The High Representative for the Union, Kaja Kallas, visited Albania on Tuesday 8 April, the day after being in Montenegro (see EUROPE 13616/4), on her first tour of the Western Balkans since taking office.
In particular, she held talks with the President, Bajram Begaj, and the Prime Minister, Edi Rama, and took advantage of her presence in Tirana to open the first EU-Albania dialogue on security with the Albanian Defence and European Affairs Ministers.
According to the High Representative, Albania is “essential to the stability” of the Balkan region (see EUROPE 13599/4) and its cooperation with the EU must obviously go “beyond” simple security issues.
“You have an ambitious agenda: to close EU negotiations in the next two years”, Kaja Kallas recalled. “There are no shortcuts, and it’s vital to sustain the high pace of reforms if it is to see its future in the EU”.
Asked about the feasibility of Albania joining the EU in 2030, the High Representative confirmed that it was “possible” for this objective to become a reality, “provided that everyone pulls together”, particularly with regard to the Rule of law and the reforms needed to combat corruption.
Kaja Kallas travelled to Bosnia-Herzegovina at the end of the day to conclude her regional tour of the Western Balkans. (Original version in French by Isalia Stieffatre)