“My vision is for Croatia and Albania to become real strategic partners in the area of Southeastern Europe. It is interesting that something like that was suggested to me in 2009, when I held the position of ambassador of Croatia in Kosovo, by a British general. It is obvious that he thought that the creation of such a strategic partnership was the best possible way to overcome political and other problems in these areas. I think the same!”

This was unveiled by the Croatian Ambassador to Albania, Zlatko Kramaric in an exclusive interview with Albanian Daily News while discussing the State visit of Albanian President Bajram Begaj to Zagreb in April this year during which President of Croatia Zoran Milanovic stated Albania should have long ago been in a much higher stage for integration into the European Union, and according to him, there was not one actual political, security or economic reason for Albania not being closer to concluding negotiations. “I am very satisfied with that visit, as well as with the messages that the president, as well as the Croatian president, the prime minister, and the president of the parliament communicated publicly on that occasion,” said the Ambassador.

Speaking of the achievements of Croatia after joining the EU in 2013, Ambassador Kramaric said it was a historical moment for the country to join the Eurozone and Schengen area of the EU on January 1st 2023, becoming the first EU member to join both clubs simultaneously and completing the process of European integration.

In a comment on the latest developments in the relations between Kosovo and Serbia, Zagreb’s top diplomat in Tirana said he was more than convinced that only the international community could resolve that artificially created crisis. “It is high time for Serbia to recognize the reality: Kosovo is a new political fact, and that must be respected!”   

Speaking of the US stance towards Serbia and its President Vucic, Mr. Kramaric was of the opinion that there are very clear signs that there is a critical consciousness in America that is not satisfied with the behavior of Vucic. “These are more than clear messages that American politics no longer wants to tolerate his game of sitting on multiple chairs at the same time. It is not possible to be both for Russia and the EU at the same time. It is obvious that the countries of the European Union must act in a similar way,” he said.

Asked about the political situation in Montenegro after the presidential and before the parliamentary elections the Ambassador said that the first statements of the new president of Montenegro, Jakov Milatovic, especially his speech at the inauguration, were sincere optimism when it comes to the Euro-Atlantic future of Montenegro, the relationship towards neighbors, national minorities in Montenegrin society. “Therefore, we can rightly hope that this orientation will be maintained even after the parliamentary elections,” said the Croatian Ambassador Zlatko Kramaric in the following interview:

Albanian Daily News: Mr. Ambassador Croatia has become the first country to simultaneously join the eurozone currency union and visa-free Schengen area, and it’s now one of only fifteen members of those two groupings plus NATO. How could Croatia manage to enter this core group from a country which was not even recognized in the span of three decades?   

Croatian Ambassador Zlatko Kramaric: Indeed, it was a historical moment for Croatia! On January 1st 2023, Croatia joined the Eurozone and Schengen area of the European Union, becoming the first EU country to join both clubs simultaneously and completing our process of European integration. This marks a significant moment in Croatia’s history of independence, as we were the last country to join the EU in 2013.

In general, it could be said that since our independence in 1991, we finally had our destiny in our hands and it was no doubt to us to where we culturally, politically belong. We had to make up the time lost in communist regime of Yugoslavia and to recover from the consequences of the aggression of Milosevic regime…. Therefore, from 1991, onwards the political aim of all Croatia`s governments and its people were to accelerate our path towards Western alliances. NATO, EU, Eurozone, Schengen are results of that wish and right now our next foreign policy goal is membership of OECD.

- As a follow up, how could Croatia’s speedy integration serve as a model for the countries of the Western Balkans that want to join the club, as Zagreb is a staunch unwavering supporter of expediting the accession process of the region?

- Our experience is indeed unique, especially if you look time frame in which our EU aspirations were achieved (even though, during the EU accession period it seemed to us that we are not advancing at the speed we would like to). In my talks with the people and politicians in the Western Balkans I encounter quite often with the notion that Croatia had somewhat easier path because of its geopolitical position and importance. That is quite untrue, especially when it comes for EU integration. Croatia, as it was not only the country that had to go through democratic transition, but also post-war transition, had very challenging and thorny EU integration path. We had to work hard towards fulfilling all the necessary criteria and that path was sometimes frustrating, disappointing and from our point of view sometimes unjust and unfair. But at the end it paid off! We are there where we wanted to be and our NATO and EU membership is crucial both for our security and economy.   

We are willing to share our experience and knowledge with Albania and other countries of the Western Balkans that wish to advance on its EU journey. Recently we are also active in assisting Ukraine on EU integration matters.

And it is good that you remind us of all our political and other achievements.

It would be great if we were also aware that we managed to achieve all this in a relatively short period of time in very unfavorable circumstances. Of course, this is not a reason to give up further reform of Croatian society, where reforms of the judiciary and education are fundamental priorities, strengthening the independence of all institutions of further processes of modernization of society, as well as participation in all progressive European activities, promoting universal values, protection of weak subjects (children, elderly, women, all kinds of minorities)!

-President of Croatia Zoran Milanovic stated after his meeting with Albanian President Bajram Begaj, who paid a two-day State visit to Croatia in April this year, that Albania should have long ago been in a much higher stage for integration into the European Union, and according to him, there was not one actual political, security or economic reason for Albania not being closer to concluding negotiations. According to your opinion, which are the roadblocks to the progress of Albania’s negotiations with the EU?

