FLASH
Shkruar nga Pamfleti
We have an expression: there is no better disinfectant than sunlight. And for that light to come from citizens, from the judiciary, from prosecutors and anti-corruption institutions, to the commitment to create an accountability community...
The assistant administrator of the American Agency for International Development, USAID, Mrs. Erin McKee, has sent a strong message to the Albanians. She visited our country and made it clear that corruption continues to be a problem for Americans.
McKee has asked the media, citizens and the whole society to denounce corruption. She stated that they cannot expect the government to fight corruption, but reject it.
" I'm glad you asked because you mentioned the government and other institutions, which is a part of the fight against corruption, but citizens also need to repel corruption, to be able to shed light on corrupt practices. It takes independent journalism to make sure stories of corruption are told and heard. We have an expression: there is no better disinfectant than sunlight. And for that light to come from citizens, from the judiciary, from prosecutors and anti-corruption institutions, to the commitment to create an accountability community - this leads to strong democracy. Our work is developed in this space, to help people find their voice and root out corruption. It cannot be the government alone that eradicates corruption. Citizens must continue to demand an end to corrupt practices ," she told VOA.
interview
-Ms McKee, thank you very much for the opportunity to do this interview. First, I would like to know, what is the purpose of your visit to Albania?
First, thank you for the invitation today. I am here to reaffirm and celebrate the enduring partnership between the United States and Albania, my agency, USAID, in particular, and the people and government of Albania. We celebrated just last year, 30 years of cooperation and I am noticing the progress and the product of this cooperation during my journey here.
-What other projects is USAID supporting in Albania?
I am very glad for this question. We are working alongside the Albanian people, our partners in the Albanian government and all sectors of society to strengthen Albania's democratic future. We know that a future in the EU is vital for Albania, to unlock its full potential to realize the democratic goals it has set for itself, to see opportunities and market diversification.
Thus, our programs and projects over the past 30 years have supported that effort. I will give you an example. This morning I had the privilege to open together with the Minister of Health, civil society, our partner UNDP, as well as many civil society organizations, a community center. This means providing integrated services to the most vulnerable members of Albania, the population that needs special attention, so that they can be part of Albania's future in the EU, that their voice is heard and to be full participants in democracy and economy, so that Albania can offer not only to its citizens, but also to the rest of Europe.
- The United States is a strong supporter of Albania's European integration process. Specifically, how is USAID supporting this process?
Ms. McKee: In addition to the community center that I mentioned, it is to make sure that no Albanian is left behind. We have been working with competitiveness to ensure that Albania's economy, as it enters the EU and competes in the EU market, is strong and diverse. And from what I've seen, it has a lot to offer. We have also worked, of course, for the rule of law and to make it possible to break the cycle of corruption that damages democracies across Europe, frankly, every country, because nothing erodes a democratic future more than the erosion of the trust people have in their governments and in their society. Therefore, focusing on the rule of law, democracy, economic competitiveness, energy and security of critical infrastructure are all requirements for both EU membership and a strong, stable and democratic future. Therefore, our programs and projects are focused on those efforts.
-You mentioned the issue of corruption a little while ago. What are the projects or plans of your Agency to support Albania in addressing this phenomenon, to promote transparency in the government and other institutions?
I'm glad you asked because you mentioned the government and other institutions, which is a part of the fight against corruption, but citizens also need to repel corruption, to be able to shed light on corrupt practices. It takes independent journalism to make sure stories of corruption are told and heard. We have an expression: there is no better disinfectant than sunlight. And for that light to come from citizens, from the judiciary, from prosecutors and anti-corruption institutions, to the commitment to create an accountability community - this leads to strong democracy. Our work is developed in this space, to help people find their voice and root out corruption. It cannot be the government alone that eradicates corruption. Citizens must continue to demand an end to corrupt practices.
-As we take a look at developments in the region but also globally, including Russia's war against Ukraine and now Israel-Gaza, how do you see the role of USAID in the Western Balkans?
In the Western Balkans and in general, I would actually ask Albania to help us. You are very focused and I hope you are speeding up your journey towards EU membership. I would like to look back on our partnership in the near future as a model that other Balkan countries can follow. As I said, we have worked for economic competitiveness, the rule of law, to make sure that the peoples of the Western Balkans, and in this case the Albanian people, have an interest in that future. And with your success, you can demonstrate to your neighbors, the other peoples of the Western Balkans, where we also have programs, that it is not only possible but also the path to follow; here's what we learned and here's what we can do together to achieve that future.
Lini një Përgjigje