Berisha: Albania does not meet the political criteria to be part of NATO

2024-03-28 13:47:00, Politikë CNA

Berisha: Albania does not meet the political criteria to be part of NATO

Sali Berisha

Former Prime Minister Sali Berisha, during a video message at the activity organized by the Democratic Party at the Blue Headquarters for the 15th anniversary of NATO membership, stated that Albania no longer meets the political criteria to be a NATO member.

"It reduced the defense budget to ridiculous figures. Army bases became prey to Europe's most dangerous mafia. For your information, those who started the preparation for the Kuçova base were arrested without any motive by the revivalists as soon as they came to power. And in another shameful act, Edi Rama ordered the disappearance of the NATO flag from all institutions, only because this was an achievement of his predecessors", said Berisha.

Full statement:

I must say two words again.
During these 10 years, there is certainly a clear cooperation between Albania and NATO.
And Albania must fulfill every obligation, as it left the obligations it had for the 2 percent budget.

It reduced the defense budget to ridiculous figures. Army bases fell prey to Europe's most dangerous mafia. For your information, those who started the preparation for the Kuçova base were arrested without any motive by the revivalists as soon as they came to power. And in another shameful act, Edi Rama ordered the disappearance from all institutions of the NATO flag, only that this was an achievement of his predecessors.

Today, I think that on the political level, Albania no longer meets the political criteria to be a member of this alliance.
As in no other country of the alliance and in flagrant opposition to the most basic principles of a free society, today all powers are concentrated in the hands of one man.

Today, 93 percent, 95 percent of all appointed and elected senior officials belong to the state party, and this model has nothing in common with the political model of the members of the North Atlantic Alliance.

Today, the man who has concentrated all the powers, uses the judicial system for a coup against the parliament, to take the powers of the parliament.

Today, the universal principles of the presumption of innocence, of guaranteeing the separation of powers are violated, so this political force that achieved Albania's membership in NATO, has a crucial vital task, in a new historical turn, to restore democratic pluralism in Albania, separation and balance of powers in accordance with the Constitution.

Establish constitutionality as the central pillar of a democratic order. And I have the conviction that this anniversary will be for us, an inspiring anniversary for the fulfillment of our new objectives. Once again, thank you very much and I wish you this day. /CNA