Interview of Chargé d’Affaires David Wisner
Panorama: Mr. Wisner, you are concluding your mandate in Albania. How was it?
David Wisner: It has been an amazing year, filled with important work, memorable trips around your beautiful country from north to south, with memories of just excellent food, and above all, so many new friendships made. We were proud to welcome Secretary of State Blinken in February and to build on our partnerships in democracy, defense, and business. We are proud to support Albania’s justice reform, which just celebrated eight years since the approval in parliament. We continue to see justice institutions become more capable, more independent, and even more accountable. We are proud to be Albania’s partners in this effort that is vital for its democracy and its eventual place in the EU. We also saw increased defense ties, both bilaterally but also in terms of our partnership as NATO Allies. And we continue to make progress on enhancing business ties and bringing more investment in both countries – big American companies are looking at new investments here and we hope those will be soon realized. To sum it up, it’s been a true privilege to help build upon our excellent partnership.
Panorama: One thing that you and the Embassy have talked frequently about is NATO and more recently the NATO Summit. How do you explain that?
David Wisner: At the core of it, safety is a key concern for every human being. Every Albanian wants to be safe, wants their family to be safe, wants their children’s future to be safe and prosperous. And NATO provides precisely that, the safety that derives from Article 5, that an attack on one is an attack on all. A safe, stable country, connected with others who share its values, is one that can flourish – aided by the free flow of trade, tourists, and investment that stability bring. Albanians understand that, having left behind the isolation of the past and embraced the collective security and shared values of democracy that NATO stands for. Now, 15 years since joining the Alliance, Albania is making solid contributions, be it through KFOR troops in Kosovo, its light infantry battalion, its world-class explosive ordinance removal units, its Special Forces, and much more. America is safer because of NATO. Albania is safer because of NATO. Europe is safer because of NATO. That is why 68 percent of Albanians agree that Albania should meet its pledge to contribute two percent of GDP to defense spending. That is why 90 percent of Albanians think that their country’s future is best served by being a part of NATO. Considering the challenge posed by Russia – and by the People’s Republic of China because of its support of the Russian war effort – now more than ever members of the Alliance need to be committed politically, financially, and militarily to making sure NATO can take on the challenges of our time.
Panorama: The NATO Summit just concluded in Washington, DC, and we have seen the highest levels of the U.S. government call it a success. Can you explain why?
David Wisner: We firmly believe this was one of the most successful summits NATO has ever held. The world saw that NATO is bigger, stronger, more united than ever, and ready to defend our future. Leaders took steps to ensure that NATO is ready to defend every inch of NATO territory, including significant new initiatives to strengthen capabilities also by investing in defense industrial production. Second, Allies made historic progress on burden-sharing, with a record 23 Allies meeting or exceeding the commitment to spend at least 2 percent of GDP on defense, including Albania which has pledged to do so by the end of this year. Thirdly, with the understanding that Russia remains the most significant and direct threat to the security of NATO Allies and to peace and stability in the Euro-Atlantic region, the Alliance provided a robust package of support to enable Ukraine to prevail against Russia’s invasion and move forward on an irreversible path to NATO membership. Lastly, the Allies recognized the growing connection between security in the Euro-Atlantic region and security in the Indo-Pacific region and sent a clear message that the People’s Republic of China’s support for the Russian war machine will have consequences for its relationship with the Euro-Atlantic community.
Panorama: Were you consulted on the recently approved legislation about the production of weapons and ammunitions? That is one of the topics addressed at the NATO Summit.
David Wisner: At the NATO summit, Allies declared that Transatlantic defense industrial cooperation is a critical part of NATO’s deterrence and defense; therefore, Allies agreed to a new NATO Industrial Capacity Expansion Pledge. Defense industrial efforts to produce essential capabilities enhance our collective ability to meet NATO’s defense plans in a timely manner. Albania’s national efforts toward these goals are welcomed.
Panorama: What are the priority issues that your successor will find on your desk?
David Wisner: As I said in the beginning, our priorities are clear, and they are determined by the highest levels in Washington. These include support for Albania’s democracy – with the joint work on strengthening democratic institutions and the rule of law, including through the irreversible implementation of justice reform and the vital fight against corruption; defense, including through the increased bilateral ties and as NATO Allies; and business, through working to develop real opportunities for American and Albanian businesses to create needed jobs and make Albania more prosperous for all of its citizens.
Panorama: And who is your successor?
David Wisner: As Ambassador Nominee David Kostelancik awaits confirmation by the United States Senate, my successor will be a skilled diplomat, Nancy VanHorn. She brings a major experience to Tirana, having worked in Ukraine, Armenia, and Russia among other assignments. I have worked with her and can speak firsthand to her talent, dedication, and commitment to the U.S.-Albanian partnership. In closing, allow me to once again thank Albania and Albanians for a memorable year here. My family and I have been touched by your hospitality and the friendship that all of you demonstrate for Americans. We are proud of that friendship. Faleminderit. (Panorama newspaper)