Krichbaum: We will not cooperate with the DP if it returns to yesterday

Deutsche Welle: Today in the Bundestag you threw the idea of ​​a new model for countries that are closer to the EU, but can not or do not want to be members of the EU. Is this your response to French President Macron’s latest proposal to create a new political formation beyond the EU?

Gunther Krichbaum: Of course it also has to do with Mr Macron’s suggestions and I think it would be positive for Germany and France to work together in that direction. The background is that the countries that have to be accepted today are a little further from the standards of the European Union than were once the candidate countries like Finland, the Czech Republic or Slovakia. So let’s not lie to ourselves: as far as Ukraine is concerned – and I would like Ukraine to be granted candidate status – the membership process will take decades. That is why it is important for us to offer a credible European perspective, a model for countries that do not want or can not become members of the European Union.

Which countries do you have in mind specifically?

For example, European Economic Area (EEA) countries such as Liechtenstein, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland and the United Kingdom. These countries do not want to become members of the European Union. But we must also have a model for countries that are not yet members of the EU. But this idea needs to be elaborated. For me it is important that this model is understood as a station along the road to the European Union. These countries will be able to decide for themselves whether they want to join or prefer to stay there forever, such as EEA countries, which do not intend to join. In this case we would have an associate membership. This is a model that implies in the title that these countries already belong to the EU. This associate membership can be expanded for example by participating in the common market, or by parts of the chapters that are open or closed. It is possible to participate in the internal market, or customs union. This model still needs to be elaborated, but I think it is a credible European perspective.

You did not mention the Western Balkans. Would the countries of the Western Balkans be part of this model?

I prefer to talk about Southeast Europe or the Balkan countries rather than the Western Balkans. There are countries like Slovenia and Croatia, which are already members of the European Union, countries with which we are already negotiating, such as Serbia and Montenegro, countries that are ante portas (entering, ed.), Ie , towards the opening of membership negotiations, which, as you know, are Albania and Northern Macedonia. There are also countries like Kosovo and Bosnia and Herzegovina, which can not be given any guarantee perspective at the moment. So we are dealing with different situations. So this model also applies to the Balkan countries, so that they too get something during the negotiation process and are given the signal: You will enter the EU, although this may take ca. Let me remind you that the last country to join the EU, Croatia, had been negotiating with the EU for 8 and a half years.

You had a meeting today with the Prime Minister of Albania, Edi Rama. What was the purpose of this meeting?

The purpose of this meeting was for Mr. Rama to get acquainted with the chairman of the CDU and the CDU / CSU parliamentary group, Friedrich Merz. But the meeting was also attended by longtime companions of Albanian processes, such as Joe Wadephul and me. Rama invited Friedrich Merz to come to Albania or make a trip to the Balkan countries. And he is not only open and interested, but plans to visit the region. We also talked about the progress of reforms in the country, which I personally consider distinct. Let us recall here the justice reform, vetting. So many things have moved in a positive direction in recent years. If it were not so, we would not accept the opening of negotiations. It is not Albania’s fault that these have been delayed, but Bulgaria’s blockade of Northern Macedonia. And we can call on Bulgaria to resolve its bilateral disputes, because they have nothing to do with EU membership negotiations.

Mr Rama has said that if Bulgaria does not lift its blockade on northern Macedonia, it will seek secession. Do you support this?

We as a parliamentary group have decided that these two countries should be together. But I have the impression that Bulgaria is moving. That’s my impression now. I very much hope that we can overcome this obstacle as well.

And finally, I wanted to ask you about the situation within the Democratic Party in Albania. Your group has always been attentive to the internal situation in Albania, except in recent months.

First, I am very sorry for the developments in the DP and I am not the only one. Of course it is a matter of the party itself who wants to elect a leader. It is not up to us to intervene. But it also means for us and for me personally, that I will continue to work and support the DP only if a far-sighted signal is given in the selection of the mayor. If it will not be so, but there will be a return to yesterday, if not the day before yesterday, then this can not find my personal support. In such a case, I would commit to suspend membership procedures at the level of the European People’s Party. Because we, as the European People’s Party, must move forward.

So, you will reject the DP, if Sali Berisha comes at its head?

I believe I expressed myself clearly as I said it. The party needs to make a wise decision and consider the effect on the international plan, if it really follows the claim that it not only wants to cooperate internationally, but also to take over the running of the country. This is the legitimate goal of a party in a democracy: to come to power and form a government. I think the Americans have found clear words and I think the party does well not to leave such words unheard./DW

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