- I have the impression that there are also some irrational reasons that slow Albania down in the EU-integrative processes. This assessment cannot be applied to all countries of the Western Balkans. Of course, one should have understanding for certain European fears. We live in times that are full of challenges and uncertainties. And if we want to be honest, it is difficult to be a visionary, it is not easy to predict the future. And I think that our president thought that precisely in this uncertainty we should look for the reasons why Albania is still in the European waiting room. Of course, this does not mean that there are no weaknesses (corruption, nepotism, organized crime, institutional deficit...) in Albanian society, which should be eliminated as soon as possible. This is, above all, in the interest of all citizens of Albania! We must always keep in mind that over 95% of Albanian citizens experience their country as a par excellence European country. And this fact should bind all Albanian politicians, all political parties, but equally it is a more than clear signal to European politicians that the process of EU enlargement must accelerate. 

- Your Excellency, does the political friendly relationship between Albania and Croatia match the economic ties and which is the eventual perspective for the future of the overall economic cooperation given that the two countries are strategic allies?

- My vision is for Croatia and Albania to become real strategic partners in the area of Southeastern Europe. It is interesting that something like that was suggested to me in 2009 (that was the time when I held the position of ambassador of Croatia in Kosovo) by a British general. It is obvious that he thought that the creation of such a strategic partnership was the best possible way to overcome political and other problems in these areas. I think the same! Finally, the fact that both Croatia and Albania are members of NATO should be used in the right way. Sometimes I have the impression that we do not exploit this extremely important fact enough. This fact does not only include the security component, it is much more than that.

The visit of your president to Croatia should be viewed in that context as well. I am very satisfied with that visit, as well as with the messages that the president, as well as the Croatian president, the prime minister, and the president of the parliament communicated publicly on that occasion. 

- Let me turn, please, to the EU mediated dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia as there are clear signals of an aggravation of the situation in northern Kosovo where Serb community has warned Kosovo PM Albin Kurti that if until 1 June ‘it is not stopped the repression on Serbs, the population will protect itself by all means’ without explaining what such means would be. Given the hysteric anti-Kosovo rhetoric in Serbia at the same time, are there real threats for an escalation of the tension between Kosovo and Serbia and is the stability of the Western Balkans threatened?

- When it comes to Kosovo, I am more than convinced that only the international community can resolve this artificially created crisis. It is high time for Serbia to recognize the reality: Kosovo is a new political fact, and that must be respected! Of course, this fact really obliges Kosovo's politics. First of all, in relation to the Serbian community, the protection of its collective and individual rights - in accordance with all international standards that are an integral part of Kosovo's laws, the Constitution... And there is no discussion about that! Likewise, the Kosovo authorities are expected to protect the cultural and religious monuments that belong to Serbian tradition and heritage. But equally, these religious buildings, churches, monasteries represent a part of Kosovo's rich history. 

- How do you comment on the political situation in Montenegro after the presidential and before the parliamentary elections?

- The first statements of the new president of Montenegro, Jakov Milatovic, especially his speech at the inauguration, were sincere optimism when it comes to the Euro-Atlantic future of Montenegro, the relationship towards neighbors, national minorities in Montenegrin society…

Therefore, we can rightly hope that this orientation will be maintained even after the parliamentary elections. Although he is a relatively young politician, we must say that we are impressed by his political wisdom. Namely, he realized that it is not possible to turn the wheel of history back to the time before 2006, when the citizens of Montenegro decided in a referendum that Montenegro would become an independent state. This is a clear and binding framework for all future Montenegrin political elites, on whom it depends on the contents of which this framework will be filled.

- In the meantime Mr. Ambassador the main topics of the talks at the latest meeting of the EU Council of Foreign Affairs in Brussels joined by the ministers of foreign affairs from the six WB countries were the process of normalization of relations between Kosovo and Serbia, the situation in BiH, regional cooperation and the influence of Russia in the Western Balkan region. It seems to be the same routine discourse within the Union. Having more information as a seasoned diplomat representing an EU member country close to the region, what do you think about such a situation when as a matter of fact there is a deadlock on all concerns mentioned above for a long time?

- I completely agree with your statement that in the area of the Western Balkans, when it comes to political relations between the Balkan countries, nothing changes dramatically, more precisely, that the image from Carroll's book 'Alice in Wonderland' is repeated: there is a general impression that everyone is running very fast but they are,   in fact, standing still. However, this does not mean that there is no solution - the international community is on the move, which has mechanisms to solve this truly frustrating situation. In this context, an article in New York Times about the strong connections between Vucic and the Serbian mafia and a hearing session in Congress are very indicative.      

These are very clear signs that there is a critical consciousness in America that is not satisfied with the behavior of Vucic. These are more than clear messages that American politics no longer wants to tolerate his game of sitting on multiple chairs at the same time. It is not possible to be both for Russia and the EU at the same time. It is obvious that the countries of the European Union must act in a similar way. It is a high time to give firm deadlines to all participants. The crises must not be allowed to metastasize! 

It would be desirable if the Serbian opposition, especially the pro-European opposition, understood this very clear message!

- In the meantime the war situation in Ukraine is aggravating while the support of the West to the country continues to rise, especially in the military field. But a few days ago the German government said it is reviewing its potential contribution to the recently created ‘international jet coalition’ launched by the UK and the Netherlands to provide fighter jets and training to Ukraine. In addition Swedish Defence Minister Pal Jonson has reiterated his country’s refusal to send its JAS Gripen fighter jets to Ukraine, despite the EU’s High Representative Josep Borrell hoping for speedy delivery. Without putting in doubt the support to the heroic resistance of Ukraine, has the prolongation of the war created problems among some allied countries?

- We must all be aware that Europe, European/universal values are being defended in Ukraine.

I want to believe that, in the meantime, European politicians have learned the historical lesson that evil must be decisively opposed in time. Therefore, the attitude towards the war in Ukraine is, above all, a great test of ethics. As we know from history, some European politicians failed this test, just before the Second World War. Likewise, we know the tragic results of that inadmissible failure! Sapienti sat! Therefore, it is important to act preventively, because any hesitation is dangerous. Namely, in this way, evil is only encouraged!