From Albania’s progress toward the EU, to justice and reforms! The messages Ursula von der Leyen gave Tirana and the Albanians

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen praised Albania’s progress in the European Union integration process, describing the country as one of the states advancing the most in this process.

At the joint press conference with Prime Minister Edi Rama in Tirana, von der Leyen highlighted the results achieved over the past year, but underlined that Albania must continue with reforms and their full implementation.

Von der Leyen also praised Albania’s results under the EU Growth Plan, announcing that the country has fulfilled over 80% of the envisaged steps and has benefited from 213 million euros from the European Union. She also mentioned Albania’s inclusion in SEPA and the process for lowering roaming charges.

“It is a great pleasure to return to Tirana. My experience is such that Albanians keep Europe in their hearts. Albania is among the leading countries in our integration process.

I come every year to see the progress and, after a year, Albania has done a fantastic job with the progress. Very important progress, because it means that we see the world through the same eyes.

I want to convey to Albanian and European citizens the fact that Albania’s membership will not only make Albania stronger, but also the EU.

But keep your focus, because there is still work to do,” she said.

The European Commission President also dwelled on the reforms Albania must continue, singling out the judicial system and environmental protection. According to her, what matters is not only the adoption of reforms, but also their implementation, so that they bring concrete changes for citizens.

“Further reforms are needed in the chapters that have been opened, the judicial framework, environmental protection, Albania’s stunning nature. The reforms should be implemented in full; it is important that they bring changes to the citizens of Albania.

My third message concerns our growth results. What are the principles?

We bring EU investments and, as you get ready to enter the EU, you adopt and take the reforms you need, so that companies are competitive in the European market.

Albania is doing very well as regards the Growth Plan. You have fulfilled over 80% of the steps, you have received 213 million euros from the EU. We have achieved good results. You have become part of SEPA.

We are trying to lower roaming charges. This is an opportunity for people to draw closer to one another. I will return to Albania when we achieve free roaming, I promise you.

My last message is that you are preparing here, but we are preparing too,” she said.

Von der Leyen also stressed that Albania’s EU membership process will be based on merit. She said that for the countries that have made the greatest progress, concrete roadmaps will be set, which will define the steps to be followed on the road to membership.

“We will examine the institutions, policies and finances to see whether we are ready to welcome new members. We will also set roadmaps so that the EU’s values and the rule of law continue after membership as well.

Membership will be based on merit, but that does not mean it is a slow process. We will set roadmaps for the countries that have made the greatest progress, and Albania is one of them.

These roadmaps will turn the road to membership into concrete steps, what you need to do and what remains afterwards.

Tomorrow we will visit the ‘Emin Duraku’ school. When you were hit by the earthquake in 2019, I told you that Europe would stand by you. We did that.

Under the EU programme for schools, 63 schools have been rebuilt, such as ‘Emin Duraku’, which welcome and educate a new generation of Europeans,” von der Leyen said, among other things.