Berisha: We must create a special working group for cartels, Edi Rama’s narco-state has become a major threat

The chairman of the Democratic Party, Sali Berisha, has proposed the establishment of a special working group on drug cartels and crime and their ties to the government.

In his speech at the General Assembly of the IDC-CDI, the largest centre-right political organization in the world, where he serves as vice-president, Berisha declared that Edi Rama’s narco-state has become a major threat to the country and that Albania no longer holds elections, but only electoral farces.

The Democratic Party leader also stressed that the reports of the IDU, CDI, EPP and AFET have been very useful in shedding light on the dramatic developments in my country.

Full statement:

“Mr. President, First of all, I wish to thank you and the CDI for the very precious and unwavering support you have given to the Democratic Party of Albania and my country. Your support has been a great help. Equally important has been the support of the EPP, the IDU, and the AFET reports. The reports of the IDU, CDI, EPP, and AFET have been very useful in shedding light on the dramatic developments in my country. Albania is one of the most powerful narco-states in the world. It is governed by a criminal organization.

I would like to draw your attention to just one piece of data, so you can understand where my country stands. In Albania, the euro, one of the largest and strongest currencies on the planet, has depreciated by 32% over the past 10 years. In Mexico, this depreciation is 17%. Meanwhile, the only other depreciation of the euro in Europe has occurred in Switzerland, about 10% or 8%, with an economy of 1 trillion euros. Whereas Albania’s economy is only 15 billion euros.

Albania is the largest exporter of cannabis in Europe, while Albanian drug cartels are the largest transporters of cocaine from Latin American countries to Europe, certainly, and perhaps to other destinations as well.

Our ports are entirely in the hands of drug cartels. Entirely. For five years or more, not a single kilogram of drugs has been seized in our ports, because they are controlled by the drug cartels. The drug cartels in my country have in their hands all construction permits and full control over coastal areas. A few days ago, as you may be aware, a very powerful popular movement has been developing in my country during this period.

But a few days ago a special book was published entitled ‘The Red Book, Albania’s Secret Files’. This book deals with 523 major projects in Albania’s most beautiful landscapes, on the coast or in mountainous areas, which no one knew about. The prime minister, the head of the criminal organization, considers the country as his own estate, like a sultan of centuries past, who can decide on everything. Most of these projects have been taken out of protected areas.

Therefore, Mr. President, I believe that our organizations should create a special working group on drug cartels, narco-states and trafficking. This would be a very great help, because such countries are not only dangerous for themselves, but they are dangerous for the region and even beyond. I will not go on any longer, because time is limited. But I consider that in my country there are no elections; there is only farce. They decide on everything. Thank you very much for your attention.”