European Union refused to start Albania’s membership negotiations as the government failed to implement judicial and electorate recommendations in consultation with other relevant partners. Turkey filled out the political vacuum by formalizing strategic cooperation between the two countries. In return, strong personal relations with Prime Minister Rama and his control over the parliament gave Turkish President Erdogan a chance to further its agenda on fighting political enemies abroad. Thus, lifting the EU halt on accession negotiations with Albania may confront Turkey’s political agenda while incorporating the EU fundamental values into the country.
On March 25th, 2020, the Council adopted conclusions on opening negotiations with Albania. The adopted findings proposed negotiation’s beginning once the country implements the Venice Commission/OSCE recommendations, secures the Constitutional Court and the High Court functionality, and establishes the anti-corruption and organized crime specialized structures. However, Prime Minister Rama adopted amendments to the Constitution and the Electoral Code without consulting other political partners, non-governmental organizations, or the Venice Commission/OSCE recommendations. The adopted amendments introduced a 1% national electoral threshold, joint list coalitions, and parties compiling pre-ranked candidates. Contrary, the opposition insisted on open voting lists, electoral administration according to the Venice Commission/OSCE recommendations, and emigrants’ voting rights. On October 6th, 2020, the European Commission’s Albania 2020 Report recognized some progress in improving election administration without changing the system overall. Consequently, the EU placed a halt on Albania’s membership negotiations.
With the halt on EU accession in place, Prime Minister Rama decided to strengthen relations with Turkey. On January 7th, 2021, he signed a partnership agreement with Turkish President Erdogan on culture, education, health, construction, and infrastructure cooperation. The partnership agreement formalized the two countries’ collaboration on a strategic level via the High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council, following the military cooperation agreement from August 2020, where Albania agreed to buy Turkish-made products and services. Besides investments in designated fields, both sides agreed to confront the Gülen Movement. As a result, President Erdogan enhanced his political influence on a strategic level accompanying his country’s leverage in the banking, telecommunications, and cultural sectors. Turkish Calik Group owns 26% market share as the largest bank in Albania and mobile operator Eagle Mobile, accompanying the fixed-line telephone company Albtelekom. Furthermore, the Turkish Diyanet Foundation, linked to the state Religious Affairs Directorate (Diyanet), financed the Namazgah Mosque construction in Tirana as a symbol of brotherhood between Albania and Turkey.
With the new strategic agreement in place, Turkish President Erdogan has an even more substantial influence on Albania’s internal affairs. In essence, this agreement is securing him Rama’s political support in confronting the Gülen Movement, designated as a terrorist organization by the official Ankara. However, the upcoming parliamentary elections in April might result in the pro-EU opposition’s victory, reducing Rama’s influence. As a result, a genuine judicial and electorate reform may introduce the EU fundamental values into the country, reducing Erdogan’s impact on fighting his political enemies in Albania.