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Shkruar nga Pamfleti
The request for the sequestration of the Albanian TV channel 'Agon Channel' by the former owner may disrupt the establishment of the center for asylum seekers requested by Meloni and Rama. And there is a precedent.
That migrant center looks like it has no prospects. The story of the Italy-Albania agreement to build a migrant center on the shores of the 'Land of Eagles' is very reminiscent of 'I promessi sposi' ('The Betrothed', the novel by the Italian writer, Alessandro Manzoni). A pact that was presented on November 6 by the two prime ministers, Meloni and Rama, as one of the most significant innovations in the management of the reception of immigrants in Europe. Since that date, the project has had an impact, sparked discussions, angered the Italian opposition, but also attracted the interest of Germany and the European Commission.
The agreement is in the process of being approved by both parliaments. But among various vicissitudes, businessman Francesco Becchetti, the former owner of the Italian-Albanian television 'Agon Channel', seems to have intervened as Don Rodrigo 'in the Rome-Tirana wedding'. The television channel, opened in Tirana at the end of 2014, had lasted a little over a year at that time. In the months of activity, this television had gathered the most important names of Albanian journalism and local entertainment stars, with the promise of a large capital: from Simona Ventura to Nicole Kidman (for the launch), from Antonio Caprarica (who resigned two weeks after the beginning) until Veronica Maya and did not spare harsh criticism towards the government of Edi Rama.
Today, eight years later, its closure risks driving a wedge between the two countries. After learning about the migrant deal, in fact, Becchetti reappeared almost like a Swiss watch. He announced through his lawyers a seizure of money 'on behalf of third parties' against the Italian Council of Ministers and all ministries, for an amount of 135 million euros. According to the decision ARB 15/28 dated April 24, 2019 of the Icsid Court (International Center for the Settlement of Investment Disputes-Arbitration Court) of the World Bank, judged in Washington, where the entrepreneur is owed this amount by the Albanian state as a fine for closing the television his.
Last April 8, Tirana's requests for a review of the arbitration award that determined compensation for him and other persons were rejected. Now, the former owner who lives in London, sentenced to 17 years in Tirana for money laundering, demands the money and breaks the Rome-Tirana contract from the root. He basically demands through legal channels that before Italy pays the money into the Albanian account, as written in the Rama-Meloni agreement (16.5 million in the first year, to cover the costs of the services provided by Albania and then gradually for the five years of future), those funds end up in his pockets, as determined by the Icsid decision. He requests payment directly, without being credited to the Albanian account.
Why are both Rome and Tirana at risk?
The 135 million owed to Becchetti corresponds to 0.75% of Albania's GDP. A very important one, for a country that is taking steps to join Europe and that still struggles with pockets of poverty, the informal economy and backwardness.
Becchetti's announcement to the Italian government risks causing an earthquake on both sides of the Adriatic. Tirana does not feel involved and says that these are Italy's problems. Because the money of the immigrant center is Italian money, Albania will not suffer any damage even if a judge (we must understand Italian or Albanian) says that the first 16.5 million and those that follow will be seized.
Actually, it's not exactly like that, let's see why. According to the Rama-Meloni contract - we quote the agreement -, 'within 90 days from the entry into force of the Agreement, the Italian side must credit the special treasury account with the amount of 16.5 million euros, in the title of advances or refunds, in accordance with the article 10 for the first year'. It can be made 'payment in euro and returned to lek' with the currency exchange rate on the day of payment, the document says. Again within 90 days, Italy must open a bank account dedicated to the 'deposit of resources related to the guarantee fund', corresponding to 100 million ALL.
From the Italian side
Before paying, the Italian state should think twice. If it had paid the contractual sum and a judge had not ruled on Becchetti's right to receive it, Italy could be in danger of breaching entrepreneur protection rules. Thus, Italy will find themselves paying twice: first Albania for the service, then Becchetti. However, if Italy does not pay, it does not respect the contract with Albania.
From the Albanian side
Even seen from Tirana, it is always a potential problem. Because it is true that, if the Italian euros do not arrive, the reception and identification service for asylum seekers in Shengjin and Gjadër will not start. But if the judge were to order the seizure, Albania would in the future have to provide a service without compensation from Rome, since the agreement - we quote again - works that 'between March 15 and September 15 for each year valid in the agreement, the Albanian side communicates to the Italian side through diplomatic channels the amount of expenses incurred in the previous six months'.
Becchetti's move will certainly give state attorneys in both countries jobs. There is a precedent that adds weight to the delicacy of the matter. Francesco Becchetti, in order to receive the amount owed to the Albanian State, also took measures against the Albanian airline company 'Albcontrol', owned by the state, which manages and controls the airspace according to international air navigation standards and is a member of Eurocontrol since 2003. The company is headed for financial collapse, after the Brussels Court of Appeal decided to freeze the accounts in favor of the former owner of Star Television. To hide the failure, Tirana helped Albcontrol with 32 million euros, reports the site 'Ina-Media' - Investigative Network Albania. In short, 'Agon Channel' has been missing for eight years, but somehow the 'show' continues./ LaStampa
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