What is the influence of EU on our country's security? 60 56.77 52.8 50 40 30 22.69 20 16.32 19.2818.24 10 0 Very positive Positive 5.38 5.07 Neutral 2019 Negative 2020 0.99 0.53 Very negative 1.26 0.71 Don’t know Graph 7: Perception of EU influence on Albania’s security. Nevertheless, the line of argument here is that Albania and the Western Balkans in general are Turkey's door to the EU and it does not seek an alternative integration model to that of the EU. Instead, Turkey's role and influence need to be analysed more in the frame of its capacity to affect the domestic processes in the Balkans, which favour its temporary interests. Unlike its strong connections with Turkey, Albania’s diplomatic relations with China follow quite a different path. In the past three decades, they can be characterized as formal and with limited visits at the highest level. The‘business as usual’ approach has prevailed at the bilateral level, and both countries follow a diametrical positioning on many foreign policy issues, including the issue of Kosovo’s independence. As long as China has no intention to recognize Kosovo as an independent country, no breakthrough can be expected. However, Albania presents an opportunity for China’s agenda in Europe, and by following a low profile, the Chinese political pragmatism and long-term economic interests have resulted in a certain level of investment penetration in the country. 6F 7 Generally, the Chinese companies are reputed in Albania as reliant business partners, and all political parties show a positive inclination vis-a-vis China. The influence of China in Albania’s security is assessed in positive terms by the respondents, beyond expectations. When we compare the barometer’s data over the last two years, it emerges that there has been an 18-time increase in the percentage of Albanians considering China’s influence as 7 Anika Abazi,“Albania. New geopolitics and shifting linkages”, in Florian Bieber& Nikolaos Tzifakis(ed.), The Western Balkans in the World: Linkages and Relations with Non-Western Countries, Routledge, London, 2019. 14