On a visit to Albania on Thursday 13 March, European Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos held talks with Prime Minister Edi Rama, as well as the chief negotiator with the EU, Majlinda Dhuka, and Speaker of the Parliament Elisa Spiropali. As expected, the discussions largely revolved around Albania’s accession to the European Union and the reforms undertaken by the country to this end.
“I have come here to show you Europe’s full support”, she declared at a joint press conference with the Albanian prime minister.
“Your goal of EU integration by the end of the decade is not only ambitious, it is also realistic. There are good prospects for opening several clusters, the second and third at the beginning of this year, and the remainder by next year“, said the commissioner.
Edi Rama, for his part, reiterated the “need“ for his country to accede to EU membership. In his view, “there is no other alternative” for Tirana’s future.
The commissioner had already expressed great enthusiasm for the progress made by Albania, which at this stage is the most advanced country in the process, even if many reforms still need to be implemented (see EUROPE 13548/8).
While the European Commission has accelerated the accession process for the Western Balkans, several Member States and a number of MEPs are advocating caution and the need to maintain an approach based on merit and results (see EUROPE 13557/5). (Original version in French by Isalia Stieffatre)