Former Prime Minister Sali Berisha has stated on Friday that Albania must be separated from North Macedonia for the opening of negotiations for membership in the European Union. 

During the press conference, Berisha said that Prime Minister Edi Rama is hiding behind the pretext that he is hindered by North Macedonia to achieve the opening of negotiations. 

Moreover, the former Prime Minister warned that if Rama tries to change the direction of Albania, the DP will organize strong protests. 

"Today in Albania is the president of the EC. But what I need to add is that I also thank that a visit is support. Rama's attempts to present Bulgaria as an obstacle to the opening of negotiations are fabrications. It is not the Bulgarian wall but the wall of drugs and theft that really stand as factors and close the doors to Albania for the opening of negotiations. I call on the European Union to open negotiations with Albania. 

As the EP resolution showed, Albania has not met the conditions but I think that opening negotiations and standing on the conditions is the right way. Failure to open negotiations is an act with serious consequences for both the country and the region. That on the one hand we say that the perspective is and on the other hand the negotiations do not open. Every year more and more space and support for the other concept of partnership expands. 

This is not a concept of interest to Albania or Europe. Secondly, I stressed that the reason for not opening the negotiations is not the Bulgarian wall. But there are walls of crime, theft and drugs. With all this I say that pairing places is wrong. The integration process is individual. I feel sorry that three years ago Macedonia was penalized by us. Even Macedonia has much better indicators than Albania. The EU has a principle. According to which quarrels with neighbors should be resolved. That we do not import hassles. Albania does not have any hassle to export to the EU. There is no mating interest. 

If Rama thinks that the non-opening of negotiations is an authorization for him to change the direction of the country, he will face the strongest resistance led by the DP. Such an attempt will not recognize borders", said Berisha.