Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama, after attending the Berlin Process Summit in London, traveled to Berlin to participate in the “Berlin Global Dialogue” international forum.
During his speech, Rama highlighted Albania’s progress in the EU integration process, noting that the country has had a successful year in this regard.
He revealed that in recent months, five out of six EU negotiation chapters have been opened, and the final chapter is expected to open soon, which he described as a record achievement for Albania.
Rama emphasized that Russia’s aggression against Ukraine has awakened Europe, making the EU take the strategic importance of the Western Balkans more seriously.
He added that Albania is moving faster than before in the integration process and that relations with the EU are now more concrete than ever. Rama described the Western Balkans as the “hub of Europe”, stressing that the EU needs the region as much as the region needs the EU.
“We’ve had a good year if we put it in the context of Europe and how things are going. In recent months, we’ve opened 5 out of 6 chapters and expect to open the last chapter soon, which will set a record. Europe has awakened, and for such an awakening, a Russian aggression against Ukraine was necessary. Previously, the EU said the Western Balkans were very important, but that was only in words; now we have it in deeds. Albania has opened and closed chapters much faster than before… In a way, we are the hub of the EU. I strongly believe for all these good reasons that the EU needs the Western Balkans just as we need the EU. The high pressure coming from Russian aggression keeps the EU very focused on this aspect,” said Prime Minister Edi Rama.
