During his New York visit, Prime Minister Sali Berisha answered to media interest on the CNN International about the economic crisis in Europe and Albania aspiration for EU membership.

CNN: Economic crisis is not just a battle of Greece. 750 thousand Albanian emigrants in the country are sending to their families less remittances and many of them are coming back home. The remittances are important for the Albanian economy. By 2009 the remittances consisted of 9% of the GDP. The economic growth is reduced from about 6% prior the economic crisis of 2008 into 3.5% during the current year, but compared with growth in the EU, where it is only 0.2%, on the last trimester, things don’t seem to be bad. Why Albania is so eager to join the EU, in such turmoil. I asked PM Berisha earlier.

PM Berisha: I remain quite focused as the EU integration is the top priority of my country. We shall make the utmost to achieve what is required: standards, norms, practices so that to deserve it. I consider the process totally based on merit.

CNN: Why should Albania be part of a space that is actually under a 'dangerous new phase,' as appreciated by the IMF? It may pass a decade of lost economic growth. Why should Albania join it?

PM Berisha: It is true that the crisis is serious, but I have deep trust that the European nations have all the potential to overcome it and Albania has no reason to slack up its efforts for European integration because of the crisis. I believe that Euro, irrespective of the difficulties over the time being, will be kept perhaps as one of the best parts of Europe heritage of all times.