“You need unity” — SHISH scandal is worrying, Polish deputy minister says, but Albania is on the right EU path

The case of SHISH director Vlora Hyseni, under investigation on suspicion of leaking classified information, also came up in Polish Deputy Foreign Minister Marcin Bosacki’s interview for the “Rretheqark” program on A2 CNN.

According to Deputy Minister Bosacki, although this is a worrying case, Albania is on the right path toward EU integration.

“When the head of an intelligence service is caught up in a scandal in a country, that is worrying. And it is rare. But I would like to see the glass half full rather than half empty. Yes, Albania, like many other countries, has problems with corruption or with unclear links between politics, special services and business. But Albania is on a good path toward the European Union,” he told A2 CNN.

On Albania’s challenges, the Polish official underlined the need for political unity, harmonization of legislation, sound electoral processes and democratic standards.

“What Albania needs most is unity. But membership in Western structures, and especially in the European Union, requires determination and unity from all forces and political parties in the country. What worries me here is that perhaps you need a clear vision for uniting the country around this goal. Along with that comes good connection with the population, harmonization of laws, good electoral processes, democratic standards. Albania is on the right path. But yes, there are some things that need changing, to make them even better. We are keeping our fingers crossed that Albania and its people soon become members of the European Union. I truly believe this is possible within a few years. And unity of the government and of the country’s other political forces can help in this ambitious task,” he stressed on A2 CNN.

The Polish deputy foreign minister also praised Albania-Poland cooperation in security and European integration, saying Warsaw stands ready to help Albania with its expertise and experience in the EU accession process.

“We closed just a few months ago three chapters ourselves. We are helping. I have held talks with your foreign minister, Mr. Hoxha, with your chief negotiator, Ms. Duka. And we agreed that Polish experts, but also Polish negotiators from 22, 23, 24 years ago, when Poland joined the European Union, will help you. But I must also tell you that I have held extensive talks with the deputy head of your anti-corruption institution, SPAK. So yes, we want to help the government better prepare the country, the administration and the legislation for EU membership. But we also see the potential, the obstacles and the problems facing this great country. And we want to help in that direction too.”

During the interview he also spoke about the threats Russia poses to European security — hybrid warfare, cyberattacks, sabotage and the use of drones — and about the importance of supporting Ukraine.

“Europe and Europe’s security are in a very difficult situation because of one person and one country. The person is called Vladimir Putin and the country is called Russia. Of course, there are other destabilizing factors in the world, such as the ongoing war in the Middle East. But for Poland and for NATO as such, and for the European Union, the main threat is what Vladimir Putin and Russia are doing in Ukraine, but increasingly also the so-called hybrid activities in Europe. We have Russian missiles and drones, missiles and drones. In Poland and in the Baltic states, we have Russian special services activity against airports in Germany and Denmark. We have assassinations across Europe, from Great Britain to Poland. This is dangerous. Putin is playing with fire.”

He suggested Europe stay united and toughen sanctions on Russia.

“What we must do as the European Union, as Europe as a whole and as NATO, is to stand together, help Ukraine and show Putin that he cannot divide us. And Albania and Poland are truly the best examples of this. We coordinate our policies. We are tough on sanctions against Russia. And if Putin sees that the North Atlantic Alliance and Europe as a whole are united, he will think twice or three times before attacking any other country in Europe besides Ukraine.”