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Albania on track for EU integration – 'We are EU Talibans,' says Edi Rama
🇬🇷 Greece /Economy & Trade

Albania on track for EU integration – 'We are EU Talibans,' says Edi Rama

From Ta Nea · () Greek

Translated from Greek, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

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  • Albania has taken a significant step in its EU accession process by fulfilling intermediate criteria for "fundamental chapters."
  • This progress opens the door for provisional closure of negotiation chapters, accelerating the country's path toward membership.
  • Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama expressed strong commitment to the EU, stating "We are EU Talibans," and anticipates full membership within a decade.

Albania has marked a pivotal moment in its journey toward European Union membership, successfully meeting the intermediate assessment criteria for the crucial "fundamental chapters." This achievement, recognized at the 8th Accession Conference in Brussels under Cyprus's presidency, positions Albania as the second candidate country, following Montenegro, to reach this stage. The progress paves the way for the provisional closure of negotiation chapters in the upcoming phase of talks.

During the conference, EU Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos noted a significant acceleration in Albania's accession process. She highlighted that 11 chapters have been closed since December 2024, a stark contrast to the mere five closed in the preceding decade. Kos reiterated the European Commission's support for Albania's goal of completing negotiations by the end of 2027. Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama conveyed strong optimism, emphasizing that Albania has no alternative plan beyond its European perspective. "We are EU Talibans," Rama declared, underscoring the nation's unwavering dedication to the EU.

We are EU Talibans.

— Edi RamaAlbanian Prime Minister Edi Rama's statement emphasizing the country's absolute orientation towards the EU.

Rama also pointed to substantial economic growth, noting a remarkable increase in Albania's GDP and a multiplication of foreign investments in recent years. He expressed confidence that Albania could become a full EU member within the next decade. The discussion also touched upon German Chancellor Friedrich Merz's letter suggesting a special "associated member" status for Ukraine and varied integration formulas for other candidates. Cypriot Deputy Minister for European Affairs Marilena Raouna stressed the need for equal treatment of all candidate states, while Kos viewed Merz's intervention as a "positive contribution" to the enlargement process debate.

We are EU Talibans.

— Edi RamaAlbanian Prime Minister Edi Rama's statement emphasizing the country's absolute orientation towards the EU.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Ta Nea in Greek. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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