.

Berisha praised the diaspora’s historic contribution, stressing that it has played a major role in the country’s survival, its freedoms and its cultural development. At the same time, he underlined that the current emigration carries negative consequences for Albania.

Citing Eurostat data, Berisha said that “out of every 1,000 Albanians, 466 live in European Union countries.”

He linked the phenomenon to the political situation and criminality in the country, describing Albania as a “narco-state” and accusing Albanian criminal groups of activity in Europe’s drug trafficking.

“No nation can and should be prouder of its diaspora than the Albanian nation. We owe the diaspora almost our survival, our freedoms, as well as an extraordinary contribution to our culture,” he said.

“But today, unfortunately, I must present to you a terrible picture, a devastating effect of emigration on my country. Justin Gest, in a study conducted in 149 countries, has concluded that emigration can cause a ‘democratic emptying’ and have very serious consequences.

“In Albania, this has placed the nation before a real existential threat. At present, in the European Union area, according to Eurostat, out of every 1,000 Albanians, 466 live in EU countries. Imagine what state we are in,” he said.

According to him, the situation requires an international reaction. “An international stance toward this narco-state is vital, to save the nation,” Berisha said at the end of his speech.

“This is entirely a consequence of the Albanian narco-state, which is the only narco-state in the world, but unfortunately still unrecognized and unassessed as such by Europe. Albania is the leading exporter of cannabis, while Albanian drug cartels are the biggest transporters of cocaine in Europe. In closing, an international stance toward this narco-state is vital, to save the nation,” Berisha stressed.

Berisha delivered his speech within the discussions on the role of diasporas and migrants in developing social cohesion and democratic engagement.