Fatmir Mediu, former Minister of Defense at the time of the Gerdec tragedy and today chairman of the Republican Party, has warned that the Balkans could be one of the next fronts of Russian tensions if the war in Ukraine ends or enters another phase.
In an interview on A2 CNN, Mediu referred to a meeting with US Congressman Keith Self, where, according to him, the alarm was raised for the region.
"When we were in a meeting with Mr. Sali Berisha, with Mr. Keith Self, he said that if the Ukraine issue ends quickly or is resolved, the Balkans' turn will come, but don't expect them to have the same positions as before," said Mediu.
According to him, this is an alarm that Albanian politics is not reading properly. Mediu accused the government of being more focused on maintaining power than on the national interest, linking this to the situation in Tirana.
"This is an alarm, but we do not want to read this alarm. Because the decision-making centers of the executive power look more at the interest of the government and not to give any opportunity for normal development to Albania, to Albanians, or to our national interest. This is a big problem especially for Tirana," he said.
Mediu then brought up Serbia as an example, saying that Belgrade invests over 3% of its budget in defense, even though, according to him, there is no direct threat. He linked this to Serbia's relations with Russia and China.
"Why does Serbia invest over 3% of its budget in defense, at a time when there is no threat and it is in relations with China and Russia? Congressmen had the same conclusion in the hearing that was held," said Mediu.
According to him, Albania is in a more fragile position due to corruption, drug trafficking and the lack of free elections, while Serbia has "much more definite" geopolitical support.
Mediu's warning comes in the tone of a politician who sees danger at Europe's borders and weakness within the country. The irony is that the former Defense Minister, whose name remains linked to one of the most serious wounds to internal security in Albania: Gërdec, is speaking about national security.
