TIRANA, May 20 – The President of the European Council, Charles Michel was on an official visit to Tirana where he was received by Prime Minister Edi Rama on the Central Boulevard ‘Skenderbeg’ in downtown Tirana on Friday.
After a tete-a-tete meeting Michel and Rama held a joint press conference. Michel stated, among other things, that the first intergovernmental conference with the EU should be held as soon as possible. According to him, the coming weeks will be crucial.
Prime Minister Rama stated that during the meeting with Michel they talked about the Open Balkans, all the internal challenges of the region and the reforms in the country.
“We talked with President Michel about the general situation and the commitments, but also about the challenges in relation to the war in Ukraine,” Rama said, adding that they definitely talked about the process on the eve of the European Council when it is known that Albania and North Macedonia are on agenda for the issue of opening the pending accession talks with the Union.
The PM revealed they discussed the Open Balkans, all the internal challenges of the region and of course the reforms in Albania.
“We talked about the Justice Reform that is bearing fruits. Everyone followed the very significant operation of the special police and the State Police to crack down on a criminal network on Thursday. The operation was a meaningful example to bring people to justice despite the political connections that show that not only are we on the right track but we have taken significant steps compared to countries that have opened negotiations,” Rama said.
For his part Michel said Albania has met all the conditions for opening accession negotiations and, according to him, accession talks should start as soon as possible.
Below full remarks by President Charles Michel:
Thank you Prime Minister, dear Edi Rama, for your warm welcome. It is a real pleasure to be back here in Albania.
Since my last visit in early 2020 a lot has changed: the COVID-19 crisis and Russia’s war against Ukraine. But one thing has not changed and never will. That is our firm commitment to Albania’s accession path towards the European Union.
This is a crucial moment to meet with a close ally, partner and friend. As we speak, Russia is attacking the sovereign nation of Ukraine. We have imposed five rounds of unprecedented sanctions to keep up the economic pressure on the Kremlin to severely reduce its ability to finance its war. Since day one, Europe and its allies have stood united in support of Ukraine. I would like to thank you, dear Prime Minister, for your country’s strong support. And thank you for your work more globally, in particular this year as a member of the UN Security Council. You have been a committed and reliable EU partner and friend.
We also discussed our EU-Albania relationship. Albania is part of our European family. And the EU remains Albania’s biggest trading partner and largest provider of financial assistance. It is more important than ever to re-energise the enlargement process. Today’s challenges are forcing us to think beyond the traditional models for innovative ways of thinking and innovative ways of working. And creating new incentives for reforms to accelerate EU integration.
We are working to provide tangible benefits for all Albanians and for all our partners in the region. That means already accelerating integration now rather than waiting until accession negotiations are fully completed. In June, and you mentioned it, we will organise a meeting of the 27 EU leaders in Brussels with you and the other Western Balkan leaders. Albania has met all the conditions for opening accession negotiations. Accession talks should start as soon as possible.
Later today, I will visit the National History Museum and see the ongoing work at the Mosaic. The restoration of the Mosaic is a powerful symbol of Albania’s rich cultural heritage. And of the EU’s commitment to Albania.
After the disastrous earthquake, I said that you can count on us to help rebuild and move ahead stronger than ever. The EU raised more than 1 billion euros to help rebuild schools and other key infrastructure. You can continue to count on us. Just as we count on you.
Thank you again, dear Edi, for your warm welcome and thank you again for our close partnership and friendship. I am confident that the following weeks will be key in order, I hope, to take together the right decisions, the fair decisions that are needed in order to build our common future. Thank you.”
Albania is expecting to receive a ‘yes’ on holding its first Intergovernmental Conference. Rama warned before Michel’s visit that he will change the course towards EU integration, in absence of any positive developments in the upcoming June meeting.
“President Charles Michel will come here but these are not decisive days for Albania. I don’t see anything decisive in regards to this fact,” said PM Rama after his visit to Germany on Thursday.
“This is a process by which we are already accustomed to how it works. What’s decisive for Albania is to pursue the reforms,” said Rama upon his return from Berlin. /Argumentum.al
