Shaban Murati: Croatia Is Albania’s Principal Ally In EU – OpEd

Ambassador Shaban Murati has conducted extensive research on Albanian Foreign Policy and about its strategic allies in Southeast Europe, particularly the steadily growing partnership between Tirana and Zagreb.

On November 15, 2023, the Çamëria “Hasan Tahsini” Foundation promoted in Tirana Shaban Murati’s emblematic book entitled: “Albania and Croatia, the Necessary Alliance” [“Aleanca e duhur Shqipëri -Kroaci”], where the Former President of Croatia Stjepan “Stipe” Mesić delivered a supportive message, together with Prof. Dr. Bamir Topi, a former president of Albania.

According to Chairman of Çamëria “Hasan Tahsini” Foundation, Mr. Alket Veliu: “This book is coming out at a very critical and positive period on the relations between Croatia and Albania.” Veliu praised Murati’s commitment towards strengthening the presence of Albanian Foreign Service in the region and forging lasting ties between the Governments of Albania and Croatia, over the last twenty years. 

On this historic event, Chairman Alket Veliu presented former president Stipe Mesić with the Silver Medal “Great Supporter of Albanian Nation.”   

“Albania and Croatia, the Necessary Alliance” [“Aleanca e duhur Shqipëri-Kroaci”], is the first and only book written by an Albanian expert on International Relations, that is exclusively focused on the current relations between Croatia and Albania and on the ongoing diplomatic endeavors, international negotiations and pragmatic role of Croatia in the Balkans since its proclamation of independence on June 25, 1991, until today.

This book contains professional diplomatic analysis of Shaban Murati, written over the last twenty years, dedicated exclusively to the Foreign Policy of Croatia and its application in the Balkans region, tackling Zagreb’s relations with the other countries of Southeast Europe, including Albania.

The analysis portrayed is focused on the most significant developments of Croatian Diplomacy and Foreign Policy, and its positive role in the solution of conflicts and regional disagreements, while preserving a long-term stability in the region.

A principal axis in ambassador Murati’s analysis are the special relations between Albania and Croatia, a partnership that he evaluates in a wider diplomatic context, history, geopolitical and strategic concepts, empowering the elevation of strategic relations between Albania and Croatia.

His personal experience as a top-notch diplomat has been reflected upon the research and analysis in this book, emphasizing a more realist and efficient Albanian Foreign Policy forged within a strategic alliance with the Croatian state, both nations are members of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization and a historical friendship is consolidated over the centuries, especially revealed through the writing of Milan Šufflay, a renowned Albanologist and linguist.

The Diplomatic Interest and geopolitical perception of Ambassador Shaban Murati pays a special interest on Albania’s need to establish a strong strategic alliance with Croatia, given the fact that Edi Rama’s administration has shifted course and developed greater economic and political relations with Serbia, allowing the latter to further encroach its expansionist agenda, revanchism, subversive operations across the rest of Southeast Europe.

Murati reveals the intricate aspects of delicate and sensitive, tepid relations that exist between Croatia and Serbia, during the post war period, the relations between Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina, and cooperation between Croatia and Slovenia, are solid arguments as to why Albania should immediately shift course and establish a greater multi-layered cooperation framework with the Croatian Government. 

Kosova is another chapter that fundamentally encompasses a greater engagement of Albania with Croatia, towards preserving democratic societies and increasing the level of regional security through closer cooperation.   

Ambassador Shaban Murati maintains the intellectual posture that Yugoslavia’s crisis continues to brew, many conflicts and inter-ethnic tensions are vivid and demand cohesive solutions, the Serbian chauvinism against all people of the Balkans, as well as Europe’s indulging policies towards Belgrade, make this scenario rather complicated to solve in the short term. 

According to Arta Dade, Albania’s former Minister of Foreign Affairs (2001 – 2002); “Ambassador Murati’s book reflects his deep understanding about this region, especially the relations of European Union with the Balkans, including the role of every country on these multilateral organizations. I have always valued his collaboration while serving as a director of regional affairs, during my tenure as MFA. Murati’s guidance is undoubtedly a point of reference as to where Albania should prioritize its foreign policy implementation and shape a new posture towards its traditional, regional allies.”

According to Prof. Dr. Beqir Ismaili, Director of Diplomatic Academy in Kosova’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Diaspora: “Ambassador Murati and his research in IR are guiding the new generation of diplomats in a very important field that has so many ramifications in regional politics and global security issues.”

On October 2^nd, 2023, President Zoran Milanović held a meeting with the Prime Minister of the Republic of Albania Mr. Edi Rama, who was on an official visit to the Republic of Croatia.

During his visit to Zagreb, Prime Minister Edi Rama held an extensive meeting with Prime Minister Andrej Plenković; the latter recalled that “trade cooperation between the two countries reached EUR 170 million but both neighboring nations are deeply interested to further develop the economic cooperation.” The two PMs also discussed cooperation in the energy sector and infrastructure projects with an emphasis on the Adriatic-Ionian Corridor.

Prime Minister Plenković stated that “Croatia has decided to finance the construction of the corridor running through its territory, while Tirana is in the process of signing a contract for the main segment of the corridor through Albania.”

Plenković emphasized once again that Croatia remains a strong and consistent supporter of Albania’s path to the EU: “This is the time when Putin’s aggression against Ukraine accelerated the enlargement process, EU looks at it in a completely different way,” the Croatian Prime Minister concluded. PM Rama’s official visit to Zagreb is a matter of paramount importance in contemporary Albanian Foreign Policy, whereas Tirana and Zagreb have a growing potential for cooperation and must work together to reduce the impacts of geopolitical recession, harness bilateral economic growth and industrial development.