Albanian publicist Anisa Bahiti stressed that a sincere new beginning is needed between Albania and Turkey. 

Evaluating the relations between Albania and Turkey for Anadolu Agency (AA), Bahiti pointed out that the economic ties between the two countries are multiple and that the Greek and Albanian media emphasize that Turkey decides untruths on the Albanian-Greek issue for the sea and other issues.

She stressed that in the daily political debates in Albania, it is said that "Albania is very close politically with Turkey and the Turkish President, ErdoÄŸan", while it is said that President ErdoÄŸan is significantly reflected in the Albanian media, having great influence in Albania and Kosovo, which is often seen as an obstacle to Albania's integration into the European Union (EU) family. 

"Albania and Turkey have strong historical relations," she said, noting that despite the Turkish government is one of the main contributors to reconstruction after last year's earthquake, the Albanian media and government rarely advertise this fact. 

Bahiti also pointed out that the privatization of Telecom 15 years ago, when Prime Minister Fatos Nano ruled, is Turkey's latest strategic investment in Albania. She also claimed that the fight against Turkish investments and the dizzying fines against them is proof of why no strategic investments take place.

Activities of the terrorist organization FETO in Albania 

According to her, in the political plan, the relations are the opposite of what is said, drawing attention to the fact that Albania, despite being a member of NATO, like Turkey, and in a political-strategic security alliance, is in fact one of the main bases outside Turkey of the FETO organization, involved in the coup attempt. 

Bahiti noted that very important members of this organization operate easily in Albania, with a lot of financial funding. "They operate in the healthcare, financial, education, energy and most recently media markets. Even in the Albanian-Turkish 'success' of Air Albania, the CEO of AlbKontroll's main shareholder is a member and former -student of this organization ", said Bahiti. 

Stressing further that in terms of religion the largest community in the country (KMSH) is controlled by the terrorist organization FETO, Bahiti said that "In the military plan, despite the strong historical cooperation between the two armies, the ambassador of Albania to NATO sided with the two Kurdish organizations YPG and SDF, which are at war with Turkey. Only tourism remains, but it is only the merit of two or three important tour operators." 

Bahiti stressed that the new coronavirus crisis (COVID-19) is verifying another issue when Albanians need to turn to Turkey, where there is no "albanophobia" to cure and save their lives.

A new beginning is needed in Turkey-Albania relations 

The Albanian publicist stressed that the urban legend that it is the "strong" Turkey-Albania relations that hinder Albania's European integration is not true. 

"It was created by official Tirana, which is clear that it does not meet and does not want to meet any of the 15 EU conditions, starting from the Constitutional Court, the High Court to the fight against corruption or the functioning of democracy. The real reason for hindering Albania's advancement in the EU", stressed Bahiti. 

According to Bahiti, what is needed between Albania and Turkey is a new, honest, strategic start in the medium term to strengthen relations between the two countries. "But to have a new beginning between Albania and Turkey, new minds and new people are needed," she said.

(Source: Anadolu Agency)