On Monday 28 August, Albania’s Prime Minister, Edi Rama, called on the EU to support candidate countries, after the President of the European Council, Charles Michel, said earlier in the day at the Bled Strategic Forum that the EU must prepare for enlargement by 2030 (see EUROPE 13237/8).
“We need to provide not only the necessary reforms and criticism, but also the most consistent support possible. And I’m not just talking from a financial point of view, but also in terms of access for our companies to the market”, declared Mr Rama, estimating that most of the investments made in the country come from third countries such as China or the United States.
“We still have 20 years of Euro-optimism and I hope that by then you will have kept your promise”, he added, calling for the EU to carry out internal reforms as well.
Albania has been a candidate for EU membership since June 2014. In their latest report on the country, adopted by the European Parliament’s Committee on 12 July, MEPs welcomed Tirana’s commitment to EU membership, while calling for reforms to strengthen the rule of law, the fight against corruption and media freedom to be stepped up (see EUROPE 13221/6). (Original version in French by Thomas Mangin)